How to decode a 2009 Hyundai Tucson VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2009 Hyundai Tucson VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle. For vehicles like the 2009 Hyundai Tucson, the WMI code is “KM8”, which signifies that it was manufactured by Hyundai Motor Co., a distinguished automaker based in Seoul, South Korea. This code is the first segment of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), providing crucial information about the vehicle, including its type and production location. In this case, the Hyundai Tucson is categorized as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), highlighting its versatile design intended for various uses. The WMI is an essential tool for identifying vehicles and accessing important data about their origin and specifications.

List of WMI Codes for a 2009 Hyundai Tucson

WMI: KM8

Model Years Covered: 2005-2024
Example VIN: KM8JM12B09U005391
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 2009 Hyundai Tucson 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 Hyundai Tucson:

Known VDS for a 2009 Hyundai Tucson
JM12B	JM12D	JN12B	JN72D	JN12D

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 Hyundai Tucson 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 Hyundai Tucson VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
9	2009

11th Character in the 2009 Hyundai Tucson VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2009 Hyundai Tucson 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	KM8JM12B09U005391

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2009 Hyundai Tucson

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

Check your Hyundai Tucson’s VIN below:

How to find a 2009 Hyundai Tucson’s VIN?

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

Take a look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Hyundai Tucson. You can typically see the VIN through the windshield on a small plate affixed to the dashboard.
Open the driver’s side door and examine the door jamb area. Your Hyundai Tucson should have a sticker or plate with the VIN where the door latches when it is closed.
Inspect the engine block of your Hyundai Tucson for the VIN, as it is often stamped onto a part of the engine itself.
Look at your vehicle’s registration documents, insurance card, or title (also known as the pink slip), where the VIN of your Hyundai Tucson should be recorded.
Check the front of the car frame, near the container that holds windshield washer fluid. On some Hyundai Tucson models, the VIN might be located in this area.

What info can a 2009 Hyundai Tucson VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being potentially the year 2009, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Size: It can specify the vehicle as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 4 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and functionality.
Engine Type and Displacement: The VIN might disclose that this vehicle has a V-Shaped engine configuration with a displacement of potentially 2.7 liters and six cylinders, providing specifics about its potential performance capabilities.
Safety Features: It may indicate the presence of curtain airbags for all rows and front and side airbags for the 1st row (Driver and Passenger), potentially highlighting the vehicle’s safety provisions.
Fuel Type: Based on the VIN, it seems that this vehicle is primarily powered by gasoline, which might be useful for understanding potential fuel consumption and environmental impact.
Drive Type: The VIN might suggest that the vehicle features a Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) system, which can potentially influence its handling and efficiency characteristics.
Manufacturing Information: The VIN might provide specifics like the manufacturing plant’s location in Ulsan, South Korea, potentially under the Hyundai Motor Company, giving insights into its potential production origin.

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

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2009 Hyundai Tucson

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Curtain Air Bag Locations	All Rows
Displacement (CC)	2700.0
Displacement (CI)	164.76410905577
Displacement (L)	2.7
Doors	4
Drive Type	FWD/Front-Wheel Drive
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)
Model	Tucson
Model Year	2009
Plant City	Ulsan
Plant Company Name	Hyundai Motor Company
Plant Country	South Korea
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	JM
Series2	Wagon body style
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	KM8JM12D*9U
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	KM8JM12D69U124824