How to decode a 2012 Kia Forte VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2012 Kia Forte VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle and is the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). It includes key information about the vehicle’s maker, such as the name and location of the manufacturer. For the 2012 Kia Forte, the WMI indicates that the car was manufactured by Kia Corporation, based in Seoul, South Korea, specifically in the Seocho-Gu district. This identifier not only confirms the vehicle’s origin but also signifies that it is classified as a passenger car, offering insights into the type of vehicle being registered. The WMI is essential for vehicle registration, identification, and verification processes globally.

List of WMI Codes for a 2012 Kia Forte

WMI: KNA

Model Years Covered: 2010-2018
Example VIN: KNAFW5A30C5478499
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 2012 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 2012 Kia Forte:

Known VDS for a 2012 Kia Forte
FW5A3	FU4A2	FT4A2	FW6A3	FU5A2	FW4A3	FU6A2

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 2012 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 2012 Kia Forte VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
C	2012

11th Character in the 2012 Kia Forte VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2012 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	KNAFW5A30C5478499

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2012 Kia Forte

The final 6 characters in a 2012 Kia Forte’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?

TRY BUMPER

How to find a 2012 Kia Forte’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2012 Kia Forte is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Kia Forte. The VIN should be visible through the windshield on a small metal or plastic plate.
Examine the door frame on the driver’s side of your 2012 Kia Forte. There is usually a label or sticker in this area, where the door latches, that displays the VIN.
Check the vehicle registration documents, as your Kia Forte’s VIN will be clearly printed there.
Look under the hood of your Kia Forte, as the VIN might also be found on the engine block or other components within the engine bay.
Examine the trunk area of your Kia Forte, sometimes the VIN can be found on the floor or below the trunk latch.
Consult your Kia Forte’s insurance card or policy, as the VIN is typically listed in these documents.

What info can a 2012 Kia Forte VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially providing insights into the age and market value of the vehicle, such as the year 2012.
Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN can indicate the vehicle type as a Passenger Car and specify its body class as a Coupe, offering detailed information about the vehicle’s design and structure.
Engine Specifications: Details about the engine model, such as DOHC MPI THETA II with a displacement of 2.0 L (2000.0 CC or 122.05 CI) and equipped with Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI), showcase specific engine characteristics.
Safety Features: Safety features such as curtain airbags in the 1st and 2nd rows, front airbags for the driver and passenger in the 1st row, and a direct tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) are detailed, possibly enhancing safety measures for the vehicle.
Fuel Type: The VIN clarifies that the primary fuel type for the vehicle is Gasoline, possibly highlighting its fueling compatibility.
Manufacturing Details: Insight into the manufacturing location is provided, indicating the vehicle was produced in Hwasung, South Korea by Kia Motors Corporation, potentially offering a glimpse into the geographical origin of the vehicle.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The vehicle falls into Class 1, indicating a GVWR of 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), offering information on the vehicle’s weight classification.

Don’t have your 2012 Kia Forte’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

Search License Plate

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2012 Kia Forte

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Coupe
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Displacement (CC)	2400.0
Displacement (CI)	146.45698582735
Displacement (L)	2.4
Doors	2
Engine Model	DOHC MPI THETA II
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI)
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	2012
Plant City	Hwasung
Plant Company Name	Kia Motors Corporation
Plant Country	South Korea
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	TOP
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	KNAFW6A3*C5
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	KNAFW6A30C5474801