How to decode a 2001 Kia Optima VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2001 Kia Optima VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle. It’s part of the larger Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) system, which includes detailed information about a car’s origin, make, model, and features. In the case of the 2001 Kia Optima, its WMI is “KNA,” indicating that it was manufactured by Kia Corporation in South Korea. Specifically, the code signifies that the production occurred in Seoul, within the Seocho-Gu district. This identifier not only confirms the vehicle as a passenger car but also attests to Kia’s standing as a global car manufacturer based in one of South Korea’s major cities.

List of WMI Codes for a 2001 Kia Optima

WMI: KNA

Model Years Covered: 2001-2020
Example VIN: KNAGD124015075890
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 2001 Kia Optima 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 2001 Kia Optima:

Known VDS for a 2001 Kia Optima
GD124	GD126

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 2001 Kia Optima 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 2001 Kia Optima VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
1	2001

11th Character in the 2001 Kia Optima VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2001 Kia Optima Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
5	Whasung		South Korea		KNAGD124015075890

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2001 Kia Optima

The final 6 characters in a 2001 Kia Optima’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 2001 Kia Optima’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2001 Kia Optima is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Kia Optima. The VIN might be visible through the windshield on a small plate attached to the dashboard.
Examine the door pillar on the driver’s side of your Kia Optima. When you open the driver’s side door, check the area where the door latches to the frame of the car for a VIN sticker.
Inspect the engine bay of your Kia Optima. The VIN may also be found stamped on the engine block or a plate attached to the engine compartment.
Peer into the trunk area of your Kia Optima. Sometimes the VIN can be located in the trunk under the spare tire or on the walls of the trunk compartment.
Review your Kia Optima’s vehicle registration documents, insurance papers, or title/ownership documents, as the VIN will be printed on all official vehicle documentation.

What info can a 2001 Kia Optima VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, possibly indicating it is a 2001 model, offering insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Vehicle Type: It can specify that the vehicle is designed for use as a passenger car, which may affect the insurance and registration requirements.
Body Class and Size: The VIN indicates the vehicle is a Sedan/Saloon, which might imply a mid-size body class with 4 doors, providing some details about the vehicle’s design and interior space.
Engine Specifications: The engine is described with a displacement of 2.4 liters or 2400 CC, featuring a Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) design and four cylinders, possibly emphasizing its efficiency and power, which could influence its performance.
Fuel Type: It specifies that the primary fuel type for the engine is Gasoline, which might offer a balance between performance and fuel economy for the vehicle.
Safety Features: The presence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger in the first row is highlighted, possibly indicating a focus on safety in frontal impacts, which may affect the vehicle’s safety ratings.
Manufacturing Details: The vehicle is manufactured in Whasung, South Korea, offering insight into the geographic origin and potentially the manufacturing standards of the vehicle, which may provide clues about its quality and reliability.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2001 Kia Optima

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Displacement (CC)	2500.0
Displacement (CI)	152.55936023683
Displacement (L)	2.5
Doors	4
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 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	Optima
Model Year	2001
Plant City	Whasung
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	South Korea
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Vehicle Descriptor	KNAGD124*15
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	KNAGD124015075890