Kia VIN Decoder, VIN Lookup and Options Lists
Your 17 character Kia VIN tells you the model year, engine, trim series, drive and where it was built. Enter it below to use our free Kia VIN decoder and VIN lookup, then check engine size, paint codes, the build date and how to get the original options list for your Telluride, Sorento, Sportage, Optima or K5.
Try It Yourself. Copy/Paste This Kia VIN Into Our Decoder Below: 5XYP5DHC2NG024680
VIN Decoder & Build Sheet
Check VIN identity, factory spec, recalls, complaints, and ownership risks before you buy.
Pre Purchase VIN Check
Fuel Economy, Emissions & Running Cost
EPA fuel economy for the vehicle year and model profile.
Additional Vehicle Specs
Supplementary spec matching for output such as power, transmission, size, and weight.
Recalls, Complaints & Mechanical Failures
Model level safety and complaint data for the decoded year, make, and model.
Vehicle Ownership Insights
Platform specific reliability patterns, critical engine platform audits, and pre purchase inspection guidance.
Likely Factory Option Profile
Probability model for common package combinations around this production era.
The free scan verifies identity and surfaces early risk signals. The paid report goes deeper into what those signals mean for ownership, repairs, and buying confidence.
Unlock Full VIN ReportWhere to Find the VIN and Build Date on a Kia
Every Kia since 1981 carries the same 17 character VIN in at least three places, and the label in the door opening also gives you the month and year it was built.
On the vehicle
- Dashboard A plate at the base of the windshield, readable from outside on the driver side
- Door opening The certification label on the driver side B pillar, with the VIN, build date and paint code
- Under the hood Stamped on the firewall or a label nearby on many models
On the paperwork
- Title and registration The VIN is printed on both
- Insurance card Usually shown in full
- Kia Connect app Listed under your vehicle details if the car is linked
Checking a Kia's manufacturing date? The VIN only gives the model year. The month and year of production are on the door label.
Kia VIN Breakdown: How to Read a Kia VIN
Kia's VIN puts the model line, trim series and engine in the middle section, so a quick read tells you more than the year. Here's a 2022 Telluride SX with all wheel drive, built in Georgia.
5XYP5DHC2NG024680: 2022 Kia Telluride SX AWD, 3.8 V6, built in West Point, Georgia
- 5XY: country, maker and type
- 5 is the US and XY is a Kia SUV from the Georgia plant. A Korean built Kia SUV starts KND.
- P5DH: line, series, body and restraints
- P is the Telluride and 5 is the SX series. D marks the all wheel drive version, where a front wheel drive SX shows 4. H covers the restraint system.
- C: engine
- C is the 3.8 V6, the only engine in this Telluride. Character 8 is how to tell engine size by VIN on any Kia.
- 2: check digit
- Worked out from the other 16 characters, so a typo in a listing usually shows up here.
- N: model year
- N is 2022.
- G: plant
- West Point, Georgia, Kia's US plant and home of the Telluride.
- 024680: serial
- The sequence number for this one Telluride.
What the first three characters mean
- KNA Kia car built in Korea: Forte, Rio, Stinger, K5
- KND Kia SUV or minivan built in Korea: Sportage, Soul, Niro, EV6, Carnival
- 5XX Kia car built in the US: Optima, K5
- 5XY Kia SUV built in the US: Sorento, Telluride, Sportage
- 3KP Kia built in Mexico: Forte, Rio
- U5Y Kia built in Slovakia for Europe: Ceed, Sportage
Kia factory codes, character 11
- G West Point, Georgia
- E Pesquería, Mexico
- 5 Hwaseong, Korea
- 7 Gwangju, Korea
Hyundai's Santa Fe Sport was also built at Kia's Georgia plant for a time, so a 5XY prefix isn't always a Kia. Characters 4 to 8 settle it.
Kia model year codes, character 10
- A2010
- B2011
- C2012
- D2013
- E2014
- F2015
- G2016
- H2017
- J2018
- K2019
- L2020
- M2021
- N2022
- P2023
- R2024
- S2025
- T2026
Does a Kia VIN Lookup Show the Options List?
Not from the 17 characters alone. The VIN tells you the model, series, drive and engine. The options, meaning the packages and add ons ordered on top of the trim, are recorded in three other places.
Window sticker
The original Monroney sticker lists the trim, every package by name, like the SX Prestige Package on a Telluride, and the price. Any Kia dealer can usually print a copy from the VIN.
Door label and the car itself
The door label gives the paint code and build date. Trim level features, like ventilated seats, a head up display or Nappa leather, are easy to check in person against the sticker.
Third party reports
Some sites sell Kia window stickers or build sheets by VIN. They pull from the same source data, so ask a dealer first.
Kia Code Decoder
Paste engine codes, paint codes from the door label, generation codes or Kia's driver assistance abbreviations. Each one comes back in plain English.
Separate codes with spaces, commas or new lines.
Codes not in our list
Find one code
Look up a Kia code or search by name.
Type a code or a name to search.
Click a code to copy it. Kia codes can vary by market and model year, so check anything important against your own car.
Kia Paint Codes and Colors
Kia's paint code is two or three characters on the door label. These are the colors you'll see most on Telluride, Sorento and Optima models.
SWP
Snow White Pearl
Kia's pearl white on many models.
GWP
Glacial White Pearl
Pearl white on Telluride and Sorento.
EB
Ebony Black
Solid black.
ABP
Aurora Black Pearl
Black with a pearl flake.
4SS
Silky Silver
Bright silver.
KCS
Sparkling Silver
Silver metallic.
IM
Titanium Silver
Mid silver grey.
C7S
Wolf Gray
Telluride grey.
KDG
Gravity Gray
Dark grey, very common.
ABT
Platinum Graphite
Charcoal metallic.
GMS
Dark Moss
Olive green on Telluride.
DU2
Sapphire Blue
Deep blue on Sorento.
M5U
Horizon Blue
Mid blue on Optima.
B3U
Smokey Blue
Blue grey.
TR3
Remington Red
Deep red on Optima.
M2R
Sangria
Dark red pearl.
Swatch colors are close, not exact. Order paint by the code on the door label.
Which Packages Are on My Kia?
Kia keeps its packages simple, which makes them easy to check once you know what each one adds. These are the names you'll see most on window stickers.
| Package or trim | Found on | How to spot it |
|---|---|---|
| SX Prestige Package | Telluride, Sorento | Nappa leather, ventilated second row seats and a head up display |
| X-Line and X-Pro | Telluride, Sorento, Sportage | Raised ride height, unique wheels, and all terrain tires on X-Pro |
| GT-Line | Forte, K5, Sportage, Sorento, Seltos | Sport styling, badges and wheels, usually without the GT engine |
| GT | Forte, K5, Stinger, EV6 | The performance version, with a bigger turbo engine or more power |
| Nightfall Edition | Telluride and others | Black wheels and black exterior trim |
| Towing Package | Telluride, Sorento | Factory hitch, wiring and self leveling rear suspension on Telluride |
| Kia Drive Wise | Most recent models | Kia's name for its driver assistance suite. Which features you get depends on the trim. |
Which Kia Do I Have? Model Generations by Year
Kia models change a lot between generations, so the model year in character 10 is the first thing to check. These are the generation codes enthusiasts and parts catalogs use.
| Model | Generations |
|---|---|
| Optima and K5 | TF Optima 2011 to 2015, JF Optima 2016 to 2020, DL3 K5 2021 on |
| Sorento | XM 2011 to 2015, UM 2016 to 2020, MQ4 2021 on |
| Sportage | SL 2011 to 2016, QL 2017 to 2022, NQ5 2023 on |
| Soul | AM 2010 to 2013, PS 2014 to 2019, SK3 2020 on |
| Forte | YD 2014 to 2018, BD 2019 on |
| Telluride | ON, first generation from 2020 |
| Sedona and Carnival | YP Sedona 2015 to 2021, KA4 Carnival 2022 on |
Kia Engine Codes and Known Issues
Kia shares its engines with Hyundai, and a few have well known histories. Character 8 of the VIN tells you which one is under the hood.
| Engine | Found in | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4 GDI and 2.0 turbo, Theta II | Optima, Sorento and Sportage, roughly 2011 to 2019 | Engine bearing failures led to recalls, a knock sensor software update and extended warranties. Ask for proof the work was done. |
| 1.6 GDI, Gamma | Soul around 2012 to 2016 | Recalled for piston ring damage that could lead to engine failure or fire. Check the recall is closed. |
| 3.8 V6, Lambda | Telluride, Sorento | Generally strong. Telluride owners should check the tow hitch harness recall on trucks with the factory hitch. |
| Turn key ignition models | Many 2011 to 2021 Kias without push button start | Vulnerable to theft. Ask if Kia's anti theft software update is installed. |
How to Run a Kia VIN Check for Recalls
Our decoder shows recall records for the model and year. To see what's open on one car, use the full VIN.
In the US
Enter the VIN on Kia's owner site or NHTSA's recall lookup. Any Kia dealer fixes open recalls free.
In Canada
Use Kia Canada's recall lookup or Transport Canada's database.
Imported Kias
A Kia built for another market may not show in US lookups. A Kia dealer can check the VIN against global records.
Does a Hyundai Kia VIN Decoder Work on Both?
Yes. Hyundai owns a large stake in Kia, the two brands share engines and platforms, and they code their VINs the same way. The Telluride and Hyundai Palisade, the Sorento and Santa Fe, and the Sportage and Tucson are close relatives. Our decoder reads both, and our Hyundai VIN decoder covers the Hyundai side in detail.
Kia Code List
Every code our Kia decoder recognizes, grouped by what it covers.
Kia engine codes
- G4FA 1.4 Gamma four
- G4FC 1.6 Gamma four, MPI
- G4FD 1.6 Gamma GDI four
- G4FG 1.6 Gamma MPI four
- G4FJ 1.6 Gamma turbo GDI four
- G4NA 2.0 Nu MPI four
- G4NB 1.8 Nu four
- G4NC 2.0 Nu GDI four
- G4KD 2.0 Theta II MPI four
- G4KE 2.4 Theta II MPI four
- G4KH 2.0 Theta II turbo GDI four
- G4KJ 2.4 Theta II GDI four
- G4KN 2.5 Smartstream four
- G4KR 2.5 Smartstream turbo four
- G6BA 2.7 Delta V6
- G6DB 3.3 Lambda V6
- G6DC 3.5 Lambda II V6
- G6DH 3.3 Lambda II twin turbo V6
- D4FB 1.6 U2 CRDi diesel four
- D4FE 1.6 U2 CRDi diesel four, later version
- D4HA 2.0 R CRDi diesel four
- D4HB 2.2 R CRDi diesel four
Kia generation codes
- TF Optima, 2011 to 2015
- JF Optima, 2016 to 2020
- DL3 K5, 2021 on
- XM Sorento, 2011 to 2015
- UM Sorento, 2016 to 2020
- MQ4 Sorento, 2021 on
- SL Sportage, 2011 to 2016
- QL Sportage, 2017 to 2022
- NQ5 Sportage, 2023 on
- AM Soul, 2010 to 2013
- PS Soul, 2014 to 2019
- SK3 Soul, 2020 on
- YD Forte, 2014 to 2018
- BD Forte, 2019 on
- ON Telluride, first generation
- YP Sedona, 2015 to 2021
- KA4 Carnival, 2022 on
- CK Stinger
- CV EV6
- MV EV9
- DE Niro, first generation
- SG2 Niro, second generation
- SP2 Seltos
- JD Ceed, 2012 to 2018
- CD Ceed, 2018 on
Kia Drive Wise abbreviations
- FCA Forward Collision Avoidance Assist
- LKA Lane Keeping Assist
- LFA Lane Following Assist
- BCW Blind Spot Collision Warning
- BCA Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist
- RCCA Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist
- SCC Smart Cruise Control
- NSCC Navigation based Smart Cruise Control
- HDA Highway Driving Assist
- HDA2 Highway Driving Assist 2
- SVM Surround View Monitor
- RSPA Remote Smart Parking Assist
- PCA Parking Collision Avoidance Assist
- DAW Driver Attention Warning
- SEW Safe Exit Warning
- ISLA Intelligent Speed Limit Assist
- HBA High Beam Assist
- ESC Electronic Stability Control
- VSM Vehicle Stability Management
- EPB Electronic Parking Brake
- CVVD Continuously Variable Valve Duration
Kia paint codes
- SWP Snow White Pearl
- GWP Glacial White Pearl
- EB Ebony Black
- ABP Aurora Black Pearl
- 4SS Silky Silver
- KCS Sparkling Silver
- IM Titanium Silver
- C7S Wolf Gray
- KDG Gravity Gray
- ABT Platinum Graphite
- GMS Dark Moss
- DU2 Sapphire Blue
- M5U Horizon Blue
- B3U Smokey Blue
- TR3 Remington Red
- M2R Sangria
Kia Features, Trims and Equipment Terms
The names you'll see on Kia window stickers and listings, from X-Pro and SX Prestige to Kia Connect and Highway Driving Assist. They're names rather than codes, so the decoder above won't read them, but they're all here to look up.
Powertrains and engine families
- Smartstream G1.5 T-GDI 1.5 turbo petrol
- Smartstream G1.6 T-GDI 1.6 turbo petrol
- Smartstream G2.5 T-GDI 2.5 turbo petrol
- Smartstream D1.6 CRDi 1.6 diesel
- Smartstream D2.2 CRDi 2.2 diesel
- Gamma Small four cylinder family, 1.4 and 1.6
- Nu Four cylinder family, 1.8 and 2.0
- Theta II Four cylinder family, 2.0 and 2.4
- Lambda V6 family, 3.3 to 3.8
- HEV Full hybrid
- PHEV Plug in hybrid
- MHEV 48V 48 volt mild hybrid
- e-GMP Electric Global Modular Platform, used by EV6 and EV9
- 800V charging Ultra fast charging architecture on e-GMP models
- Vehicle to Load (V2L) Powers outside devices from the EV battery
Transmissions and drivetrain
- 6MT 6 speed manual
- iMT Intelligent Manual Transmission with clutch by wire
- 6AT 6 speed automatic
- 8AT 8 speed automatic
- 7DCT 7 speed dual clutch
- 8DCT 8 speed wet dual clutch
- IVT Intelligent Variable Transmission, Kia's CVT
- e-CVT Hybrid transmission
- AWD On demand all wheel drive
- FWD Front wheel drive
- RWD Rear wheel drive, Stinger and EV6
- Dual Motor AWD Front and rear electric motors
- Electronic LSD Limited slip rear differential on performance models
- Torque vectoring by braking Uses the brakes to help the car turn
- Drive Mode Select Eco, Normal, Sport and Smart modes
- Terrain modes Snow, Mud and Sand settings on AWD SUVs
Interior and comfort
- Black Standard black cloth or leather interior
- Gray Gray fabric or leather trim
- Ivory Light ivory leather specification
- Moss Moss green accent interior
- Terracotta Terracotta leather interior
- Nappa Leather Premium Nappa leather upholstery
- Leather Appointed Seats Leather seat surface trim
- Suede like Microfiber Suede microfiber upholstery
- Recycled PET Fabric Eco material fabric upholstery
- Heated Front Seats Front seat heating elements
- Heated Rear Seats Rear passenger seat heating
- Ventilated Front Seats Cooled and ventilated seat system
- Relaxation Seats Power reclining lounge seats
- Heated Steering Wheel Heated leather steering wheel
- Power Driver Seat Electrically adjustable driver seat
- Memory Driver Seat Driver seat position memory
- Panoramic Sunroof Fixed panoramic glass roof
- Dual Panoramic Sunroof Two panel panoramic glass roof
- Star Map Roof Illuminated ceiling liner
Technology and audio
- Bose Premium Audio Bose 12 speaker sound system
- Meridian Audio Meridian premium audio system
- Harman Kardon Audio Harman Kardon audio package
- JBL Audio JBL premium speaker system
- Ambient Lighting Multi colour interior ambient lighting
- 3 Zone Climate Three zone automatic climate control
- Kia Connect Connected services and remote app platform
- 8 Inch Touchscreen Standard mid size infotainment display
- 10.25 Inch Touchscreen Large infotainment touchscreen
- 12.3 Inch Touchscreen Large curved touchscreen display
- Dual 12.3 Inch Screens Twin curved display setup
- Digital Instrument Cluster Fully digital driver display
- Head Up Display Windshield projection HUD
- Augmented Reality HUD AR navigation head up display
- Apple CarPlay Wireless Apple smartphone integration
- Android Auto Wireless Android integration
- OTA Updates Over the air software update capability
- WiFi Hotspot In vehicle LTE connectivity
- Bluetooth Multi Connection Dual Bluetooth device pairing
- USB C Charging Ports USB C fast charge ports
- Wireless Charging Pad Qi wireless device charging
- Remote Smart Parking Remote controlled parking assist
- Vehicle to Load V2L External power outlet from EV battery
- 800V Ultra Fast Charging 800V charging architecture
- Navigation Based Smart Cruise Map data adaptive cruise control
- ccNC Connected Car Navigation Cockpit, Kia's newer infotainment
- UVO Kia's earlier connected services, later renamed
Safety features by name
- Forward Collision Avoidance Assist FCA Autonomous emergency braking
- Lane Keeping Assist LKA Lane departure steering correction
- Lane Following Assist LFA Centering assist in lane
- Lane Change Assist LCA Blind spot lane change warning
- Blind Spot Collision Warning BCW Blind spot monitoring
- Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist BCA Blind spot evasive steering
- Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance RCCA Rear cross traffic braking
- Smart Cruise Control SCC Radar adaptive cruise control
- Highway Driving Assist HDA Combined lane and cruise assist
- Highway Driving Assist 2 HDA 2 Hands on highway driving assist
- Remote Smart Parking Assist RSPA App controlled parking system
- Surround View Monitor SVM 360 degree parking camera
- Parking Collision Avoidance Assist PCA Auto brake in parking
- Driver Attention Warning DAW Fatigue and distraction monitoring
- Safe Exit Warning SEW Door exit traffic alert
- Rear Seat Alert Rear occupant reminder system
- Traffic Sign Recognition TSR Speed sign detection system
- High Beam Assist HBA Automatic high beam control
- Electronic Stability Control ESC Dynamic stability system
- Vehicle Stability Management VSM Integrated stability system
- Front and Rear Parking Sensors Ultrasonic proximity sensors
Suspension, steering and brakes
- MacPherson Strut Front Standard front suspension layout
- Multi Link Rear Independent multi link rear suspension
- Torsion Beam Rear Torsion beam axle
- Electronic Dampers Electronically controlled shock absorbers
- Adaptive Suspension Variable damping suspension system
- Air Suspension Electronically adjustable air springs
- Active Roll Stabilisation Electronic anti roll system
- Variable Gear Ratio Steering Variable ratio electric steering
- Electronic Power Steering EPS Standard electric power steering
- Brembo Front Brakes Performance Brembo front calipers
- Electronic Parking Brake EPB Electric parking brake system
- Auto Hold Automatic brake hold on stop
- Continuous Variable Valve Duration CVVD Kia valve timing technology
- e Handling Torque vectoring by electric motors
- GT Suspension Tuning Sport tuned suspension calibration
Trims and editions
- LX Entry level base trim
- S Mid entry trim level
- EX Mid range comfort and technology trim
- EX Premium Enhanced EX specification
- GT Line Sport appearance and feature trim
- GT Line S Enhanced GT Line specification
- SX Upper mid luxury trim level
- SX Prestige Near flagship luxury trim
- X Line Rugged appearance lifestyle trim
- X Pro Off road oriented trim
- X Pro Prestige Premium off road flagship trim
- HEV Dedicated hybrid variant designation
- PHEV Plug in hybrid variant designation
- GT Performance trim
- GT2 Top performance trim specification
- GT Line+ Enhanced GT Line sport trim
- Sportline Sport appearance package
- First Edition Launch special edition trim
- Launch Edition Limited introductory edition
- Special Edition Limited production special edition
- Nightfall Edition Black wheels and exterior trim
- SXL Top Optima trim, 2016 to 2020
Exterior and appearance
- Two Tone Roof Contrasting colour roof option
- Black Roof Pack Gloss black two tone roof
- Panoramic Roof Fixed full length panoramic glass
- Electric Sunroof Standard opening glass sunroof
- Flush Door Handles Retractable flush exterior handles
- LED Headlamps Factory LED headlight cluster
- LED Daytime Running Lights Signature LED DRL lighting
- Sequential Turn Signals Sweeping indicator animation
- Digital Pattern Lighting Pixel pattern LED front and rear lights
- Clamshell Hood Full length bonnet design
- Skid Plates Front and rear underbody protection
- Roof Rails Integrated roof rail system
- Tow Package Factory trailer tow preparation
- 18 Inch Alloys Standard alloy wheel size
- 19 Inch Alloys Sport alloy wheel upgrade
- 20 Inch Alloys Flagship large alloy wheel
- Dark Chrome Trim Dark chrome exterior detailing
- Gloss Black Trim Gloss black exterior accents
- Matte Exterior Package Matte paint and trim option
- Sports Exhaust Tuned dual exhaust system
Kia color names
- Moonscape
- Gravity Gray
- Runway Red
- Currant Red
- Clear White
- Snow White Pearl
- Glacial White Pearl
- Wolf Gray
- Interstellar Gray
- Ivory Silver
- Pacific Blue
- Midnight Blue
- Steel Gray
- Pebble Gray
Platforms and design
- K1 Hyundai Kia small car platform
- K2 Small car platform
- K3 Compact car platform
- N3 Midsize platform used by Sorento and others
- Tiger Nose grille Kia's signature grille shape
- Opposites United Kia's current design philosophy
- HabaNiro Kia EV concept car
Kia VIN Decoder FAQs
Is this Kia VIN decoder free?
Yes. Decoding the model, engine, year, plant and recall records costs nothing. The full report is optional.
Can I get a Kia build sheet by VIN?
The closest thing is the original window sticker, which lists the trim and every package. Ask a Kia dealer to print it from the VIN.
How do I check my Kia's manufacturing date?
Look at the label in the driver door opening. It shows the month and year the car was built. The VIN only gives the model year.
How do I find my Kia's engine size by VIN?
Character 8 is the engine code. On a 2022 Telluride, C is the 3.8 V6. Paste any Kia VIN into the decoder and it shows the engine size.
How do I look up a Kia Optima VIN number?
US built Optimas start 5XX and Korean built ones KNA. Character 10 gives the year, so a 2015 Optima shows F. Paste it into the decoder for the trim and engine.
How do I do a Kia Telluride VIN lookup?
Telluride VINs start 5XYP. The next character is the series and the one after that shows front or all wheel drive. The example on this page is a Telluride, read character by character.
Is there a Kia VIN converter?
A VIN can't be converted into anything else, but our decoder turns it into plain English: model, trim series, engine, year and plant. On older imports, the chassis number is usually the same as the VIN.
How do I find my Kia paint code?
On the label in the driver door opening, as a two or three character code like SWP for Snow White Pearl.
Dale Ogden
Dale has spent more than 20 years in vehicle valuations, forecasting and asset management. He was a Forecast Manager at CAP HPI, the UK's leading vehicle valuation authority and a counterpart to Kelley Blue Book.
He helped pioneer early electric vehicle depreciation models adopted by major manufacturers, and his residual value forecasts cover more than 10,000 vehicles. Today his data led insights help buyers, enthusiasts and automotive professionals around the world.
What's Your Kia Worth With Its Options?
An SX Prestige Telluride and a base LX can share a model name and a whole lot else. They don't share a value. See what the options on your Kia are worth today.
Value my KiaFree option values, in seconds.
Unlock accurate valuations for your car’s features in seconds – find out what your options are worth today and in the future.
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