How to decode a 2016 Kia Sportage VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2016 Kia Sportage VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-letter sequences used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle globally. For the 2016 Kia Sportage, the WMI “KND” indicates the vehicle was produced by Kia Corporation, a prominent automaker based in Seoul, South Korea, specifically in the Seocho-Gu district. This code applies to multipurpose passenger vehicles (MPVs), which aligns with the Sportage’s classification. The range of model years covered by this WMI includes 1995, 1997-2002, 2005-2024, showcasing a long history of vehicle production under this identifier. This Kia Corporation’s WMI reflects not only the brand of the vehicle but also its intended use, manufacturing location, and the period during which it was produced.

List of WMI Codes for a 2016 Kia Sportage

WMI: KND

Model Years Covered: 1995, 1997-2002, 2005-2024
Example VIN: KNDPCCAC0G7805269
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 2016 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 2016 Kia Sportage:

Known VDS for a 2016 Kia Sportage
PCCAC	PC3A6	PC3AC	PCCA6	PB3AC	PBCAC

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 2016 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 2016 Kia Sportage VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
G	2016

11th Character in the 2016 Kia Sportage VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2016 Kia Sportage 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	KNDPCCAC0G7805269

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2016 Kia Sportage

The final 6 characters in a 2016 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 2016 Kia Sportage’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2016 Kia Sportage is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Kia Sportage, near where the dashboard meets the windshield. The VIN should be visible from outside the vehicle.
Examine the door post (where the door latches when it is closed) on the driver’s side of your Kia Sportage. It’s often found on a sticker or a plate in that area.
Check under the hood of your Kia Sportage. There might be a VIN plate located on the engine block, firewall, or another component.
Inspect the trunk area of your Kia Sportage. Sometimes the VIN can be found on the floor of the trunk under the carpet or on the sides.
Review your Kia Sportage’s vehicle registration, title, or insurance documents, which will all list the VIN.

What info can a 2016 Kia Sportage VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 2016, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Doors: The vehicle is classified as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle with a specific body class of Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), indicating the vehicle’s versatility and design. It likely has multiple doors, but the exact number is not specified.
Engine Type: The Kia Sportage is equipped with a 2.0L DOHC T-GDI THETA-II engine featuring a turbocharger and Gasoline Direct Injection technology, which may contribute to its enhanced performance.
Safety Features: Safety equipment includes multiple airbags located in the 1st and 2nd rows, providing comprehensive protection for occupants.
Drive Type: The drive type is indicated as 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, potentially enhancing off-road capability. The primary fuel type is gasoline, suggesting conventional fuel use.
Manufacturing Details: The vehicle was assembled in Gwangju, South Korea by Kia Motors Corporation, offering insight into its production location and manufacturer. However, further details about the exact manufacturing date are not provided.
Additional Features: The Kia Sportage comes with a Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and manual seat belt type, suggesting a focus on convenience and safety technologies. These features could offer potential benefits to the vehicle’s maintenance and safety.

Don’t have your 2016 Kia Sportage’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2016 Kia Sportage

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Displacement (CC)	2000.0
Displacement (CI)	122.04748818946
Displacement (L)	2.0
Doors	4
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Engine Model	DOHC T-GDI THETA-II
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 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)
Model	Sportage
Model Year	2016
Plant City	Gwangju
Plant Company Name	Kia Motors Corporation
Plant Country	South Korea
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series2	SL
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Trim	EX
Turbo	Yes
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	KNDPCCA6*G7
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	KNDPCCA60G7806464