How to decode a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial sequence of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which uniquely identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle. For Hyundai Motor Co., particularly for the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe, the WMI is “KM8”. This prefix indicates that the vehicle was manufactured by Hyundai in South Korea, and it categorizes the vehicle as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV). The WMI is essential in enabling quick and reliable identification of the vehicle’s manufacturer, production country, and vehicle type, serving as a key tool in automotive industry databases, regulatory processes, and for consumer information. Understanding a vehicle’s WMI can offer insight into its origins, manufacturer, and specific attributes directly from its VIN.

List of WMI Codes for a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe

WMI: KM8

Model Years Covered: 2001-2007, 2013-2018, 2021-2023
Example VIN: KM8SC13D05U002136
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 2005 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 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe:

Known VDS for a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
SC13D	SC73E	SB13D	SC73D	SB12B	SC13E

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 2005 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 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
5	2005

11th Character in the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe 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	KM8SC13D05U002136

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe

The final 6 characters in a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Hyundai Santa Fe, typically at the corner where it meets the windshield, to view the VIN through the front glass.
Open the driver-side door and examine the door jamb area for a sticker or plate on your 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe; the VIN is commonly located where the door latches when closed.
Check under the hood of your Hyundai Santa Fe for a metal plate or sticker; VINs can sometimes be found on the front of the engine block.
Inspect the rear wheel well; sometimes, the VIN can be found on the inner part of the wheel well on your Hyundai Santa Fe.
Look for the VIN underneath the spare tire in the trunk area of your Hyundai Santa Fe, where it may be printed on the floor or the lower body of the car.

What info can a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2005, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Manufacturing Details: The vehicle is reported to have been manufactured by Hyundai Motor Company in Ulsan, South Korea, as indicated by the VIN.
Vehicle Specifications: The VIN suggests it is a Hyundai Santa Fe, equipped with a 2.7-liter engine and front-wheel drive (FWD) with 4 doors.
Body Class and Size: According to the VIN, this vehicle is classified as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with a gross vehicle weight rating in Class 1D, indicating a weight range from 5,001 to 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg).
Fuel Type: The VIN data implies that the primary fuel type for this vehicle is gasoline.
Drive Type: The VIN suggests that the vehicle is equipped with front-wheel drive (FWD).
Safety and Design Features: Potential standard safety and design features typical for a Hyundai Santa Fe of the 2005 model year may be inferred from the VIN data.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Displacement (CC)	2700.0
Displacement (CI)	164.76410905577
Displacement (L)	2.7
Doors	4
Drive Type	FWD/Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)
Model	Santa Fe
Model Year	2005
Plant City	Ulsan
Plant Company Name	Hyundai Motor Company
Plant Country	South Korea
Series2	Wagon Body Type
Vehicle Descriptor	KM8SB13D*5U
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	KM8SB13D25U981872