How to decode a 2002 Kia Sportage VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2002 Kia Sportage VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle, its type, and sometimes even the country where it is made. For the 2002 Kia Sportage, the WMI is “KND”, which signifies that the vehicle was manufactured by Kia Corporation. This particular WMI indicates that the vehicle is classified as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), a category that often encompasses SUVs like the Sportage. The production location for vehicles with this WMI is Seoul, specifically in the Seocho-Gu district, situating the manufacturing within South Korea. Understanding the WMI is essential for recognizing the global diversity of vehicle production and the specific origins and types of vehicles.

List of WMI Codes for a 2002 Kia Sportage

WMI: KND

Model Years Covered: 1995, 1997-2002, 2005-2024
Example VIN: KNDJB723025109109
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 2002 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 2002 Kia Sportage:

Known VDS for a 2002 Kia Sportage
JB723	JA723	JB623	JA623

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 2002 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 2002 Kia Sportage VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
2	2002

11th Character in the 2002 Kia Sportage VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2002 Kia Sportage Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
5	Whasung		South Korea		KNDJB723025109109

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2002 Kia Sportage

The final 6 characters in a 2002 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 2002 Kia Sportage’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2002 Kia Sportage is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

The dashboard on the driver’s side of your Kia Sportage is one place to look. The VIN can frequently be seen through the windshield.
Look at the door frame or door post of the driver’s side door on your 2002 Kia Sportage for a VIN sticker when you open the door.
Check under the hood of your Kia Sportage; the VIN may also be stamped on the front engine block.
On your Kia Sportage, examine the rear wheel well above the tire; occasionally the VIN is placed there.
Inspect your vehicle’s paperwork such as the title, registration, or insurance documents where the VIN of your Kia Sportage would be listed.

What info can a 2002 Kia Sportage VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2002, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Vehicle Type: The VIN might possibly indicate the vehicle type, such as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle, emphasizing its versatility.
Body Class: Details like the vehicle being a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) or Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) are typically possibly encoded, highlighting its design and intended use.
Drive Type: Information on the vehicle’s drive type, such as 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, could possibly be discerned, indicating enhanced off-road and bad-weather capabilities.
Fuel Type: The primary fuel type, for instance, Gasoline, may be specified, offering insights into fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
Engine Specifications: A VIN may possibly reveal engine details such as a displacement of 2 liters and a Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) valve train design, indicating performance characteristics.
Safety Features: Standard safety features like front airbag locations in the 1st row (Driver and Passenger) and the type of seat belt (Manual) can possibly be inferred, demonstrating its commitment to occupant protection.

Don’t have your 2002 Kia Sportage’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2002 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
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	2002
Plant City	Whasung
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	South Korea
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	KNDJB723*25
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	KNDJB723025109109