How to decode a 2017 Kia Forte VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2017 Kia Forte VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer to identify the origin of their vehicles. The WMI for the 2017 Kia Forte, “3KP,” indicates that this model was manufactured by Kia Mexico S.A. de C.V., located in Pesqueria, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. It specifically denotes passenger cars produced between the model years 2017 and 2024. This code is an essential part of the vehicle identification number (VIN), helping to provide detailed information about where and by whom a vehicle was manufactured.

List of WMI Codes for a 2017 Kia Forte

WMI: KNA

Model Years Covered: 2010-2018
Example VIN: KNAFK5A80H5666941
Manufacturer Name: Kia Corporation
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Seoul
State or Province: Seocho-Gu
Country: South Korea WMI: 3KP
Model Years Covered: 2017-2024
Example VIN: 3KPFN5A30HE056878
Manufacturer Name: Kia Mexico S.A. de C.V.
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Pesqueria
State or Province: Nuevo Leon
Country: Mexico

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2017 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 2017 Kia Forte:

Known VDS for a 2017 Kia Forte
FK5A8	FN5A3	FL4A8	FX5A8	FN4A8	FL4A7	FK4A7

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 2017 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 2017 Kia Forte VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
H	2017

11th Character in the 2017 Kia Forte VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2017 Kia Forte Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
5	Hwasung		South Korea		KNAFK5A80H5666941
E	Tijuana		Mexico	Kmm	3KPFN5A30HE056878

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2017 Kia Forte

The final 6 characters in a 2017 Kia Forte’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Kia Forte’s VIN below:

How to find a 2017 Kia Forte’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2017 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 can usually be seen by looking through the windshield from outside the car.
Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb area or the doorpost of your Kia Forte. The VIN should be on a label or a metal plate where the door latches when closed.
Under the hood of your Kia Forte, check for the VIN stamped onto the engine block or the strut tower.
Examine the trunk area of your Kia Forte. It might be under the trunk carpet or on the spare tire cover/well area.
Some Kia Forte vehicles also have the VIN located beneath the rear seat. You may need to lift up the seat to find a sticker with the VIN printed on it.

What info can a 2017 Kia Forte VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2017, possibly indicating the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Engine Specifications: From the VIN, it may be possible to determine the engine as a 2.0 L 4-cylinder engine by KMC, with a starting horsepower of 147.
Safety Features: The VIN information suggests that the vehicle comes with standard safety features such as Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Backup Camera, and Daytime Running Lights (DRL). Furthermore, it indicates optional features like Blind Spot Warning (BSW) and Forward Collision Warning (FCW) may be available, potentially enhancing the safety of the vehicle.
Body Class: The VIN may specify the Body Class as a Sedan/Saloon, providing a general idea of the vehicle’s shape and utility.
Fuel Type: The VIN confirms the fuel type as Gasoline, pointing to the vehicle’s energy source and potential efficiency.
Plant Information: The VIN code reveals the vehicle was possibly manufactured in Tijuana, Mexico by the company KMM, offering potential details on the assembly origin.
Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS): Features like Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA) are listed as optional, potentially indicating the availability of modern driving aids in this vehicle model.

Don’t have your 2017 Kia Forte’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2017 Kia Forte

Vehicle Spec	Value
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)	Standard
Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs	Standard
Axles	2
Backup Camera	Standard
Base Price ($)	18200
Blind Spot Warning (BSW)	Optional
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Crash Imminent Braking (CIB)	Optional
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Daytime Running Light (DRL)	Standard
Displacement (CC)	2000.0
Displacement (CI)	122.04748818946
Displacement (L)	2.0
Doors	4
Dynamic Brake Support (DBS)	Standard
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	Standard
Engine Brake (hp) From	147
Engine Manufacturer	KMC
Engine Model	MPI Nu
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)	Optional
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)
Keyless Ignition	Optional
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)	Optional
Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA)	Optional
Model	Forte
Model Year	2017
Number of Seat Rows	2
Number of Seats	5
Number of Wheels	4
Plant City	Tijuana
Plant Company Name	KMM
Plant Country	Mexico
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching	Standard
Series	LX Popular, S
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Steering Location	Left-Hand Drive (LHD)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Top Speed (MPH)	120
Traction Control	Standard
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	3KPFL4A7*HE
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Wheel Base (inches) From	106.30
Wheel Size Front (inches)	16
Wheel Size Rear (inches)	16
Sample_VIN	3KPFL4A70HE005917