How to decode a 2009 Kia Sorento VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2009 Kia Sorento VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle as part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This code, consisting of the first three characters of the VIN, reveals the vehicle’s manufacturer, the type of vehicle, and the country of manufacture. For instance, Kia Corporation, based in Seoul, South Korea, utilizes the WMI “KND” for certain models, including the 2009 Kia Sorento. This identifies the vehicle as a multipurpose passenger vehicle produced by Kia. The WMI is crucial for vehicle registration, identification, and regulatory purposes, providing a standardized method to track vehicles globally.

List of WMI Codes for a 2009 Kia Sorento

WMI: KND

Model Years Covered: 2003-2009, 2021-2024
Example VIN: KNDJC735095868219
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 2009 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 2009 Kia Sorento:

Known VDS for a 2009 Kia Sorento
JC735	JD735	JC736	JD736

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 2009 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 2009 Kia Sorento VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
9	2009

11th Character in the 2009 Kia Sorento VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2009 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	KNDJC735095868219

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2009 Kia Sorento

The final 6 characters in a 2009 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 2009 Kia Sorento’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2009 Kia Sorento is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Kia Sorento. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield on a small plate attached to the dashboard.
Inspect the door jamb on the driver’s side of your 2009 Kia Sorento. Look for a sticker or plate where the door latches when it is closed, as the VIN is often located there.
Examine the frame of the car. On your Kia Sorento, the VIN might be stamped onto the chassis in the engine bay, or on the frame near the windshield washer container.
Review your Kia Sorento’s vehicle registration documents, insurance papers, or title, as these will all have the VIN listed.
Look in the spare tire well. Sometimes, the VIN is located here on a label in the 2009 Kia Sorento.
If your Kia Sorento has a front bench seat, check beneath the seat; the VIN might be found on a sticker or metal plate attached to the floor between the driver seat and the center console.

What info can a 2009 Kia Sorento VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2009, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN indicates the vehicle as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle, specifically a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), offering details about the vehicle’s intended use and design.
Engine Specifications: From the VIN, it can be inferred that the engine has a V-shaped configuration with 6 cylinders and a displacement of 3.3 liters, indicating a balance between power and size.
Fuel Type: The VIN specifies that the primary fuel type for the engine is Gasoline, possibly catering to users interested in traditional fuel options.
Drive Type: The VIN indicates that the vehicle is equipped with 4WD (4-Wheel Drive, 4x4), possibly enhancing its capability in various terrain and weather conditions.
Manufacturing Details: The VIN encodes manufacturing details such as the plant’s location in Hwasung, South Korea, and the company name, Kia Motors Corporation, offering insight into the vehicle’s manufacturing origin.
Safety Features: The VIN indicates the inclusion of a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) of the Direct type, suggesting modern safety and vehicle maintenance features are possibly part of the vehicle’s specifications.

Don’t have your 2009 Kia Sorento’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2009 Kia Sorento

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Displacement (CC)	3300.0
Displacement (CI)	201.37835551261
Displacement (L)	3.3
Doors	4
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
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	2009
Plant City	Hwasung
Plant Company Name	Kia Motors Corporation
Plant Country	South Korea
Series	BL
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Vehicle Descriptor	KNDJC735*95
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	KNDJC735095868219