Free 2012 Kia Sorento VIN Decoder

How to decode a 2012 Kia Sorento VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2012 Kia Sorento VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle, often revealing details about the vehicle type, model year, and manufacturing location. For instance, the 2012 Kia Sorento has a WMI that begins with “5XY”, pointing to Kia Georgia, Inc. as the manufacturer. This specific WMI also indicates that the vehicle is categorized as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), manufactured in West Point, Georgia, United States. The use of the WMI is an international standard, ensuring that every vehicle can be uniquely identified worldwide. This makes tracking, regulation, and recall of vehicles more efficient for regulatory bodies and manufacturers alike.

List of WMI Codes for a 2012 Kia Sorento

WMI: 5XY

• Model Years Covered: 2011-2024
• Example VIN: 5XYKT3A20CG300203
• Manufacturer Name: Kia Georgia, Inc.
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City: West Point
• State or Province: Georgia
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2012 Kia Sorento 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 2012 Kia Sorento:

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 2012 Kia Sorento 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 2012 Kia Sorento VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 2012 Kia Sorento VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2012 Kia Sorento Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2012 Kia Sorento

The final 6 characters in a 2012 Kia Sorento’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 2012 Kia Sorento VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting it might be a 2012 model, providing insights into its potential age and technological features.
• Body Class and Size: The data uncovers that the vehicle might be a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with four doors, hinting at a possibility of ample space for passengers and cargo.
• Engine Specifications: An engine described as a V6 MPI LAMBDA-II with a displacement of 3.5 liters (or 213.58 cubic inches) and six cylinders might indicate a balance of power and efficiency.
• Safety Features: This VIN details potential safety equipment including curtain airbags available in the 1st and 2nd rows, as well as front and side airbags for the first row (Driver and Passenger), suggesting a possible focus on occupant safety.
• Fuel Type and Efficiency: With a potential primary fuel type of gasoline and a multipoint fuel injection (MPFI) system, it might combine fuel efficiency with reliable performance.
• Drive Type and Handling: The 4x2 drive type might point towards a vehicle designed for standard road use rather than off-road capabilities, possibly focusing on urban and highway driving environments.
• Manufacturing Details: Indicating that the vehicle was potentially assembled at Kia Motor Manufacturing in Georgia, United States, might provide clues about the engineering quality and potential availability of parts.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2012 Kia Sorento

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