How to decode a Kia Rio VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Kia Rio VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter code allocated to each car manufacturer that signifies the brand, country of manufacture, and the type of the vehicle. For example, Kia Rio models from 2001 to 2017 have the WMI KNA, indicating they were manufactured by Kia Corporation in Seoul, South Korea, and are classified as passenger cars. Starting from 2018 up to the current year 2023, Kia Rio models bear the WMI 3KP, showing that production shifted to Kia Mexico S.A. de C.V. in Pesqueria, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, while still maintaining their status as passenger cars. This shift in WMIs reflects not just a change in the manufacturing location but also the global footprint and distribution strategy of the Kia brand. WMIs are essential for accurately identifying vehicles, assisting in tracking recalls, registrations, and history.

List of WMI Codes for a Kia Rio

WMI: KNA

Model Years Covered: 2001-2017
Example VIN: KNADC123016079896
Manufacturer Name: Kia Corporation
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Seoul
State or Province: Seocho-Gu
Country: South Korea

WMI: 3KP

Model Years Covered: 2018-2023
Example VIN: 3KPA24AB0JE044420
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 Kia Rio 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 Kia Rio:

Known VDS for a Kia Rio
DC123	DC163	DC125	DC165	DE123	DE163	DE223	DE243	DH4A3	DH4B3
DH5A3	DH5B3	DN5A3	DN4A3	DM4A3	DM5A3	A24AB	A34AB	A25AB	A35AB
A24AD	A25AD

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 Kia Rio 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 Kia Rio VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
P	2023 Kia Rio
N	2022 Kia Rio
M	2021 Kia Rio
L	2020 Kia Rio
K	2019 Kia Rio
J	2018 Kia Rio
H	2017 Kia Rio
G	2016 Kia Rio
F	2015 Kia Rio
E	2014 Kia Rio
D	2013 Kia Rio
C	2012 Kia Rio
B	2011 Kia Rio
A	2010 Kia Rio
9	2009 Kia Rio
8	2008 Kia Rio
7	2007 Kia Rio
6	2006 Kia Rio
5	2005 Kia Rio
4	2004 Kia Rio
3	2003 Kia Rio
2	2002 Kia Rio
1	2001 Kia Rio

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

Known Kia Rio Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
6	Sohari		South Korea		KNADC123016079896
E	Tijuana		Mexico	Kia Motors Mexico S.A. De C.V. (Kmm)	3KPA24AB0JE044420

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Kia Rio

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

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How to find a Kia Rio’s VIN?

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

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Kia Rio. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield on a metal or plastic identification plate.
Open the driver’s side door and examine the door jamb. The Kia Rio usually has a VIN sticker or plate in this area, where the door latches when closed.
Check under the hood; the VIN might also be found on a plate or sticker located on the engine block or other components within the engine bay of your Kia Rio.
Inspect the rear wheel well. On some Kia Rio models, the VIN can be found on the inside of the wheel well above the tire.
Review your vehicle’s registration documents or insurance papers. The VIN of your Kia Rio will be listed there as well.

What info can a Kia Rio VIN reveal?

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

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a Kia Rio

Vehicle Spec	Value
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)	Standard
Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs	Standard
Axles	2
Backup Camera	Standard
Base Price ($)	16900.00
Body Class	Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Daytime Running Light (DRL)	Standard
Displacement (CC)	1600.0
Displacement (CI)	97.63799055157
Displacement (L)	1.6
Doors	5
Drive Type	FWD/Front-Wheel Drive
Dynamic Brake Support (DBS)	Standard
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	Standard
Engine Brake (hp) From	120
Engine Manufacturer	KMC
Engine Model	Gamma II
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)	Standard
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)
Headlamp Light Source	LED
Keyless Ignition	Standard
Model	Rio
Model Year	2021
Number of Seat Rows	2
Number of Seats	5
Number of Wheels	4
Other Restraint System Info	Seat Belt: All Positions
Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB)	Standard
Plant Company Name	Kia Motors Mexico S.A. De C.V
Plant Country	Mexico
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching	Standard
Series	LX, S
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Steering Location	Left-Hand Drive (LHD)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Traction Control	Standard
Transmission Style	Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
Vehicle Descriptor	3KPA25AD*ME
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Wheel Base (inches) From	101.60
Wheel Size Front (inches)	15
Wheel Size Rear (inches)	15
Sample_VIN	3KPA25AD0ME365627