How to decode a 2004 Hyundai Elantra VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2004 Hyundai Elantra VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique strings of characters integral to vehicle identification numbers (VINs) that designate the manufacturer of a vehicle, its type, and its place of production. The WMI for Hyundai Motor Co., specifically for vehicles such as the 2004 Hyundai Elantra, begins with “KMH”. This indicates that the car is a passenger vehicle produced by Hyundai, a well-known automobile manufacturer based in Seoul, South Korea. These first three characters in the VIN are critical for identifying the vehicle’s origin and the company responsible for its production. This WMI code is part of a global system used to ensure consistency and clarity in the automotive industry’s vehicle identification system.

List of WMI Codes for a 2004 Hyundai Elantra

WMI: KMH

Model Years Covered: 1996, 1998-2024
Example VIN: KMHDN46D04U708926
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 2004 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 2004 Hyundai Elantra:

Known VDS for a 2004 Hyundai Elantra
DN46D	DN56D	DN45D	DM46D

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 2004 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 2004 Hyundai Elantra VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
4	2004

11th Character in the 2004 Hyundai Elantra VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2004 Hyundai Elantra Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
U	Ulsan		South Korea	Hyundai Motor Company	KMHDN46D04U708926

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2004 Hyundai Elantra

The final 6 characters in a 2004 Hyundai Elantra’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Hyundai Elantra’s VIN below:

How to find a 2004 Hyundai Elantra’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2004 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. The VIN can typically be seen from outside the vehicle, right where the dashboard meets the windshield.
Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb. You will often find the VIN on a sticker or a plate where the door latches when it is closed.
Check under the hood of your Hyundai Elantra. The VIN may be stamped on the engine block or listed on a plaque somewhere in the engine compartment.
Examine the rear wheel well. Sometimes the VIN is located just above the tire.
Look at your vehicle’s title, registration, or insurance documents. The VIN will be listed on these official documents related to your Hyundai Elantra.

What info can a 2004 Hyundai Elantra VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can provide insights into the vehicle’s model year, potentially being the year 2004, aiding in understanding the age and potential historical context of the vehicle.
Body Class and Size: The VIN specifies the body class as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, offering insights into the vehicle’s design, size, and potential capacity.
Engine Specifications: Information such as engine displacement (2.0 L/122.047 cubic inches) and the engine having 4 cylinders with a DOHC valve train design, provides detailed insights into the vehicle’s power and performance characteristics.
Fuel Efficiency and Type: The VIN highlights the primary fuel type as Gasoline, potentially aiding in understanding the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
Safety Features: Detailed safety feature descriptions, such as the presence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger and the type of seat belts (Manual), enhance understanding of the vehicle’s safety standards.
Vehicle Manufacturing Details: Decrypting the VIN can reveal manufacturing information such as the plant city (Ulsan), country (South Korea), and the company name (Hyundai Motor Company), offering transparency about the vehicle’s origin.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The VIN indicates the GVWR class as Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), potentially aiding in determining the vehicle’s load-carrying capacity and classification.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2004 Hyundai Elantra

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Displacement (CC)	2000.0
Displacement (CI)	122.04748818946
Displacement (L)	2.0
Doors	4
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	2004
Other Restraint System Info	Advanced air bag or Depowered air bag with suppression
Plant City	Ulsan
Plant Company Name	Hyundai Motor Company
Plant Country	South Korea
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	KMHDN46D*4U
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	KMHDN46D04U708926