How to decode a 2001 Kia Sportage VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2001 Kia Sportage VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are a unique sequence of three characters assigned to car manufacturers to identify the make of a vehicle globally. For the 2001 Kia Sportage, the WMI is “KND,” indicating that the vehicle was manufactured by Kia Corporation. This particular code signifies that the Sportage is classified as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), emphasizing its versatility and capacity. The vehicle hails from Seoul, located in the Seocho-Gu district of South Korea, showcasing its origins and manufacturing base. WMIs play an essential role in providing crucial information about a vehicle’s manufacturer, type, and place of production in a standardized format.

List of WMI Codes for a 2001 Kia Sportage

WMI: KND

Model Years Covered: 1995, 1997-2002, 2005-2024
Example VIN: KNDJA723015018813
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 2001 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 2001 Kia Sportage:

Known VDS for a 2001 Kia Sportage
JA723	JA623	JB623	JB723

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 2001 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 2001 Kia Sportage VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
1	2001

11th Character in the 2001 Kia Sportage VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2001 Kia Sportage Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
5	Whasung		South Korea		KNDJA723015018813

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2001 Kia Sportage

The final 6 characters in a 2001 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 2001 Kia Sportage’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2001 Kia Sportage is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Kia Sportage, as this is a common location where the VIN is often visible through the windshield.
Look at the door post (where the door latches when it is closed) on the driver’s side of your 2001 Kia Sportage; the VIN might be found on a sticker or plate in this area.
For a more thorough search, inspect the engine block of your Kia Sportage, since the VIN is sometimes stamped onto the engine itself.
If you still haven’t found it, check the vehicle’s documents such as the title, registration, or insurance card, where the VIN of your Kia Sportage will always be listed.

What info can a 2001 Kia Sportage VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the model year, such as 2001, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Type and Doors: The Sportage model is classified as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multipurpose Vehicle (MPV) with 2 doors, catering to specific consumer preferences and emphasizing its rugged utility and off-road capability.
Drive Type: The vehicle features a 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 system, highlighting its engineering focus on power, performance, and traction in various driving conditions.
Fuel Type: The primary fuel type is Gasoline, which is crucial for understanding fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
Safety Features: The presence of front airbags in the 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) highlights key safety features designed to protect occupants in the event of a collision.
Manufacturing Details: The vehicle was produced in Whasung, South Korea, providing insights into manufacturing standards, potential import status, and the origin story of the vehicle.

Don’t have your 2001 Kia Sportage’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

Search License Plate

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2001 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	2
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
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	2001
Plant City	Whasung
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	South Korea
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	KNDJA623*15
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	KNDJA623615693270