How to decode a 2008 Kia Sorento VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2008 Kia Sorento VIN

World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) are unique codes assigned to every vehicle manufacturer for identification purposes, comprising the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). These codes reveal essential information about the vehicle, including the manufacturer’s name, vehicle type, and country of origin. For the 2008 Kia Sorento, the WMI “KND” indicates that the vehicle was manufactured by Kia Corporation, specifically designed as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV). This model was produced in Seoul, within the Seocho-Gu province of South Korea. WMIs serve as a global standard for classifying vehicles, allowing for straightforward identification and verification of a vehicle’s manufacturing origin and type.

List of WMI Codes for a 2008 Kia Sorento

WMI: KND

Model Years Covered: 2003-2009, 2021-2024
Example VIN: KNDJD735085761053
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 2008 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 2008 Kia Sorento:

Known VDS for a 2008 Kia Sorento
JD735	JC736	JD736	JC735

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 2008 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 2008 Kia Sorento VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
8	2008

11th Character in the 2008 Kia Sorento VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2008 Kia Sorento Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
5	Hwasung		South Korea	Kia Motors Corporation	KNDJD735085761053

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2008 Kia Sorento

The final 6 characters in a 2008 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 2008 Kia Sorento’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2008 Kia Sorento is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Kia Sorento. Typically, the VIN can be seen through the windshield on a small plaque affixed to the dashboard.
Look at the door pillar on the driver’s side of your 2008 Kia Sorento. When you open the driver’s door, you can find the VIN on a label or sticker where the door latches.
Inspect the engine block of your Kia Sorento, as the VIN is often stamped onto the engine itself.
Check the frame of the vehicle. The VIN can sometimes be found on the car’s frame under the hood or within the door openings.
Look at your Kia Sorento’s vehicle title, registration, or insurance documents. All of these documents should contain the VIN.

What info can a 2008 Kia Sorento VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN suggests that the vehicle may be from the 2008 model year, indicating its age and potentially its technological features at the time of manufacture.
Vehicle Specifications: This VIN decodes to a Kia Sorento, providing insights into the vehicle’s make and model, alongside specific features such as a 3.3-liter engine displacement and a V-Shaped engine configuration.
Body Class and Size: The body class is identified as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), which could offer clues about its design, space, and utility, with the ability to accommodate up to 5 passengers and featuring 4 doors.
Drive Type and Transmission: It is characterized by a 4x2 drive type coupled with an automatic transmission style and 5 transmission speeds, aspects that define its drivetrain and handling characteristics.
Fuel Efficiency and Engine Power: With a primary fuel type of gasoline and an engine brake horsepower starting from 242, this information provides an overview of its performance capabilities and fuel consumption patterns.
Safety Features: The presence of a Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) suggests advanced safety features designed to alert drivers to tire pressure issues, enhancing overall vehicle safety.
Manufacturing Details: The vehicle was possibly assembled in Hwasung, South Korea, by Kia Motors Corporation, offering insights into the geographical origin of manufacturing which might influence perceptions of build quality and availability of parts.

Don’t have your 2008 Kia Sorento’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2008 Kia Sorento

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Displacement (CC)	3800.0
Displacement (CI)	231.89022755998
Displacement (L)	3.8
Doors	4
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Engine Brake (hp) From	262
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
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	2008
Number of Seats	5
Plant City	Hwasung
Plant Company Name	Kia Motors Corporation
Plant Country	South Korea
Series	BL
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Transmission Speeds	5
Transmission Style	Automatic
Vehicle Descriptor	KNDJC736*85
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	KNDJC736085761999