Free Kia VIN Decoder

Uncover the secrets of your Kia, the embodiment of reliability and tailored design, with our free VIN decoder. For detailed insights, enter your VIN in the box below.

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How to decode a Kia VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Kia VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle, denoting critical details such as the country of manufacture, the type of vehicle, and the specific facility where it was produced. For instance, Kia Corporation utilizes several WMIs across its global operations: KNA and KND for passenger and multipurpose vehicles made in Seoul, South Korea, respectively; 3KP for passenger cars assembled in Pesqueria, Mexico; and 5XX for passenger cars, alongside 5XY for multipurpose vehicles, both produced in West Point, Georgia, United States. These codes serve as the first three characters of a vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), providing an immediate understanding of key vehicle attributes and origin.

List of WMI Codes for a Kia

WMI Manufacturer Name Vehicle Type City State or Province Country Model Years Covered Example VIN
KNA Kia Corporation Passenger Car Seoul Seocho-Gu South Korea 1995-2023 KNALD124045017782
KND Kia Corporation Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) Seoul Seocho-Gu South Korea 1995, 1997-2024 KNDJH742095022369
3KP Kia Mexico S.A. de C.V. Passenger Car Pesqueria Nuevo Leon Mexico 2017-2024 3KPFN5A30HE056878
5XX Kia Georgia, Inc. Passenger Car West Point Georgia United States 2012-2024 5XXG44J80MG053557
5XY Kia Georgia, Inc. Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) West Point Georgia United States 2011-2024 5XYKUDA20BG002607

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Kia VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

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

Below find the most popular vehicle descriptor codes for a Kia:

100 Most Common VDS for a Kia
LD124LD125LD225JH742JJ742JH741JJ741KNEC1LN4D7LB4J1
LC4J1NB5H3NB4H3NC5H3NE5H3C44LAC34LBC34LAC3DLCC4DLC
C5DLEAEFS5ADFS5AFFS5AB5S1AA5S2FW4A3FW6A3FU6A2FT4A2
FU4A2FW5A3FU5A2FX4A6FX6A8FX5A8FK4A6FZ4A8FX4A8FZ6A3
FZ5A3FX4D6FK5A8FN5A3FL4A8FN4A8FL4A7FK4A7F34ADF54AD
F24ADF44ACG44J8G14J2G34J2G24J2G64J2G64A2LW4D4LU4D4
LU4D3LT4D3S34J6S24J6CB3LCCC3LCCE3LCCM3CDCD3LDCM3LD
CC3LDCE3LGCC3LGCS3LFCT3L1CP3LECR3LECT3LECR3LFCR3L1
CR3CFGD124GD126GD128GE124GE123GE224GE228GH4A8GH4A4
GG4A8GN4A7GR4A6GM4ADGM4A7GN4A6GR4A7GN4ADGT4L3GT4L1

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 Kia 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 Kia VIN — Year Code

Year Code Year
R 2024
P 2023
N 2022
M 2021
L 2020
K 2019
J 2018
H 2017
G 2016
F 2015
E 2014
D 2013
C 2012
B 2011
A 2010
8 2009
9 2009
8 2008
7 2007
6 2006
5 2005
4 2004
3 2003
2 2002
1 2001
Y 2000
X 1999
W 1998
V 1997
T 1996
S 1995

11th Character in the Kia VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known Kia Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code Plant City Plant State Plant Country Plant Company Name Example VIN
5 Whasung South Korea Kia Motors Corporation KNALD124045017782
6 Sohari South Korea Kia Motors Corporation (Kmc) KNDNB5H30N6115326
7 Kwangju South Korea KNAFG526077042073
E Tijuana Mexico Kmm 3KPFN5A30HE056878
G Georgia United States 5XXG44J80MG053557

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Kia

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

Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?

How to find a Kia’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your Kia is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

  1. Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Kia. You’ll typically find the VIN visible through the windshield on a plate.
  2. Examine the driver’s side door jamb on your Kia. The VIN is often placed on a sticker or label where the door latches.
  3. Review the vehicle registration documents for your Kia. These paperwork often have the VIN listed.
  4. Check the insurance card or policy for your Kia, as the VIN is usually printed on these documents for identification purposes.
VIN Decoder

What info can a Kia VIN reveal?

  • Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating the year of manufacture, with an indication of 2020.
  • Body Class and Type: A VIN can specify the body class, possibly identifying the vehicle as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), which offers insights into the vehicle’s design and intended use.
  • Engine and Fuel Type: VIN information may reveal engine details, possibly indicating a 1.6L engine size with Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) design. It might also suggest the vehicle is a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) with primary electric fuel and secondary gasoline fuel systems.
  • Safety Features: The VIN may suggest the presence of standard safety features such as Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), forward collision warning (FCW), and curtain airbags for 1st and 2nd rows, possibly highlighting the vehicle’s safety measures.
  • Electrification Level and Battery Details: Specifics about the vehicle being a PHEV and details about its battery, such as the type being Lithium-Ion and a 360V battery voltage, may reflect on its ecological footprint and performance efficiency.
  • Driver Assistance Technologies: It can indicate the inclusion of advanced driving assistance systems like Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Blind Spot Warning (BSW), possibly emphasizing the vehicle’s modern technology adaptations for safety and convenience.
  • Manufacturing Information: Details such as the manufacturing plant location in Hwasung, South Korea, and the vehicle’s assembly specifics can be discerned from the VIN, offering insights into the geographical origin and production quality of the vehicle.
VIN Decoder

Decode a Kia VIN

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a Kia

Vehicle Spec Value
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Standard
Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) Standard
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) Standard
Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs Standard
Automatic Pedestrian Alerting Sound (for Hybrid and EV only) Standard
Axles 2
Backup Camera Standard
Base Price ($) 32790.00
Battery Type Lithium-Ion/Li-Ion
Battery Voltage (Volts) From 360
Blind Spot Warning (BSW) Standard
Body Class Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Charger Power (kW) 45
Crash Imminent Braking (CIB) Standard
Curtain Air Bag Locations 1st and 2nd Rows
Daytime Running Light (DRL) Standard
Displacement (CC) 1600.0
Displacement (CI) 97.63799055157
Displacement (L) 1.6
Doors 4
Drive Type 4x2
Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) Standard
EV Drive Unit Single Motor
Electrification Level PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Standard
Engine Brake (hp) From 104
Engine Manufacturer KMC
Engine Model GDI
Engine Number of Cylinders 4
Forward Collision Warning (FCW) Standard
Front Air Bag Locations 1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary Electric
Fuel Type - Secondary Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)
Headlamp Light Source LED
Keyless Ignition Standard
Knee Air Bag Locations Driver Seat Only
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Standard
Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA) Standard
Model Niro
Model Year 2020
Number of Seat Rows 2
Number of Seats 5
Number of Wheels 4
Other Battery Info Battery: Li-PB; 24.7 Ah; Motor: 3-phase AC, 44.5 kW
Other Restraint System Info Seat Belt: All Positions
Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB) Standard
Plant City Hwasung
Plant Company Name
Plant Country South Korea
Rear Cross Traffic Alert Standard
Seat Belt Type Manual
Series EX
Series2 Wagon Body Style
Side Air Bag Locations 1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Steering Location Left-Hand Drive (LHD)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type Direct
Traction Control Standard
Transmission Speeds 6
Transmission Style Automatic
Valve Train Design Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor KNDCD3LD*L5
Vehicle Type Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Wheel Base (inches) From 106.30
Wheel Size Front (inches) 16
Wheel Size Rear (inches) 16
Sample_VIN KNDCD3LD0L5386430

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