How to decode a 2001 Kia Rio VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2001 Kia Rio VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle, the vehicle type, and the country of manufacture. Specifically, for the 2001 Kia Rio, the WMI indicates that the car is produced by Kia Corporation, which is a renowned automobile manufacturer. This vehicle is categorized as a passenger car, highlighting its primary use for transporting people. The manufacturing of this specific model is located in Seoul, South Korea, in the Seocho-Gu district. The WMI not only confirms Kia as the maker but also provides geographical insight into where the manufacturing plant is situated, ensuring traceability and authenticity of the vehicle’s origin.

List of WMI Codes for a 2001 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

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2001 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 2001 Kia Rio:

Known VDS for a 2001 Kia Rio
DC123

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 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 2001 Kia Rio VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
1	2001

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

Known 2001 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

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2001 Kia Rio

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

Check your Kia Rio’s VIN below:

How to find a 2001 Kia Rio’s VIN?

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

Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Kia Rio. The VIN can often be seen through the windshield on a plate at the corner where the dashboard meets the glass.
Inspect the doorjamb on the driver’s side of your Kia Rio. The VIN might be located on a sticker or plate where the door latches when closed.
Look under the hood of your Kia Rio; the VIN might be stamped onto the front engine block.
Examine the frame of the vehicle. The Kia Rio may have its VIN stamped on the chassis around the engine bay or under the vehicle near the driver’s side.
Check your vehicle’s title, registration, or insurance documents, which will have the VIN listed for your Kia Rio.

What info can a 2001 Kia Rio VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as possibly 2001, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN may indicate that the vehicle is categorized as a Passenger Car with a Sedan/Saloon body, offering a clear indication of the vehicle’s design and intended use.
Engine Specifications: The vehicle is reported to boast a 1.5 Liter engine, possibly incorporating a 4-cylinder Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) design, which might indicate both its power and efficiency features.
Fuel Type: According to the data, the primary fuel type for this vehicle is Gasoline, which is crucial for understanding fuel compatibility and consumption.
Safety Features: The report mentions features such as front airbags located in the 1st row (Driver and Passenger), which might underscore the vehicle’s safety measures.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: It falls within Class 1, suggesting it has a gross vehicle weight of 6,000 lb or less, which can be essential for compliance and regulatory purposes.
Manufacturing Details: The vehicle is reported to have been manufactured in Sohari, South Korea, offering a glimpse into its potential geographic origin and associated build quality and standards.

Don’t have your 2001 Kia Rio’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2001 Kia Rio

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Displacement (CC)	1500.0
Displacement (CI)	91.53561614209
Displacement (L)	1.5
Doors	4
Engine Number of Cylinders	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	Rio
Model Year	2001
Other Restraint System Info	Air bags
Plant City	Sohari
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	South Korea
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	KNADC123*16
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	KNADC123016079896