How to decode a 2011 Kia Sorento VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2011 Kia Sorento VIN

World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) are crucial components of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), uniquely representing the manufacturer of each vehicle. For the 2011 Kia Sorento, the WMI is “5XY”, indicating the vehicle was produced by Kia Georgia, Inc. This specific code confirms the Sorento is classified as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), assembled in West Point, Georgia, United States. The WMI is part of the larger VIN system that allows for the tracking and identification of vehicles, ensuring each one is unique. Understanding the WMI is essential for recognizing the origin and basic characteristics of the 2011 Kia Sorento.

List of WMI Codes for a 2011 Kia Sorento

WMI: 5XY

Model Years Covered: 2011-2024
Example VIN: 5XYKUDA20BG002607
Manufacturer Name: Kia Georgia, Inc.
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: West Point
State or Province: Georgia
Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2011 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 2011 Kia Sorento:

Known VDS for a 2011 Kia Sorento
KUDA2	KU4A1	KUDA1	KU4A2	KTDA1	KU3A1	KWDA2	KT4A1	KT3A1	KT4A2
KTCA1	KTDA2	KUCA1	KW4A2

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 2011 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 2011 Kia Sorento VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
B	2011

11th Character in the 2011 Kia Sorento VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2011 Kia Sorento Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
G		Georgia	United States	Kia Motor Manufacturing, Georgia	5XYKUDA20BG002607

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2011 Kia Sorento

The final 6 characters in a 2011 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 2011 Kia Sorento’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2011 Kia Sorento is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Inspect the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Kia Sorento. The VIN should be visible through the windshield on a small plate near where the dashboard meets the glass.
Look at the door pillar on the driver’s side when you open the door of your Kia Sorento. There should be a VIN plate or a sticker in this area, specifically where the door latches when it is closed.
Check under the hood of your Kia Sorento. You may find the VIN engraved on a plate attached to the engine block or on the firewall of the vehicle.
Examine the frame of the car by looking through the wheel well. Especially for a Kia Sorento, the VIN might be stamped on the chassis in the area where the front wheel assembly connects to the frame.
Review your Kia Sorento’s vehicle registration documents, insurance papers, or the title, as the VIN will be clearly printed on these documents.

What info can a 2011 Kia Sorento VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Make and Model: Information on the vehicle’s make and model, for example, Kia Sorento, can be obtained from the VIN.
Engine Specifications: Details about the engine, including its model as DOHC and displacement details, such as 2.4 liters, are encoded in the VIN.
Body Class and Size: The VIN can reveal the body class and size, indicating this vehicle is a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 4 doors, offering insights into the vehicle’s design and interior space.
Drive Type: Information about the vehicle’s drive type, such as 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, can be gleaned from the VIN, providing an understanding of the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
Safety Features: Safety features, including airbag locations in both the 1st and 2nd rows and the presence of a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that is of the Direct type, may be included in the VIN details.
Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for the vehicle, which in this case is Gasoline, is specified within the VIN, offering insights into the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact.

Don’t have your 2011 Kia Sorento’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2011 Kia Sorento

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Displacement (CC)	2400.0
Displacement (CI)	146.45698582735
Displacement (L)	2.4
Doors	4
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Engine Model	DOHC
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
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	2011
Plant Company Name	Kia Motor Manufacturing, Georgia
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Georgia
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	GLS
Series2	Wagon Body Type
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	5XYKUDA1*BG
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	5XYKUDA10BG016191