How to decode a 2012 Kia Soul VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2012 Kia Soul VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), indicating the country of manufacture, the manufacturer itself, and the vehicle type. In the case of the 2012 Kia Soul, its WMI is “KND,” revealing it to be made by Kia Corporation in South Korea, specifically in the city of Seoul, within the Seocho-Gu region. The character sequence suggests the vehicle is categorized as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), aligning with its versatile design. This coding system provides essential information at a glance, helping in the identification and verification of vehicles globally. For models spanning from 2010 to 2024, including the 2012 Kia Soul, this WMI offers a standardized method for recognizing the vehicle’s origins and basic characteristics.

List of WMI Codes for a 2012 Kia Soul

WMI: KND

Model Years Covered: 2010-2024
Example VIN: KNDJT2A60C7355031
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 2012 Kia Soul 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 2012 Kia Soul:

Known VDS for a 2012 Kia Soul
JT2A6	JT2A5	JT2A2

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 2012 Kia Soul 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 2012 Kia Soul VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
C	2012

11th Character in the 2012 Kia Soul VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2012 Kia Soul Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
7	Gwangju		South Korea	Kia Motors Corporation	KNDJT2A60C7355031

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2012 Kia Soul

The final 6 characters in a 2012 Kia Soul’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 2012 Kia Soul’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2012 Kia Soul is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Kia Soul. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield on a small metal or plastic plate.
Open the driver’s side door and examine the door post (where the door latches when it is closed). It’s common to find a sticker with the VIN on the Kia Soul.
Check under the hood. The VIN might be stamped on the engine block or on a metal plate fixed to the engine compartment.
Look in the trunk area. For some vehicles, including the Kia Soul, the VIN might be located under the spare tire or on the trunk’s sidewalls.
Inspect your vehicle’s registration documents or the insurance card, as both documents should list the VIN for your Kia Soul.
Review the Kia Soul’s service records since they typically include the VIN as part of the vehicle identification information.

What info can a 2012 Kia Soul VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting it is a 2012 model, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class: The VIN may indicate the body class as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), offering insights into its size, capacity, and intended use.
Engine Type: According to the VIN, the vehicle is equipped with a 1.6-Liter DOHC GDI GAMMA engine, suggesting power, efficiency, and performance characteristics, including a displacement of 1600.0 CC or 97.63799055157 CI.
Safety Features: Safety features such as curtain airbags located in the 1st and 2nd rows, front air bags for the driver and passenger, and side air bags for the 1st row occupants, may highlight the vehicle’s commitment to occupant protection.
Fuel Type: The VIN indicates the vehicle runs on Gasoline, with a Stoichiometric Gasoline Direct Injection (SGDI) fuel delivery system, offering insights into the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
Manufacturing Origin: The VIN reveals that the vehicle was manufactured in Gwangju by Kia Motors Corporation, South Korea, providing clues about manufacturing standards and parts availability.
Vehicle Identification: The VIN (KNDJT2A50C7353836) can be used to verify the detailed specifications, history, and authenticity of this particular vehicle.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2012 Kia Soul

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Displacement (CC)	1600.0
Displacement (CI)	97.63799055157
Displacement (L)	1.6
Doors	4
Engine Model	DOHC GDI GAMMA
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Stoichiometric Gasoline Direct Injection (SGDI)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1B: 3,001 - 4,000 lb (1,360 - 1,814 kg)
Model	Soul
Model Year	2012
Plant City	Gwangju
Plant Company Name	Kia Motors Corporation
Plant Country	South Korea
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	GL
Series2	Wagon body style
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	KNDJT2A5*C7
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	KNDJT2A50C7353836