How to decode a 2018 Hyundai Elantra VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2018 Hyundai Elantra VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes uniquely identify a vehicle’s manufacturer, providing key information about the car, such as where it was built and its type. For the 2018 Hyundai Elantra, the WMIs “KMH” and “5NP” signify vehicles assembled by Hyundai Motor Co. in Seoul, South Korea, and by Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center Inc (HATCI) in Superior Township, Michigan, USA, respectively. These identifiers hint at passenger cars produced within specific model years, including 2018. By examining the WMI codes, one can discern the global nature of Hyundai’s operations, reflecting on the diverse manufacturing locations for vehicles like the Elantra.

List of WMI Codes for a 2018 Hyundai Elantra

WMI: KMH

Model Years Covered: 1996, 1998-2024
Example VIN: KMHD04CB1JU526861
Manufacturer Name: Hyundai Motor Co.
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Seoul Korea
State or Province:
Country: South Korea WMI: 5NP
Model Years Covered: 2011-2023
Example VIN: 5NPD94LA0JH273172
Manufacturer Name: Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center Inc (HATCI)
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Superior Township
State or Province: Michigan
Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2018 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 2018 Hyundai Elantra:

Known VDS for a 2018 Hyundai Elantra
D04CB	D04LB	D94LA	D84LF	D84CF	D74LF

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 2018 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 2018 Hyundai Elantra VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
J	2018

11th Character in the 2018 Hyundai Elantra VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2018 Hyundai Elantra Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
H		Alabama	United States	Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama Llc (Hmma)	5NPD94LA0JH273172
U	Ulsan		South Korea	Hyundai	KMHD04CB1JU526861

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2018 Hyundai Elantra

The final 6 characters in a 2018 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 2018 Hyundai Elantra’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2018 Hyundai Elantra is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 2018 Hyundai Elantra. You should be able to see the VIN through the windshield on a metal plate attached to the dashboard.
Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb. The VIN should be on a sticker or plate where the door latches when closed.
Examine the engine bay. The VIN might also be stamped on the engine block or affixed to the firewall within the engine compartment of your Hyundai Elantra.
Check the vehicle registration documents or the insurance policy for the VIN as it should be printed there.
Inspect the trunk area of your Elantra; sometimes the VIN can be found on the floor under the spare tire or on the side walls of the trunk space.
If you can’t locate the VIN in any of these places, look in the vehicle’s owner’s manual, as it may provide specific guidance on where to find the VIN for your specific 2018 Hyundai Elantra model.

What info can a 2018 Hyundai Elantra VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, being the year 2018, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Engine Specifications: The vehicle features a T-GDI Kappa engine with a 1.4-liter displacement and 128 horsepower, indicating its power and efficiency metrics.
Fuel Type: The vehicle is powered by gasoline, specifying the primary energy source, critical for understanding efficiency and environmental impact.
Safety Features: The vehicle is equipped with extensive safety systems including Vehicle Stability Management, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist, and standard airbags in multiple locations, demonstrating the vehicle’s focus on passenger protection.
Drive Type and Turbo Feature: It is classified as Front-Wheel Drive with a turbo feature, impacting performance metrics such as acceleration and fuel efficiency.
Advanced Technology: Standard features like Keyless Ignition, Blind Spot Warning, and a Backup Camera highlight the vehicle’s advanced technological integrations for convenience and safety.
Manufacturing Details: The vehicle was assembled in the United States by Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama LLC, providing insight into the vehicle’s production origin and potential impact on build quality.

Don’t have your 2018 Hyundai Elantra’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

Search License Plate

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2018 Hyundai Elantra

Vehicle Spec	Value
Active Safety System Note	Vehicle Stability Management (VSM): Standard; Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD): Standard; Brake Assist (BA): Standard; Remote keyless entry system with alarm: Standard; Proximity Key Entry: Standard; Rear Cross-traffic Alert: Standard
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)	Standard
Axles	2
Backup Camera	Standard
Base Price ($)	20550
Blind Spot Warning (BSW)	Standard
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Daytime Running Light (DRL)	Standard
Displacement (CC)	1400.0
Displacement (CI)	85.43324173262
Displacement (L)	1.4
Doors	4
Drive Type	FWD/Front-Wheel Drive
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	Standard
Engine Brake (hp) From	128
Engine Manufacturer	HMC
Engine Model	T-GDI Kappa
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)
Keyless Ignition	Standard
Knee Air Bag Locations	Driver Seat Only
Model	Elantra
Model Year	2018
Number of Seats	5
Number of Wheels	4
Plant Company Name	Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama LLC (HMMA)
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Alabama
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	Eco
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Steering Location	Left-Hand Drive (LHD)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Traction Control	Standard
Turbo	Yes
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	5NPD94LA*JH
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Wheel Base (inches) From	106.3
Wheel Size Front (inches)	15
Wheel Size Rear (inches)	15
Sample_VIN	5NPD94LA0JH273172