Can I track my new Toyota by VIN while it's on the way to the dealer?

I put down a deposit on a new Toyota and got the VIN from the dealer.

Is there a way to track where the car is in the process—whether it’s in assembly, at the port in Japan, on a ship, etc.—without having to call the dealer for updates?

Has anyone done this before?

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Austin said:
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Thanks, that worked! You can track it here if you have the dealer code and VIN:

https://smartpath.toyota.com/inventory/details?dealerCd=DEALER_CD&vin=VIN

@DukeJames4
How do I find the dealer code?

Zain said:
@DukeJames4
How do I find the dealer code?

The dealer code is a unique number that identifies the Toyota dealership.

Go to the Toyota Search Inventory page: Toyota Inventory | New Toyota Inventory Search and find any car at the dealership you want to track. Look at the URL—it will have something like this:

https://smartpath.toyota.com/inventory/details?source=t1&dealerCd=12346&vin=JTDBCMFE9S3077302&type=new

That number after ‘dealerCd=’ is the dealer code. Once you find it, use it with your VIN to track your car.

@DukeJames4
Got it, but when I use the dealer code and VIN in that link, it just says:

‘Availability and Monthly Payments cannot be confirmed at this time.’

Any idea why?

Zain said:
@DukeJames4
Got it, but when I use the dealer code and VIN in that link, it just says:

‘Availability and Monthly Payments cannot be confirmed at this time.’

Any idea why?

Double-check the VIN to make sure there are no typos. Also, it might not be in the system yet if it’s early in the shipping process.

I didn’t get a VIN when I put down a deposit on mine.

Tanaka said:
I didn’t get a VIN when I put down a deposit on mine.

That probably means production hasn’t started yet. As soon as the car is being built, a VIN will be assigned, and your dealer should give it to you.

For Canadians: unfortunately, we don’t have a way to track VINs like this.

Ziv said:
For Canadians: unfortunately, we don’t have a way to track VINs like this.

Is there any way to see dealer allocations in Canada?

We’re a month into a 4-6 month wait for a RAV4 Hybrid. Hoping to get it before the baby arrives, but it’s not looking great.

@Devin
There isn’t a way to check, and dealer allocations change constantly. If they told you 4-6 months, you might still be looking at a longer wait. Right now, I’m seeing 12+ months for some models, and I work at a CAT1 dealership (which gets the highest possible allocation).

I’d check with your salesperson for an updated estimate. Also, switching to a Highlander Hybrid or Sienna Hybrid won’t speed things up either—those are just as delayed.

@Devin
What they said is accurate. I’ve seen hybrid orders in Canada take anywhere from 12-18 months. If it goes beyond that, you might want to contact Toyota’s brand engagement center to see if they can help.

You’ll get the car when you get it. Just let your dealer update you.