What is a window sticker?

A window sticker — officially the "Monroney label" — is the printed sheet the factory attaches to the window of every new vehicle. It has been federally required on new cars in the United States since the Monroney Act of 1958, and decades later it remains the single most authoritative summary of how a particular vehicle left the assembly line.

It lays out the standard equipment, the optional equipment and packages the original buyer selected, the EPA fuel-economy ratings, the warranty terms, the percentage of U.S./Canadian parts content, and the full price breakdown — base MSRP, each individual option, the destination charge, and the grand total. That original data is exactly what lets you confirm, years later, how a used vehicle was really configured.

Window sticker vs. build sheet

The two documents describe the same factory configuration in different ways. A window sticker is written for the buyer: plain equipment descriptions, fuel-economy ratings, warranty details, and a price breakdown right down to the destination charge.

A build sheet is the factory's own assembly record — the complete list of option codes a vehicle was built with, without pricing. WindowStickerVin.com returns the window sticker whenever one is on file, and automatically falls back to the build sheet when it isn't, so you always come away with the underlying factory data either way. For a deeper comparison, see our guide on window sticker vs. build sheet.

Why check your window sticker or build sheet?

Whether you're buying a used car, selling one, arranging insurance, or just settling a curiosity, the factory record is the most reliable way to confirm exactly how a vehicle was equipped the day it was built — far more dependable than a listing description or a faded memory.

It lets you verify the trim level, the engine and drivetrain, the option packages, and individual features, and it makes it easy to tell factory-installed equipment apart from anything a dealer or previous owner added afterward. For buyers especially, it's a quick way to make sure a seller's claims actually match how the vehicle left the line.

Can 21I verify the original factory configuration?

Engine & Fuel · 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe · 649 views · 8 replies

21I — Interior Color-Med Blue. This code identifies a factory configuration, production specification, engineering selection, or sales designation used by GM. Browse RPO codes →

Logan P. Mar 24, 2026 · Georgia

My 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe shows 21I: “Interior Color-Med Blue. This code identifies a factory configuration, production specification, engineering selection, or sales designation used by GM” The vehicle has had previous owners, so I am trying to separate factory equipment from later modifications. Is this code enough to confirm how it left the factory?

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8 replies

Grace H. Mar 28, 2026

I would avoid buying retrofit parts until the connectors and module support are confirmed. Returning electronic or VIN-programmed components can be difficult.

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Adam H. Mar 29, 2026

If the feature is listed but not working, scan all related modules before assuming it was removed. A stored fault, replacement module, or configuration mismatch can make original equipment appear absent.

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Monica J. Mar 30, 2026

That code should be read as a factory configuration identifier, not necessarily a guarantee of a separate dashboard control. Some equipment operates automatically or is bundled with another system.

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Tony N. Mar 31, 2026

I would start by checking the original build sheet and then compare the physical equipment on the vehicle. A sales or option code confirms the factory record, but it does not prove that every original component is still installed.

4 likes

Daniel C. Apr 3, 2026

If you are documenting the vehicle, save both the original wording and the readable explanation. That preserves the factory terminology while making the record understandable later.

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Grace C. Apr 3, 2026

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Jason T. Apr 4, 2026

Before buying, I would inspect the relevant component and take a photo of its label or part number. That often resolves whether the vehicle still has the factory configuration associated with 21I.

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Aaron M. Apr 5, 2026

That code should be read as a factory configuration identifier, not necessarily a guarantee of a separate dashboard control. Some equipment operates automatically or is bundled with another system.

5 likes

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