VIN Report USA

Hyundai VIN Lookup

A Hyundai VIN is a 17-character code that encodes the vehicle's factory identity: model, engine, trim, drivetrain, model year, and the plant that built it. Enter the VIN in the decoder above for an instant breakdown — year, make, model, trim, engine, drivetrain, and assembly plant — plus any open safety recalls drawn from NHTSA data. *(Free decoder widget placed here — same as homepage.)*

Select a Hyundai model

ElantraSonataTucsonSanta FePalisadeKonaIoniq 5Ioniq 6

WMI codes

5NP (Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA)MontgomeryAlabama — US-built passenger cars such as the Elantra and Sonata)5NM (HMMAMontgomeryAlabama — US-built multi-purpose vehicles such as the Santa FeTucsonand Palisade)KMH (South Korea — Korean-built passenger cars such as the Elantra and Sonata)KM8 (South Korea — Korean-built multi-purpose vehicles such as the TucsonSanta FePalisadeKonaand Ioniq 5)KND (Hyundai multi-purpose vehicle built by Kia in South Korea)3K

World Manufacturer Identifier prefixes that appear at the start of the VIN.

Where to find the VIN on a Hyundai

  • Dashboard, driver's side, the metal plate visible through the windshield from outside the car. This is the quickest spot on every Hyundai, from the Elantra to the Palisade.
  • Driver's door jamb, on the certification label on the B-pillar, alongside tire pressures, GVWR, and the build month/year.
  • Engine compartment, stamped into the firewall or a visible VIN plate under the hood; useful for verifying the dashboard plate matches the body.
  • Registration and insurance documents, the VIN also appears on the title, registration card, and insurance policy; compare these against the physical plates before you buy.

If the dashboard plate is missing, scratched, or doesn't match the door-jamb label, treat it as a red flag and have the vehicle inspected before buying.

What each part of a Hyundai VIN means

Positions Name What it tells you
1–3 WMI (World Manufacturer Identifier) Manufacturer and build country, e.g. 5NP = Hyundai, USA; KMH = Hyundai, South Korea
4–8 VDS (Vehicle Descriptor Section) Model, body style, engine, restraint system
9 Check digit A calculated character that validates the VIN is genuine
10 Model year e.g. M = 2021, N = 2022, P = 2023, S = 2025 (repeats every 30 years)
11 Assembly plant Which factory built it, e.g. H = Montgomery, Alabama
12–17 Serial number The vehicle's unique production sequence number

Common Hyundai WMI prefixes

  • 5NP, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA), Montgomery, Alabama, US-built passenger cars such as the Elantra and Sonata
  • 5NM, HMMA, Montgomery, Alabama, US-built multi-purpose vehicles such as the Santa Fe, Tucson, and Palisade
  • KMH, South Korea, Korean-built passenger cars such as the Elantra and Sonata
  • KM8, South Korea, Korean-built multi-purpose vehicles such as the Tucson, Santa Fe, Palisade, Kona, and Ioniq 5
  • KND, Hyundai multi-purpose vehicle built by Kia in South Korea (VERIFY-BEFORE-PUBLISH)
  • 3KM / 3KP, Hyundai vehicles built by Kia Motor Manufacturing Mexico (VERIFY-BEFORE-PUBLISH)

Open recalls on Hyundais

Our free decoder includes open NHTSA recalls for the exact VIN you enter. This matters for Hyundai in particular: several Hyundai model lines with Theta II GDI engines have been subject to widely reported NHTSA engine-related recalls and service campaigns. Recalls are repaired free by dealers, but a used Hyundai with unrepaired open recalls deserves a closer look, and gives you a negotiating point.

Buying a used Hyundai? Read the history first

Hyundai's strong value pricing makes used models like the Sonata, Elantra, Tucson, and Santa Fe popular buys, and popular targets for title washing, odometer rollback, and flood-damage resale. One brand-specific check matters more for Hyundai than most makes: key-start Hyundai models from model years 2011–2022 were sold without engine immobilizers, making them far easier to steal. Reporting has documented that Hyundai Elantras became the most-stolen vehicles in the US, with theft records following many of these cars. Before buying any 2011–2022 Hyundai with a traditional key ignition, check its theft record (NICB VINCheck is free) and confirm with your insurer how it affects coverage.

Full history reports are launching soon, the free decoder above already gives you factory specs and open recalls today. (Honest framing: do not imply the paid report exists yet.) As always, pair any history check with an independent pre-purchase inspection. And remember: a history report that shows no records does not prove a vehicle is accident-free or has a clean history, it only shows what was reported.

Hyundai VIN FAQ

How many characters is a Hyundai VIN?

17 characters, like all vehicles built after 1981. Letters I, O, and Q are never used.

Can I get a free Hyundai vehicle history report?

Our free decoder gives you factory specs and open NHTSA recalls at no cost. Full history reports (title brands, accidents, odometer readings) are launching soon.

What does the 10th character of a Hyundai VIN mean?

The model year. Hyundai codes repeat every 30 years (e.g. M = 2021), so the decoder resolves the correct year using the full VIN.

How can I tell if a Hyundai was built in the US or Korea?

Check the first three characters (the WMI): 5NP and 5NM mean Montgomery, Alabama, USA; KMH and KM8 mean South Korea.

Is a Hyundai VIN check enough before buying?

It's a strong start, especially for confirming specs and open recalls, but always pair it with a title/history report, a theft-record check (free via NICB VINCheck), and an independent pre-purchase inspection.

Run your free Hyundai VIN decode now, specs, model year, and open recalls in seconds.

Conclusion

Every Hyundai has a story written into its 17-character VIN, and a history written into its title records. Start with our free decoder for instant specs and open recalls, then run a full history check and get an independent inspection before you buy.

References

Specifications and recalls come from the public NHTSA vPIC database. This page is an independent reference and is not affiliated with the manufacturer.