Hyundai VIN Decoder
All Hyundai SUVs, sedans, hybrids, EVs, and crossovers have unique VINs that can be decoded to view vehicle specifications, features, production details, and even history records. With the Hyundai VIN decoder, car buyers and sellers can learn everything they need to know about any Hyundai and make informed decisions.
Compare several vehicles with our Hyundai VIN decoder.
What is a Hyundai VIN Number?
A Hyundai VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a unique 17-character code assigned to each vehicle manufactured by Hyundai. It can be used to access specific information about any Hyundai, providing detailed information about its make, model, year of manufacture, engine type, transmission, and more.
The main benefit of the VIN is that it ensures the vehicle’s authenticity and helps verify its specifications. It also helps in tracing a vehicle’s history, including accident records, recalls, or theft status, allowing consumers to spot damaged, stolen, or salvaged vehicles.
Hyundai VIN Number Breakdown – How to Read a Hyundai VIN Number
Before we start, note that the letters Q (q), I (i), and O (o) are omitted from a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to avoid confusion with the numbers 1, 0, and 9.
Now, let’s break down what all those characters in a Hyundai VIN mean. A VIN is made up of 17 characters (except in classic vehicles), and each one gives you a clue about your Hyundai’s specific details. These characters are also grouped into three segments to make decoding easier, they are:
- World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI): This includes the first three characters and signifies the vehicle’s country of origin and manufacturer.
- Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS): This section includes the 4th to 9th characters and contains information about the vehicle’s make, engine specs, model, and more.
- Vehicle Identifier Section: Here, you will find the 10th to 17th characters, which encode details like the model year, manufacturing plant code, and a serial number unique to each vehicle.
What does each character mean?
1st Character: Hyundai Country of Origin
With the first character, you can tell where the vehicle was manufactured. This helps identify the country of production.
- 1, 3 = United States
- 2 = Canada
- K = Korea
For example, a Hyundai with a VIN starting with “1” was built in the U.S., while a “2” indicates Canadian production.
2nd Character: Division
The second character in the VIN shows the exact division. For example:
- H = Hyundai USA or Bromont, Canada
- M = Hyundai Korea
3rd Character: Brand
Hyundai uses specific plant and subdivision identifiers within its VIN. If the character in this position is “3” and the eleventh character is either “H” or “W,” the vehicle was manufactured by Hyundai USA. If the character is “M,” the vehicle was built in Bromont, Canada. Any other character in this position signifies that the vehicle was produced in Hyundai’s plant in Korea.
4th Character: Model
The fourth character identifies the model of your Hyundai. Some common Hyundais will have these codes as their fourth characters:
- C = Sonata, Accent
- D = Elantra
- F = Azera
- G = Equus, Genesis Coupe
- H = Tiburon
- J = Elantra, Tucson
- L = Other models
- N = Veracruz
- S = Santa Fe
- V = Accent, Excel and S-Coupe
- W = Sonata
5th Character: Body Style
This character indicates your Hyundai’s body style or type of vehicle. For example:
- A = 5-door hatchback
- C = Convertible
- D = 3-door hatchback
- F = Sedan
- G = Coupe
- P = Van
- S, W = Wagon
- V = Minivan
Note that the 5th character in some models, specifically 2001 to 2009 models, indicates the trim level. To be sure of what this character represents, use a Hyundai VIN decoder.
6th Character: Trim Level
The sixth character of the VIN represents the vehicle’s trim level.
- 1 = Base model
- 2 = GL
- 3 = GLS, LS, LX, or GS
The sixth character of the Hyundai VIN could also represent the body style of the 2001 to 2009 models.
- 1, 8 = Front wheel drive wagon
- 2 = Minivan
- 3 = 3-door hatchback
- 4 = Sedan
- 5 = 5-door hatchback
- 6 = Coupe
- 7 = All wheel drive wagon
7th Character: Safety Systems
The seventh character identifies the safety systems installed in the passenger compartment of the vehicle at the factory. Some codes are:
- 1 = Seat belts only
- 2 = Airbags
- 3 = Driver airbag
- 4 = Driver and passenger airbag
- 5 = Drive airbag and passenger airbag with On/Off switch
8th Character: Engine
The eighth character on a VIN tells the engine’s specifications. This helps to know the engine’s size, configuration, and sometimes fuel type. Keep in mind that most characters are reused here, and you can only be sure with a Hyundai VIN decoder.
9th Character: Check Digit
This digit simply verifies that the VIN is authentic and not a fake string of random characters. It is calculated using a specific algorithm developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
10th Character: Model Year
The tenth character indicates the model year and alternates between numbers and letters. Each letter represents a specific year; ‘W,’ for example, signifies a Hyundai from the 1998 model year.
Here’s a table that can help you easily identify any Hyundai’s model year:
| Code/Year | Code/Year | Code/Year | Code/Year | Code/Year |
| A 1980 B 1981 C 1982 D 1983 E 1984 F 1985 G 1986 H 1987 J 1988 K 1989 | L 1990 M 1991 N 1992 P 1993 R 1994 S 1995 T 1996 V 1997 W 1998 X 1999 | Y 2000 1 2001 2 2002 3 2003 4 2004 5 2005 6 2006 7 2007 8 2008 9 2009 | A 2010 B 2011 C 2012 D 2013 E 2014 F 2015 G 2016 H 2017 J 2018 K 2019 | L 2020 M 2021 N 2022 P 2023 R 2024 S 2025 T 2026 V 2027 W 2028 X 2029 |
11th Character: Assembly Plant
The eleventh character shows the vehicle’s assembly plant – the exact factory where the vehicle was built. Some of these plants are:
- A = Asan, Korea
- C = Changwon, Korea
- K = Gwangju, Korea
- U = Ulsan, Korea
- 6 = Sohari, Korea
- B = Bromont, Canada
- H = Montgomery, Alabama, USA
- W = Los Angeles, USA
12th to 17th Characters: Serial Number
These characters make up the unique sequential number of the Hyundai. This distinguishes it uniquely from other Hyundais with the same model, trim, etc., manufactured in the same plant.
Where is the VIN Number on a Hyundai?
Finding the VIN on a Hyundai is a simple task because its everywhere on the vehicle; you just need to know where to look. Hyundai places the VIN in several locations on the vehicle and documents to make it easier to spot.
Here’s where you can find the VIN number on a Hyundai:
- On the dashboard of the vehicle, near the windshield
- On the driver’s side door jamb
- On the engine block
- On the vehicle’s firewall
- In the left-hand inner wheel arch
- On the steering wheel/steering column
- On the radiator support bracket
- On the car’s title, registration, maintenance book, or the auto insurance policy
With a simple look, you should find the VIN on your vehicle.
What Information Can I Get from a Hyundai VIN Lookup?
You can learn everything about a vehicle from when it was manufactured until the current date with a Hyundai VIN number lookup. This includes vehicle specifications, features, build sheets, options, packages, and even history records.
Here’s a glimpse of specifications you can access when you decode the VIN with a Hyundai VIN decoder:
- Year
- Make
- Exterior dimensions
- Number of doors
- Ground clearance
- Standard seating
- Transmission style
- Fuel type
- Braking
- Range extender
- Engine Description
- Front airbag information
- Emissions
- Cargo dimensions
- Model
- Valve train design
- Interior dimensions
- Suspension
- Traction battery
- Engine Size and specs
- Drive Type
- Tank capacity
- Trailering
- Displacement
- Mileage
- Tire pressure and size
- Wheels
- Electrical powertrain
- Trim
- Country
- Delivery charges
- Steering
- Weight
- MSRP
- Body type
- Seating
- EPA Class
- Engine model
- Engine configuration
- Seat belt type
- Off-road attributes
- Electrical specifications
- Year
- Make
- Exterior dimensions
- Number of doors
- Ground clearance
- Standard seating
- Transmission style
- Fuel type
- Braking
- Range extender
- Engine Description
- Front airbag information
- Emissions
- Cargo dimensions
- Model
- Valve train design
- Interior dimensions
- Suspension
- Traction battery
- Engine Size and specs
- Drive Type
- Tank capacity
- Trailering
- Displacement
- Mileage
- Tire pressure and size
- Wheels
- Electrical powertrain
- Trim
- Country
- Delivery charges
- Steering
- Weight
- MSRP
- Body type
- Seating
- EPA Class
- Engine model
- Engine configuration
- Seat belt type
- Off-road attributes
- Electrical specifications
Not just that, a Hyundai VIN lookup also tracks vehicle history records from when the vehicle first left the factory. Some records you can view include:
- Mileage
- Odometer Readings
- Sales History
- Auction History
- Accident History
- Title Brand
- Salvage Title
- Hail Damage
- Flood Damage
- Structural Damage
- Ownership History
- Usage History
- Ownership Duration
- Lien & Loans
- Maintenance Schedule
- Warranty Status
- Repair Cost
- Recalls History
- Mileage
- Odometer Readings
- Sales History
- Auction History
- Accident History
- Title Brand
- Salvage Title
- Hail Damage
- Flood Damage
- Structural Damage
- Ownership History
- Usage History
- Ownership Duration
- Lien & Loans
- Maintenance Schedule
- Warranty Status
- Repair Cost
- Recalls History
Before searching for other online tools, we would recommend you use ours. Not all providers can give you all details listed on this page. Use our window sticker lookup tool to get all the specifications on a window sticker.
How to Decode a Hyundai VIN Number?
If you have the Hyundai VIN handy, you can decode it with our Hyundai VIN decoder instantly with just a few steps:
- Enter the Hyundai VIN in the form above. Our tool can decode standard VINs (17 characters) and classic VINs (5 – 14 characters). You can also use the license plate number or the year, make, and model of the vehicle if you don’t have the VIN.
- Click on ‘Search’ to preview your vehicle’s specifications for free.
- Complete the payment process to get a detailed vehicle history report showing vehicle specifications and history records.
Using our Hyundai VIN decoder, you can also break down all the characters of a VIN to access the specifications and build data, whether for classic or modern vehicles.
Common Uses of the Hyundai VIN Number
The Hyundai VIN is primarily used for identifying a specific Hyundai and can also be used for various purposes, including:
Vehicle Registration
Number one on our list is vehicle registration. Every vehicle needs to be registered at State Bureaus or local DMVs before they can be driven. During this process of registration, the VIN is required for all paperwork including, the ownership documents, bill of sale (from the seller), titles, and all other vehicle documents.
Insurance Purposes
You would also need to provide the VIN during insurance registration and claims. With a VIN number lookup, insurance companies can check specific information – like safety systems and features installed and past records of damages, theft, etc. This helps them make accurate quotes.
Window Stickers
The VIN is very useful in generating window stickers to check any vehicle’s specifications, such as make, model, engine type, trim, transmission, pricing, warranty coverage, build data, and more. This ensures that potential buyers can verify the exact features and details of the vehicle before making a purchase.
Vehicle History Checks
The VIN also becomes useful during used car purchases. Most used vehicles have hidden records that contribute to the vehicle’s reliability. With the VIN, anyone can check theft records, sales records, damages, accidents, salvage brands, rebuilt titles, warranty coverage, and more.
This helps them make better choices and even have better negotiations.
Police Checks
If a vehicle gets reported as stolen, the police can keep track of that vehicle using the VIN. They can even place police markers on those VINs and get alerts at checkpoints.
Safety Recalls
Since manufacturers have VINs right in their database, they can easily identify specific vehicle models that get recalled and notify the owners to get them fixed as soon as possible. Car buyers can also check for pending recalls on any used car before purchasing using the VIN.
Top Hyundai Models You Can Lookup With a Hyundai VIN Decoder
Our Hyundai VIN decoder can break down the VIN of your favorite models to view specs, features, and history, including:
| Tucson | IONIQ 5 | Nexo | Tucson PHEV |
| Elantra | IONIQ 6 | Santa Cruz | Accent |
| Santa Fe | Palisade | IONIQ 5 N | Inster |
| Sonata | Venue | Elantra Hybrid | Sonata Hybrid |
| Kona | Veloster N | Kona Electric | Hyundai Excel |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I decode my Hyundai VIN number?
You can decode your Hyundai VIN number with a VIN decoder. To get your VIN decoded, simply enter the VIN into the form on this page and submit it. Your VIN will be decoded instantly to provide all vehicle specifications, features, pricing, and more on a window sticker.
Can I lookup my vehicle specs by VIN number?
Yes, you can look up vehicle specs with the VIN number. You can also view your vehicle’s specifications with the license plate number or even just with the vehicle’s year, make, and model information.
Is there a free VIN decoder?
Yes, our VIN decoder is free to use. With this tool you can view the engine specifications, year, make, model, transmission, vehicle type, and more, all for free. To get a full check and a copy of your vehicle’s original window sticker, you may need to pay a fee.
How do I check my Hyundai recalls by VIN number?
You can check the status of your Hyundai’s recalls by getting a full vehicle history report using our tool. Fill out the form on this page and select the “get vehicle history report” option to view past and pending recalls.