Free 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe VIN Decoder

How to decode a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-letter sequences that identify the manufacturer of a vehicle, providing insights into the vehicle’s place of production, brand, and type. For the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe, the WMI “KM8” indicates that the vehicle was manufactured by Hyundai Motor Co. in South Korea, specifically in the city of Seoul. This particular WMI is designated for vehicles classified as Multipurpose Passenger Vehicles (MPVs), reflecting the Hyundai Santa Fe’s design and utility. Spanning multiple model years, including 2001-2007, 2013-2018, and 2021-2023, the “KM8” WMI not only highlights the vehicle’s origin but also ties it to a legacy of Hyundai’s MPV production.

List of WMI Codes for a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe

WMI: KM8

• Model Years Covered: 2001-2007, 2013-2018, 2021-2023
• Example VIN: KM8SC73D03U343696
• Manufacturer Name: Hyundai Motor Co.
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City: Seoul Korea
• State or Province:
• Country: South Korea

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe 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 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe:

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 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe 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 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe

The final 6 characters in a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The vehicle can be identified as a 2003 model, indicating its potential age and features relevant to that time period.
• Body Class and Type: It is classified as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with a Wagon Body Type, suggesting versatility and space in its design and functionality.
• Engine and Displacement: It is equipped with a 3.5L engine (3500.0 CC or 213.58 CI), suggesting a balance between power and fuel efficiency suitable for its size.
• Drive Type: The All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system provides better traction and handling, particularly in adverse weather conditions, enhancing its capabilities as an SUV.
• Fuel Type - Primary: It runs on Gasoline, giving insight into fuel consumption patterns and the type of emissions the vehicle might produce.
• Manufacturing Details: The vehicle was assembled in Ulsan, South Korea, offering clues into the vehicle’s production quality, design influences, and possibly its market focus.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: Falling within Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg), it indicates the vehicle’s maximum allowable total weight, which is crucial for understanding its load capacity and performance limitations.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe