[Padgett]

Is only one number but uis repeated several places (plate on outside, chart under sink,...)
The VIN is made up of several sections and this may be what you are referring to:
"(a) The first section shall consist of three characters that occupy positions one through three (1-3) in the VIN. This section shall uniquely identify the manufacturer, make and type of the motor vehicle if its manufacturer produces 500 or more motor vehicles of its type annually. If the manufacturer produces less than 500 motor vehicles of its type annually, these characters along with the third, fourth and fifth characters of the fourth section shall uniquely identify the manufacturer, make and type of the motor vehicle. These characters reassigned in accordance with § 565.7(a)."

There are a number of years when TM produced less than 500 units hence the discrepancies in VINs from year to year. In simplest terms if the third digit is a "9" then it was a slow year. Anything else, a good one.