How to decode a 2006 Kia Optima VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2006 Kia Optima VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code designated to every vehicle manufacturer globally. For the 2006 Kia Optima, the WMI is ‘KNA’, signaling that the vehicle was manufactured by Kia Corporation. This code is the initial sequence of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), providing essential information about the vehicle, including its country of origin, which for the 2006 Kia Optima is South Korea, specifically from the city of Seoul in Seocho-Gu. The WMI not only identifies the manufacturer but is also crucial in distinguishing the vehicle type, which in this case, identifies the vehicle as a passenger car. Such identifiers are pivotal in tracking, registration, and regulation purposes for vehicles worldwide.

List of WMI Codes for a 2006 Kia Optima

WMI: KNA

Model Years Covered: 2001-2020
Example VIN: KNAGD128065439171
Manufacturer Name: Kia Corporation
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Seoul
State or Province: Seocho-Gu
Country: South Korea

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2006 Kia Optima 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 2006 Kia Optima:

Known VDS for a 2006 Kia Optima
GD128	GE124	GE123	GD126

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 2006 Kia Optima 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 2006 Kia Optima VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
6	2006

11th Character in the 2006 Kia Optima VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2006 Kia Optima 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	KNAGD128065439171

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2006 Kia Optima

The final 6 characters in a 2006 Kia Optima’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Kia Optima’s VIN below:

How to find a 2006 Kia Optima’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2006 Kia Optima is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Kia Optima, near where the dashboard meets the windshield. You should be able to see the VIN through the windshield.
Open the driver’s side door and examine the area where the door latches to the body of the Kia Optima. The VIN can frequently be found on a sticker or plate in the door jamb.
Check under the hood; the VIN might be stamped on the firewall of the Kia Optima in the engine compartment.
Take a look at the rear wheel well. Sometimes, the VIN is located above the tire.

What info can a 2006 Kia Optima VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 2006, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class: The VIN indicates that the vehicle may be a Sedan/Saloon, offering insights into the design and functionality of the vehicle.
Engine Type: The vehicle is possibly equipped with a V-Shaped, 6-cylinder engine with a displacement of 2.7 liters (or 2700.0 CC/164.76410905577 CI), indicating its potential power and efficiency.
Fuel Efficiency: The VIN specifies the primary fuel type as Gasoline, which may provide insight into the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
Safety Features: There’s a chance that front airbags in the 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) are indicated, potentially highlighting the vehicle’s safety components.
Plant Information: The vehicle was possibly manufactured in Whasung, South Korea, by Kia Motors Corporation, providing some insights into its origin and build quality.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The VIN indicates that the vehicle falls into Class 1, with a GVWR of 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), which could impact its use and performance based on its size and weight category.

Don’t have your 2006 Kia Optima’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2006 Kia Optima

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Displacement (CC)	2700.0
Displacement (CI)	164.76410905577
Displacement (L)	2.7
Doors	4
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
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	Optima
Model Year	2006
Plant City	Whasung
Plant Company Name	Kia Motors Corporation
Plant Country	South Korea
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	MG
Vehicle Descriptor	KNAGE124*65
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	KNAGE124065021025