How to decode a 1999 Kia Sportage VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1999 Kia Sportage VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer to identify the origin of their vehicles. For the 1999 Kia Sportage, the WMI indicates that the vehicle was manufactured by Kia Corporation, which is based in Seoul, specifically in the Seocho-Gu district, South Korea. This specific code denotes that the vehicle falls under the category of Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), catering to a wide array of consumer needs from family outings to cargo transport. The WMI is a critical component of every vehicle’s identification number (VIN), serving as the fingerprint for the vehicle’s manufacturing identity. Thus, for the 1999 Kia Sportage, the WMI not only confirms its South Korean origin but also highlights its versatile functionality as an MPV.

List of WMI Codes for a 1999 Kia Sportage

WMI: KND

Model Years Covered: 1995, 1997-2002, 2005-2024
Example VIN: KNDJB7230X5586825
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 1999 Kia Sportage 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 1999 Kia Sportage:

Known VDS for a 1999 Kia Sportage
JB723	JA723	JB623

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 1999 Kia Sportage 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 1999 Kia Sportage VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
X	1999

11th Character in the 1999 Kia Sportage VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1999 Kia Sportage Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
5	Whasung		South Korea		KNDJB7230X5586825

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1999 Kia Sportage

The final 6 characters in a 1999 Kia Sportage’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Kia Sportage’s VIN below:

How to find a 1999 Kia Sportage’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1999 Kia Sportage is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Kia Sportage. It is common to find the VIN visible through the windshield.
Look at the door jamb on the driver’s side of your 1999 Kia Sportage. The VIN can often be found on a label or sticker where the door latches.
Inspect the firewall of the vehicle’s engine bay, which is a common location where the VIN might be stamped or on a plate in your Kia Sportage.
Check the vehicle’s insurance and registration documents, which should list your Kia Sportage’s VIN for reference.
View the underside of the hood or on the fender well once you lift the hood of your Kia Sportage, as it may have a sticker with the VIN.

What info can a 1999 Kia Sportage VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN may indicate that the vehicle’s model year is 1999, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Vehicle Type: The VIN suggests that the vehicle is classified as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) under the category of Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle, offering insight into the intended use and body style.
Engine Specifications: The VIN provides details of a 2000 CC (2 Liters) engine displacement with a 4-cylinder Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) configuration, potentially crucial for assessing performance capabilities.
Fuel Type: The VIN indicates that the primary fuel type for this vehicle is Gasoline, providing insights into the vehicle’s energy source and potential fuel economy considerations.
Safety Features: It is suggested that the vehicle includes Front Air Bag Locations in the 1st Row (Driver and Passenger), which are crucial for evaluating safety measures.
Drive Type and Doors: The VIN specifies a 4x2 drive type and 2 doors, contributing to the vehicle’s handling characteristics and body design.
Manufacturing Details: The VIN notes the place of manufacture as Whasung, South Korea, offering insight into the vehicle’s origin which could potentially impact parts availability and overall vehicle quality.

Don’t have your 1999 Kia Sportage’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1999 Kia Sportage

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Displacement (CC)	2000
Displacement (CI)	122.0474881894
Displacement (L)	2
Doors	4
Drive Type	4x2
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)
Model	Sportage
Model Year	1999
Plant City	Whasung
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	South Korea
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	KNDJB723*X5
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	KNDJB7230X5586825