2023 VIN

[Fishhawk23]

Hello,
I recently purchased a new 2023 XLT and noticed the VIN is dated 11/23. I was always under the impression that any vehicle built after September would be dated as the following year model. Has this changed, or would this have something to do with the UAW strike that ended in November 23?

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum.
I've never heard that and it wouldn't make sense to date a 2023 as a 2024 since the 2024 could have different features.

Peter

 

[Fishhawk23]

Welcome to the Forum.
I've never heard that and it wouldn't make sense to date a 2023 as a 2024 since the 2024 could have different features.

Peter

Since the 2023 and 2024 are exactly the same I can see this happening. And since the 2025 model is already at dealerships I'm even more perplexed. I doubt there will be any 2024 models purchased in early 2025 that will have a build date 11/24. So I'm back to my question. Did the strike have something to do with the late build date on my 2023?

 

[peterk9]

Since the 2023 and 2024 are exactly the same I can see this happening. And since the 2025 model is already at dealerships I'm even more perplexed. I doubt there will be any 2024 models purchased in early 2025 that will have a build date 11/24. So I'm back to my question. Did the strike have something to do with the late build date on my 2023?

The 2024 Explorer began production on Jan. 2, 2024. So only those built after that would have a VIN showing it was built in 2024. Yours, built in 2023 would have a VIN indicating that. The last strike began on Sept. 15th and ended on Oct. 25th, 2023 so, yes, that would have affected the production schedule.

Peter

 

[Fishhawk23]

The 2024 Explorer began production on Jan. 2, 2024. So only those built after that would have a VIN showing it was built in 2024. Yours, built in 2023 would have a VIN indicating that. The last strike began on Sept. 15th and ended on Oct. 25th, 2023 so, yes, that would have affected the production schedule.

Peter

I have to admit I was secretly hoping someone would get on the thread and say Ford made a mistake and I really have a 2024. Thanks for confirming my suspicions.

 

[mountaineer2004]

My VW was built in October 2013 and was sold as a 2014. I bought it in May of 2015...I guess no one wanted the old technology, but it's just what I wanted.

I had them change the oil on their dime, although they fought me on that...I simply kept repeating the VW specs that said oil needed to be changed once a year minimum.

I think it's really a 2013 because it has the 2.5 five cylinder engine and hydraulic power steering...the 2014 had the 1.8/2.0 turbo charged engines and electric power steering.

It does have the upgraded rear suspension that was new in 2014, so it's sort of a crazy hybrid car. When Mounty dies that'll be my main car.

 

[J_C]

Since the 2023 and 2024 are exactly the same...

I feel like I'm asking a question where there's a black hole, where we won't really know until someone discovers differences or a workshop manual is exactly the same for both, but how are you certain they are "exactly" the same?

Often there aren't any marketed differences between model years but still subtle differences. For one, AFAIK Ford dropped the civilian hybrid engine option for '24. Otherwise how are you certain? Somethings aren't obvious at first glance, like the difference between my '98 having a return fuel rail but a '99 doesn't, with same engine. Plus, sometimes changes even happen within the same model year, like my '98's ABS module is different than some other '98's, as is the radio without a clear designation it should be.

 

[blwnsmoke]

Hello,
I recently purchased a new 2023 XLT and noticed the VIN is dated 11/23. I was always under the impression that any vehicle built after September would be dated as the following year model. Has this changed, or would this have something to do with the UAW strike that ended in November 23?

The 2024 was supposed to be the refresh, not 2025. Ford delayed the refresh to MY2025 which means they then had to run the 2024 as the same as 2023. This messed up the whole production schedule and Ford extended the 2023s longer till theybran the 2024s for a few months