How to decode a 2009 Kia Sportage VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2009 Kia Sportage VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) serves as the initial three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), uniquely identifying the manufacturer, vehicle type, and country of production. For example, vehicles produced by Kia Corporation, specifically the 2009 Kia Sportage, fall within this identification system. The WMI for these vehicles denotes that they are Multipurpose Passenger Vehicles, a category which typically includes SUVs, and confirms their manufacturing origins in Seoul, South Korea, under the broader oversight of Seocho-Gu. The specificity of the WMI allows for precise identification and tracking of vehicles globally, ensuring a standardized method for recognizing the make, model, and production location of vehicles like the 2009 Kia Sportage.

List of WMI Codes for a 2009 Kia Sportage

WMI: KND

Model Years Covered: 1995, 1997-2002, 2005-2024
Example VIN: KNDJE724097565593
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 2009 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 2009 Kia Sportage:

Known VDS for a 2009 Kia Sportage
JE724	JE723	JF723	JF724

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 2009 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 2009 Kia Sportage VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
9	2009

11th Character in the 2009 Kia Sportage VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2009 Kia Sportage Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
7	Gwangju		South Korea	Kia Motors Corporation	KNDJE724097565593

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2009 Kia Sportage

The final 6 characters in a 2009 Kia Sportage’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Kia Sportage’s VIN below:

How to find a 2009 Kia Sportage’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2009 Kia Sportage is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Kia Sportage. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield on a plate at the corner where it meets the dash.
Look at the door post on the driver’s side where the door latches when closed. There might be a sticker or plate on the door frame of your Kia Sportage with VIN details.
Inspect under the hood of your Kia Sportage. The VIN may be stamped on the engine block, firewall, or other components within the engine bay.
Check the vehicle’s registration documents, insurance papers, or service records, as these documents typically list the VIN for your 2009 Kia Sportage.
If your Kia Sportage has a spare tire, sometimes the VIN can be found in the area where the spare tire is stored.

What info can a 2009 Kia Sportage VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting that the vehicle is from 2009, potentially offering insights into the age and market value of the vehicle.
Vehicle Type and Body Class: From the VIN, it can be discerned that the vehicle is classified as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle, specifically a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 4 doors, providing detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Engine and Performance: The VIN indicates that this particular model has an engine with 2000 CC (2 Liters) and features a Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) valve train design, which could provide some insights into the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for the vehicle, as indicated by the VIN, is Gasoline, which can potentially help determine fuel efficiency and performance characteristics.
Drive Type: Information on the vehicle’s drive type, such as 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, can typically be gleaned, indicating its capability for off-road and adverse condition driving.
Safety Features: The presence of a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) of the Direct type can often be verified, which is a critical component in vehicle safety and maintenance.
Manufacturing Information: The VIN can provide detailed manufacturing information, including the plant city (Gwangju), plant company name (Kia Motors Corporation), and plant country (South Korea), which can be insightful for understanding more about the vehicle’s origin and build quality.

Don’t have your 2009 Kia Sportage’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2009 Kia Sportage

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Destination Market	50 States
Displacement (CC)	2000
Displacement (CI)	122.0474881894
Displacement (L)	2
Doors	4
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)
Model	Sportage
Model Year	2009
Plant City	Gwangju
Plant Company Name	Kia Motors Corporation
Plant Country	South Korea
Series	KM
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	KNDJE724*97
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	KNDJE724097565593