Free 2012 Kia Sportage VIN Decoder

How to decode a 2012 Kia Sportage VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2012 Kia Sportage VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences used to identify the manufacturer of vehicles globally. For a 2012 Kia Sportage, the WMI “KND” specifies several important details about the vehicle. It indicates that the vehicle was manufactured by Kia Corporation, a prominent automotive manufacturer based in Seoul, South Korea, specifically in the Seocho-Gu district. This particular code is designated for multipurpose passenger vehicles, highlighting the versatile nature of the 2012 Kia Sportage. The WMI is part of the larger Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) system, which helps in tracking and identifying vehicles with precision.

List of WMI Codes for a 2012 Kia Sportage

WMI: KND

• Model Years Covered: 1995, 1997-2002, 2005-2024
• Example VIN: KNDPC3A60C7172258
• Manufacturer Name: Kia Corporation
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City: Seoul
• State or Province: Seocho-Gu
• Country: South Korea

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

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 Sportage 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 Sportage VIN — Year Code

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

Known 2012 Kia Sportage Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2012 Kia Sportage

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

Check your Kia Sportage’s VIN below:

What info can a 2012 Kia Sportage VIN reveal?

• Model and Series: The VIN may reveal specific details about the vehicle’s model and series, such as the Kia Sportage GLS (Middle grade) SL model, providing insights into the vehicle’s specific features and trim level.
• Engine and Performance: Key engine information like a 2.0 L DOHC T-GDI Theta-II engine with Stoichiometric Gasoline Direct Injection (SGDI) and turbo enhancement can be found, signifying a powerful yet efficient engine setup according to the provided data.
• Safety Features: Safety equipment details such as curtain airbags located in the 1st and 2nd rows, front airbags for the driver and passenger in the 1st row, and side airbags for the 1st row emphasize the vehicle’s emphasis on occupant safety, as indicated in the VIN.
• Fuel Type and Efficiency: The vehicle’s primary fuel type is gasoline, possibly indicating the vehicle’s compatibility with common fuel types and its fuel efficiency, given its direct fuel injection system, based on the VIN data.
• Drive Type and Capability: The VIN reveals the vehicle’s drive type as 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, suggesting enhanced off-road and adverse condition capabilities, as suggested by the VIN information.
• Vehicle Weight Class: By specifying the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating as Class 1C (4,001 - 5,000 lb or 1,814 - 2,268 kg), the VIN provides insight into the vehicle’s size, weight, and possibly its handling characteristics, according to the provided VIN data.
• Manufacturing Information: Information about the vehicle’s manufacturing, including the plant city (Gwangju), country (South Korea), and company (Kia Motors Corporation), can indicate the manufacturing standards and quality based on the VIN.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2012 Kia Sportage

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