Hyundai VIN Check
Every Hyundai vehicle manufactured for the North American market since 1981 carries a standardized 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) regulated by NHTSA under FMVSS 565 and ISO 3779. This code is unique to each vehicle and encodes the country of assembly, manufacturer identity, model attributes, engine configuration, model year, assembly plant, and production sequence number. Decoding a Hyundai VIN helps you verify a used-vehicle listing, confirm the correct parts and service history, check for open recalls, and detect potential title fraud.
Hyundai uses manufacturer-specific encoding in the Vehicle Descriptor Section (positions 4–8). Position 4 typically identifies the model line — for example, popular Hyundai models include Elantra, Sonata, Tucson, Santa Fe, Palisade, Ioniq 5, Kona. Position 8 usually encodes the engine type. Position 9 is a mathematical check digit that detects typos and many forms of VIN tampering. Position 10 encodes the model year, and position 11 identifies the assembly plant. KMH/KM8 indicate South Korea; 5NP indicates Hyundai's Montgomery, Alabama assembly plant.
Hyundai entered the U.S. market in 1986 and has grown to become a top-five brand by sales. The company offers industry-leading warranties and has invested heavily in electric vehicles through the Ioniq sub-brand.
How to Read a Hyundai VIN
To read a Hyundai VIN manually, start with the WMI (positions 1–3) to confirm the manufacturer and country of origin. For Hyundai, the WMI prefixes in our database include KMH, KM8, 5NP and others depending on where the vehicle was built.
Position 4 encodes the Vehicle Line. Common values include A=Accent / Rio, B=Elantra / Forte, C=Sonata / K5, D=Genesis / G80, E=Ioniq / EV6, F=Santa Fe / Sorento. Position 5 encodes trim or series level. Position 8 encodes the engine (A=1.6L 4-cyl, B=2.0L 4-cyl, C=2.4L 4-cyl, D=3.3L V6, E=3.8L V6). Position 9 is the check digit — our decoder validates it automatically using the ISO 3779 weighted-sum algorithm. Position 10 is the model year (see our year-code reference), and position 11 is the assembly plant (A=Asan, South Korea, B=Birmingham, AL, C=Chennai, India, D=Dundee, MI, E=Elantra plant, Korea). Positions 12–17 are the unique serial number for that vehicle.
Because Hyundai may change VDS encoding between model years, treat decoded attributes as informational. Always confirm critical details (engine, trim, drivetrain) against the window sticker, build sheet, or dealer records.
Hyundai VIN Position Breakdown
| Pos. | Section | Standard Meaning | Hyundai Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WMI | Country of manufacture | ISO 3779 region code — e.g. 1=USA, J=Japan, W=Germany |
| 2 | WMI | Manufacturer | Combined with pos. 1–3 identifies Hyundai |
| 3 | WMI | Vehicle type | Hyundai WMI codes: KMH (South Korea), KM8 (South Korea), 5NP (United States) |
| 4 | VDS | Vehicle Line | A=Accent / Rio; B=Elantra / Forte; C=Sonata / K5; D=Genesis / G80; E=Ioniq / EV6; F=Santa Fe / Sorento; G=Tucson / Sportage; H=Palisade / Telluride |
| 5 | VDS | Series / trim | Trim, series, or drive configuration |
| 6 | VDS | Body / restraint | Body style and/or restraint system (varies by year) |
| 7 | VDS | Restraint / body | Supplemental restraint or body attribute |
| 8 | VDS | Engine | A=1.6L 4-cyl; B=2.0L 4-cyl; C=2.4L 4-cyl; D=3.3L V6; E=3.8L V6; F=5.0L V8 |
| 9 | Check digit | Validation | ISO 3779 weighted-sum check — detects typos and tampering |
| 10 | VIS | Model year | Standard 30-year letter/digit cycle (1980–2039) |
| 11 | VIS | Assembly plant | A=Asan, South Korea; B=Birmingham, AL; C=Chennai, India; D=Dundee, MI; E=Elantra plant, Korea; F=Fountain Valley, CA |
| 12–17 | VIS | Serial number | Unique production sequence at the assembly plant |
Frequently Asked Questions — Hyundai VIN
Where is the VIN on a Hyundai?
Driver's side dashboard, door jamb sticker, and under the hood on a label near the strut tower.
What does KMH mean in a Hyundai VIN?
The WMI prefix KMH identifies a Hyundai vehicle. KMH/KM8 indicate South Korea; 5NP indicates Hyundai's Montgomery, Alabama assembly plant.
How do I decode a Hyundai VIN for free?
Enter your 17-character Hyundai VIN in the decoder above. Our engine validates the check digit, reads the model year, identifies the assembly plant, and applies Hyundai-specific rules for positions 4–8 where available.
Can a Hyundai VIN tell me the engine type?
For most Hyundai models, position 8 encodes the engine family or displacement. Our decoder maps this using manufacturer data. Popular models like Elantra and Sonata are supported.
What plants build Hyundai vehicles?
Position 11 is the assembly plant code. Hyundai operates factories worldwide — our decoder translates the plant letter to a city and country. KMH/KM8 indicate South Korea; 5NP indicates Hyundai's Montgomery, Alabama assembly plant.
How do I verify a Hyundai VIN is genuine?
Use our decoder to validate the check digit at position 9. A valid Hyundai VIN like 5NPE34AF5FH123456 must pass the ISO 3779 check-digit test. Also compare the dashboard VIN with the door jamb label — mismatches may indicate tampering.
Does the model year in a Hyundai VIN match the calendar year?
Not always. Position 10 encodes the model year using the standard 30-year ISO cycle. A vehicle assembled in late 2024 may carry a 2025 model-year code. Always treat position 10 as the manufacturer's designated model year.
Which Hyundai models can I decode?
Our decoder supports all Hyundai models with standard 17-character VINs since 1981, including Elantra, Sonata, Tucson, Santa Fe, Palisade, Ioniq 5, Kona. WMI lookup works for every Hyundai VIN; detailed trim and engine data is available where manufacturer encoding is documented.