How to decode a 2003 Kia Spectra VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2003 Kia Spectra VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is an integral part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that uniquely identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle. The WMI for the 2003 Kia Spectra, “KNA,” signifies that the vehicle was produced by Kia Corporation. This particular WMI indicates that the vehicle was manufactured in Seoul, South Korea, within the Seocho-Gu district. The use of the WMI is critical in identifying vehicles because it not only points to the manufacturer but also provides insights into where the vehicle was made. For the 2003 Kia Spectra, this WMI covers specific model years, ranging from 2000 to 2004 and then from 2006 to 2009, specifying that the vehicle is classified as a passenger car.

List of WMI Codes for a 2003 Kia Spectra

WMI: KNA

Model Years Covered: 2000-2004, 2006-2009
Example VIN: KNAFB161035123621
Manufacturer Name: Kia Corporation
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Seoul
State or Province: Seocho-Gu
Country: South Korea

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

Known VDS for a 2003 Kia Spectra
FB161	FB121

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 Spectra 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 Spectra VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
3	2003

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

Known 2003 Kia Spectra Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
5	Whasung		South Korea		KNAFB161035123621

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2003 Kia Spectra

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

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How to find a 2003 Kia Spectra’s VIN?

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

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Kia Spectra. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield on a plate at the corner where the dashboard meets the glass.
Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb. There should be a sticker or plate on a Kia Spectra where the door latches that displays the VIN.
Check under the hood of your Kia Spectra; the VIN might also be located on a sticker or plate on the firewall of the engine compartment.
Examine the trunk area of your Kia Spectra. Sometimes the VIN can be found on the floor under the carpet, near where the spare tire is stored.
If your Kia Spectra has a rear wheel well, peer inside the well area as the VIN may be stamped on the body of the car just above the tire.
Look at the vehicle’s title or registration documents, as they will always include the VIN. This is not a physical part of your Kia Spectra, but it’s a reliable source for the VIN.

What info can a 2003 Kia Spectra VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, such as 2003, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Size: It can disclose the body class, indicating that the vehicle is a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, which describes the general shape and functionality of the car.
Engine Specifications: Detailed engine information, such as a displacement of 1.8 liters (1800.0 CC or 109.84273937051 CI), a four-cylinder configuration, and a Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) valve train design, are typically encoded within the VIN.
Fuel Type: The VIN can specify the primary fuel type the vehicle uses, for example, Gasoline, which informs on the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
Safety Features: Locations of safety features, like front airbags in the 1st Row (Driver and Passenger), can be inferred, highlighting the vehicle’s commitment to occupant safety.
Manufacturing Details: The VIN reveals specific manufacturing details, including the plant city Whasung and plant country South Korea, shedding light on the vehicle’s production origin.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): It provides information on the vehicle’s weight class, identified as Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), which can be crucial for understanding performance, handling, and usage restrictions.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2003 Kia Spectra

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback
Displacement (CC)	1800.0
Displacement (CI)	109.84273937051
Displacement (L)	1.8
Doors	5
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Model	Spectra
Model Year	2003
Plant City	Whasung
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	South Korea
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	KNAFB161*35
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	KNAFB161035123621