How to decode a 1998 Hyundai Elantra VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Hyundai Elantra VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-character code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer worldwide, playing a crucial role in identifying the make and country of origin of a vehicle. In the case of the 1998 Hyundai Elantra, the WMI “KMH” signals that the vehicle was manufactured by Hyundai Motor Co., a renowned automotive company. This specific sequence indicates that the vehicle was produced in South Korea, specifically in the city of Seoul. The WMI is integral to the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), serving as its opening segment, and provides immediate, essential information about the car’s manufacturing background. For this model year, the WMI covers various Hyundai vehicles produced from 1996, extending through 1998 and onwards up to 2024, underscoring the global reach and consistency of Hyundai’s production.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Hyundai Elantra

WMI: KMH

Model Years Covered: 1996, 1998-2024
Example VIN: KMHJF24M6WU697098
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 1998 Hyundai Elantra 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 1998 Hyundai Elantra:

Known VDS for a 1998 Hyundai Elantra
JF24M	JW24M

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 1998 Hyundai Elantra 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 1998 Hyundai Elantra VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
W	1998

11th Character in the 1998 Hyundai Elantra VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Hyundai Elantra Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
U	Ulsan		South Korea		KMHJF24M6WU697098

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Hyundai Elantra

The final 6 characters in a 1998 Hyundai Elantra’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?

TRY BUMPER

How to find a 1998 Hyundai Elantra’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1998 Hyundai Elantra is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Hyundai Elantra, near where the dashboard meets the windshield. The VIN can usually be seen from outside the vehicle, just on the bottom of the windshield.
Open the driver’s side door and check the door jamb area; there should be a label or sticker on the Hyundai Elantra that lists the VIN along the door post where the door latches when closed.
Examine the firewall of the vehicle; there may be a plate or label on the engine bay’s firewall with the VIN inscribed on your 1998 Hyundai Elantra.
Look in the trunk area. The VIN might also be found under the carpeting right beside the spare tire well or on the side walls of the trunk in your Hyundai Elantra.
Review your vehicle’s registration documents or insurance documents, as the VIN for your Hyundai Elantra will be mentioned there.
If you’re still unable to locate the VIN, check the vehicle’s title or service records, as these documents will undoubtedly include the VIN for your 1998 Hyundai Elantra.

What info can a 1998 Hyundai Elantra VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, which may provide insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle, possibly indicating it is from the 1998 model year.
Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN provides data specifying that the vehicle is classified as a Passenger Car with a Sedan/Saloon body, offering insight into the vehicle’s design and intended use.
Engine Specifications: The VIN encodes details such as a 1795 CC (or 1.795 L) displacement and a 4-cylinder configuration, providing a snapshot of the engine’s size and power, indicating the engine’s specifications.
Fuel Efficiency and Type: The VIN indicates the primary fuel type as Gasoline, which, combined with engine displacement, can give an idea of the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact, potentially offering insights into fuel efficiency and environmental impacts.
Safety Features: The VIN notes Front Air Bag locations for the 1st Row (Driver and Passenger), alongside other restraint information, pointing to the vehicle’s safety equipment and protective measures, suggesting the presence of safety features.
Manufacturing Details: The VIN provides details about the plant city of Ulsan and the country, South Korea, showcasing the vehicle’s origins and potentially affecting its build quality and availability of parts, potentially influencing aspects such as build quality and parts availability.
Model Specifics: With the vehicle identified as an Elantra Deluxe (GL) series, the VIN helps in pinpointing model-specific features, critical for repairs, upgrades, or simply understanding the vehicle’s market positioning, potentially offering critical information for repairs and upgrades.

Don’t have your 1998 Hyundai Elantra’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

Search License Plate

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Hyundai Elantra

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Wagon
Displacement (CC)	1795
Displacement (CI)	109.537620650
Displacement (L)	1.795000
Doors	5
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Model	Elantra
Model Year	1998
Other Restraint System Info	Driver and Passenger belts: active
Plant City	Ulsan
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	South Korea
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	Deluxe (GL)
Vehicle Descriptor	KMHJW24M*WU
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	KMHJW24M3WU105270