How to decode a 2003 Kia Sorento VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2003 Kia Sorento VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code designated to every vehicle manufacturer around the globe, serving as the initial sequence of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This alphanumeric code precisely identifies the manufacturer’s name, vehicle type, and country of origin. For example, Kia Corporation, with its headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, uses the WMI “KND” for their multipurpose passenger vehicles (MPVs), which includes models like the 2003 Kia Sorento. The WMI not only signifies the brand but also reveals the vehicle’s assembly location, which for Kia’s “KND” series falls under Seocho-Gu, Seoul. This system plays a critical role in vehicle identification, regulation, and traceability worldwide.

List of WMI Codes for a 2003 Kia Sorento

WMI: KND

Model Years Covered: 2003-2009, 2021-2024
Example VIN: KNDJC733035038653
Manufacturer Name: Kia Corporation
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Seoul
State or Province: Seocho-Gu
Country: South Korea

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2003 Kia Sorento 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 Sorento:

Known VDS for a 2003 Kia Sorento
JC733	JD733

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 Sorento 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 Sorento VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
3	2003

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

Known 2003 Kia Sorento Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
5	Whasung		South Korea		KNDJC733035038653

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2003 Kia Sorento

The final 6 characters in a 2003 Kia Sorento’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Kia Sorento’s VIN below:

How to find a 2003 Kia Sorento’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2003 Kia Sorento is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Kia Sorento. The VIN might be visible through the windshield on a small plate near where the dashboard meets the glass.
Examine the door post (where the door latches when it is closed) on the driver’s side of your Kia Sorento. It’s typically found on a sticker or plaque when you open the door.
Open the hood of your Kia Sorento and inspect the front of the engine block. The VIN may be stamped onto the engine itself.
Look inside the vehicle where the driver’s side dashboard meets the windshield; there should be a VIN plate visible from outside the Kia Sorento.
Check underneath the spare tire in the trunk or cargo area of your Kia Sorento; sometimes the VIN is located there on a sticker.
Inspect the frame of the car between the carburetor and the windshield washer for a VIN stamp on your Kia Sorento.

What info can a 2003 Kia Sorento VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2003, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Vehicle Specifications: The VIN may include details about the engine, such as a 3.5-liter displacement with Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) design, indicating a considerable amount of power and efficiency.
Body Type and Size: It can reveal the vehicle as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) or Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 4 doors, suitable for families or off-road adventures.
Drive Type and Fuel Efficiency: A VIN might provide insights into the drive type, such as 4x2, and the primary fuel type, gasoline, important for understanding the vehicle’s performance capabilities and fuel consumption.
Manufacturing Details: The production details, including plant city Whasung and plant country South Korea, can be deduced, offering clues about the manufacturing location and possibly affecting the vehicle’s overall quality and design.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: Information such as Class 1D, indicating a weight range from 5,001 to 6,000 lb, offers insights into the vehicle’s size, payload capacity, and possibly its handling characteristics.
Safety and Design Features: VIN details like valve train design can point toward advanced engineering in safety and performance features, which for a Kia Sorento could mean enhanced reliability and driving experience.

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

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2003 Kia Sorento

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Displacement (CC)	3500.0
Displacement (CI)	213.58310433156
Displacement (L)	3.5
Doors	4
Drive Type	4x2
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)
Model	Sorento
Model Year	2003
Plant City	Whasung
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	South Korea
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	KNDJD733*35
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	KNDJD733035059807