Free 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe VIN Decoder

How to decode a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter code that signifies the manufacturer of a vehicle as well as providing specific information about the vehicle type and its country of origin. The WMI is the initial segment of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which helps in identifying key characteristics of vehicles. For instance, Hyundai Motor Co., based in Seoul, South Korea, utilizes the WMI “KM8” for its multipurpose passenger vehicles, such as the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe. This particular combination indicates the vehicle was made by Hyundai in South Korea and falls under the category of multipurpose passenger vehicles. This coding system is crucial for vehicle registration, identification, and recall processes globally.

List of WMI Codes for a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe

WMI: KM8

• Model Years Covered: 2001-2007, 2013-2018, 2021-2023
• Example VIN: KM8SC73D02U173872
• Manufacturer Name: Hyundai Motor Co.
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City: Seoul Korea
• State or Province:
• Country: South Korea

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

• Engine type
• Transmission
• Model or trim
• Body style
• Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe:

Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.

Character 9 is the “check digit” in a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe VIN.

Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.

10th Character in the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe

The final 6 characters in a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially identifying a 2002 model, offering insights into the age and market value of the vehicle.
• Manufacturing Location: The VIN can highlight the vehicle’s place of assembly, possibly showing it was manufactured in Ulsan, South Korea, providing information about its origin.
• Vehicle Specifications: The VIN provides comprehensive details, such as the make being “Santa Fe”, indicating it is a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with a displacement of 2.7 liters and all-wheel drive (AWD) capability, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and capabilities.
• Drive Type: Through a VIN, one can discover the drive mechanism of a vehicle, for instance, in this instance, it is specified as AWD/All-Wheel Drive, potentially providing enhanced traction in various driving conditions.
• Fuel Type: The VIN may reveal the primary source of fuel, such as gasoline, potentially offering insights into the vehicle’s efficiency and environmental footprint.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The VIN defines the vehicle’s weight classification, potentially categorized within Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg), which can be crucial for understanding potential usage and regulatory implications.
• Safety Features and Body Type: Although not explicitly detailed here, a VIN can often give clues about the standard safety features associated with the model as well as the specific body type, such as a wagon body in this scenario, which can be inferred from the vehicle’s classification and series information, providing insights into the vehicle’s safety and structure.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe