How to decode a 2010 Kia Forte VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2010 Kia Forte VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or digit code that indicates the manufacturer of a vehicle, providing insights into its origin, brand, and vehicle type. Specifically, in the context of Kia vehicles produced between 2010 and 2018, the WMI code “KNA” plays a significant role. This particular code signifies that the vehicle was manufactured by Kia Corporation, underscoring its South Korean origin, with production facilities located in Seoul, in the Seocho-Gu district. The WMI plays a crucial role in the automotive industry by assisting in the identification and tracking of vehicles, indicating that the vehicle is a passenger car produced by one of South Korea’s leading automotive manufacturers.

List of WMI Codes for a 2010 Kia Forte

WMI: KNA

Model Years Covered: 2010-2018
Example VIN: KNAFW4A30A5048365
Manufacturer Name: Kia Corporation
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Seoul
State or Province: Seocho-Gu
Country: South Korea

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2010 Kia Forte 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 2010 Kia Forte:

Known VDS for a 2010 Kia Forte
FW4A3	FW6A3	FU6A2	FT4A2	FU4A2

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 2010 Kia Forte 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 2010 Kia Forte VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
A	2010

11th Character in the 2010 Kia Forte VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2010 Kia Forte Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
5	Hwasung		South Korea	Kia Motors Corporation	KNAFW4A30A5048365

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2010 Kia Forte

The final 6 characters in a 2010 Kia Forte’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 2010 Kia Forte’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2010 Kia Forte is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Kia Forte. The VIN is typically visible through the windshield on a small plate near where the dashboard meets the glass.
Look at the door pillar on the driver’s side when you open the door of your Kia Forte. The VIN can often be found on a sticker or plate where the door latches.
Open the hood of your Kia Forte and check the front of the engine block. The VIN may be stamped onto the engine itself.
Inspect the rear wheel well above the tire. On some vehicles, including the Kia Forte, the VIN might be viewable in this area.
If your Kia Forte has a spare tire, check the area where the spare tire is stored. Sometimes the VIN is located in this compartment.
Examine your vehicle’s paperwork. The VIN for your Kia Forte will also be on the title, registration, and insurance documents.

What info can a 2010 Kia Forte VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 2010, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Make and Model: The VIN indicates the make as Kia and the model as Forte, with specific series information, GLS and TD, offering insights into the vehicle’s trim and potentially its features and appearance.
Engine Specifications: The data includes engine details such as a displacement of 2000 CC or 2.0 L and a valve train design of Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC), which are essential for understanding the vehicle’s performance and efficiency.
Safety Features: The VIN provides information about safety features, including airbags in both the 1st and 2nd rows, front airbags for the driver and passenger, and side airbags for 1st row occupants, indicating a high level of occupant protection.
Fuel Type: The primary fuel type listed is Gasoline, which is crucial for understanding the vehicle’s environmental impact and fuel consumption.
Body Type and Doors: The VIN indicates a body class of Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, offering a clear picture of the vehicle’s size and style.
Manufacturing Details: Information on the manufacturing location, including city (Hwasung), country (South Korea), and company name (Kia Motors Corporation) is provided, giving context about the vehicle’s origin and potentially its quality and design influences.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2010 Kia Forte

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Displacement (CC)	2400.0
Displacement (CI)	146.45698582735
Displacement (L)	2.4
Doors	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	Forte
Model Year	2010
Plant City	Hwasung
Plant Company Name	Kia Motors Corporation
Plant Country	South Korea
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	HGS
Series2	TD
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	KNAFW4A3*A5
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	KNAFW4A30A5048365