How to decode a 2003 Kia Rio VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2003 Kia Rio VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which denotes the manufacturer, vehicle type, and the country of manufacture. For instance, Kia Corporation, a renowned automaker headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, uses the WMI “KNA” for its passenger cars, including models produced between 2001 and 2017. This identifier is crucial for distinguishing the origin, manufacturer, and specific vehicle attributes. Specifically, vehicles like the Kia Rio, made in 2003, bear this WMI to signify they’re manufactured by Kia Corporation in South Korea, hinting at their assembly quality and design origin. This universal system facilitates vehicle tracking, identification, and recall processes globally.

List of WMI Codes for a 2003 Kia Rio

WMI: KNA

Model Years Covered: 2001-2017
Example VIN: KNADC125036204772
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 2003 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 2003 Kia Rio:

Known VDS for a 2003 Kia Rio
DC125	DC165

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 2003 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 2003 Kia Rio VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
3	2003

11th Character in the 2003 Kia Rio VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2003 Kia Rio Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
6	Sohari		South Korea		KNADC125036204772

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2003 Kia Rio

The final 6 characters in a 2003 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 2003 Kia Rio’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2003 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, near the corner where it meets the windshield. The VIN is typically displayed on a plate and visible from outside the car.
Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door post (where the door latches when it is closed). Your Kia Rio’s VIN should be on a label or sticker in this area.
View under the hood of your Kia Rio; the VIN may also be stamped on the engine block or on a metal plate affixed to the engine.
Examine the trunk area, which may also host the VIN for your Kia Rio, possibly under the trunk mat or on the trunk wall.
Check with the Kia Rio’s official documentation, such as the title, registration, or insurance papers, where the VIN will be listed.

What info can a 2003 Kia Rio VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year to be 2003, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Fuel Type: The vehicle runs on gasoline, which may indicate its fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
Engine Details: Equipped with a 1.6-liter engine and a Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) valve train, this specification suggests a balance between power and fuel economy.
Body Style and Capacity: The vehicle is designed as a Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback with 5 doors, indicating its functionality and space availability for passengers and cargo.
Safety Features: The presence of air bags is noted, offering insights into the vehicle’s safety measures.
Manufacturing Information: The vehicle was produced in Sohari, South Korea, hinting at the origin of manufacturing which can be crucial for those concerned with vehicle import history.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: Classified under Class 1, with a GVWR of 6,000 lb or less, providing an idea of the vehicle’s weight and possibly its handling characteristics.

Don’t have your 2003 Kia Rio’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2003 Kia Rio

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Displacement (CC)	1600.0
Displacement (CI)	97.63799055157
Displacement (L)	1.6
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	2003
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	KNADC125*36
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	KNADC125036204772