Free 1997 Hyundai Sonata VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1997 Hyundai Sonata VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Hyundai Sonata VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code comprising the first three characters in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which signifies the vehicle’s manufacturer, its type, and the country of origin. For the 1997 Hyundai Sonata, the WMI “KMH” indicates the vehicle was produced by Hyundai Motor Co., a prominent car manufacturer based in South Korea. This code specifies that the vehicle falls under the category of a passenger car, denoting its primary function. The identification also locates the manufacturing city as Seoul, Korea, offering insights into where the vehicle was assembled. Understanding WMIs like that of the 1997 Hyundai Sonata is crucial for accurately tracing a vehicle’s history, authenticity, and specifications.

List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Hyundai Sonata

WMI: KMH

• Model Years Covered: 1989, 1997, 1999-2006, 2011-2024
• Example VIN: KMHCF24T9VU752349
• Manufacturer Name: Hyundai Motor Co.
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Seoul Korea
• State or Province:
• Country: South Korea

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1997 Hyundai Sonata 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 1997 Hyundai Sonata:

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 1997 Hyundai Sonata 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 1997 Hyundai Sonata VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1997 Hyundai Sonata VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1997 Hyundai Sonata Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Hyundai Sonata

The final 6 characters in a 1997 Hyundai Sonata’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Hyundai Sonata’s VIN below:

What info can a 1997 Hyundai Sonata VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the model year of a vehicle, providing insights into the potential market value and age of the vehicle, like indicating it as a 1997 model.
• Vehicle Specifications: A VIN can typically include details like the make and model, potentially identifying a vehicle as a Sonata Deluxe (GL).
• Engine Specifications: The VIN can offer insights into engine details, such as the number of cylinders and engine displacement, indicating a 2972CC (2.972L) engine in this case.
• Fuel Type: It may indicate the primary fuel type a vehicle uses, for example, confirming the use of gasoline.
• Safety Features: Key safety features, including the number and location of airbags, can be uncovered, illustrating that a car could have airbags in the 1st row for both driver and passenger.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN can specify manufacturing information including the plant city and country, as seen with a vehicle produced in Ulsan, South Korea.
• Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, for instance stating a vehicle as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, offering insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Hyundai Sonata