Free Hyundai VIN Decoder

Decode any Hyundai VIN in seconds. See the model, engine, hybrid or electric powertrain, assembly plant and model year, plus open recalls from NHTSA, before you buy, sell or service your Hyundai.

  • 100% free
  • Data from NHTSA
  • Instant results

What our free Hyundai VIN decoder shows

One VIN, the key facts about any Hyundai. When you enter a Hyundai VIN, the decoder reads the codes built into those 17 characters and matches them to records from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In a few seconds you see:

  • Model and trim: which Hyundai model it is, and the trim when it is encoded.
  • Model year: taken from the 10th character of the VIN.
  • Engine and powertrain: engine size, fuel type and transmission when available.
  • Body style: sedan, coupe, SUV, minivan, van or pickup.
  • Assembly plant: the factory that built the vehicle.
  • Open safety recalls: any recall on record with NHTSA for that exact VIN.

This helps when you are checking a used Hyundai for sale, ordering the right parts, comparing a listing to the real vehicle or getting an insurance quote.

How to look up a Hyundai VIN

  1. Find the 17-character VIN on the vehicle or its paperwork (see where to find it below).
  2. Type it into the box at the top of this page. Letters are not case-sensitive.
  3. Select Decode VIN.
  4. Compare the results with the seller’s listing: model, year, engine and drivetrain should all match.

A valid VIN never contains the letters I, O or Q, because they look too much like 1 and 0. If the decoder rejects a VIN, check for those letters first.

How to read a Hyundai VIN

Every Hyundai built since 1981 has a 17-character VIN that follows the same international standard. Here is an example:

5NP E34AF 0 L H 123456

CharactersIn this VINWhat it tells you
1–3 · WMI5NPThe manufacturer and country. 5NP is a Hyundai passenger car built in the United States.
4–8 · Vehicle descriptorE34AFModel line, body, engine and restraint systems.
9 · Check digit0A calculated number that confirms the VIN is valid.
10 · Model yearLThe model year: L is 2020.
11 · Plant codeHThe assembly plant.
12–17 · Serial number123456The unique production number of that vehicle.

Hyundai WMI codes

Hyundai builds vehicles in South Korea and in Alabama and Georgia. These are the codes you will see most often:

WMIBuilt inTypical vehicles
KMHSouth KoreaPassenger cars such as Elantra and Ioniq 5
KM8South KoreaSUVs such as Tucson, Kona and Palisade
5NPUnited StatesCars built in Alabama, such as Sonata and Elantra
5NMUnited StatesSUVs built in Alabama, such as Santa Fe and Tucson
5NTUnited StatesSanta Cruz pickup

Source: NHTSA vPIC.

Hyundai model year codes

The 10th character shows the model year. The letters I, O, Q, U, Z and the number 0 are never used for the year.

CodeYearCodeYearCodeYear
G2016K2019P2023
H2017L2020R2024
J2018M2021S2025
N2022T2026

Where to find the VIN on a Hyundai

Where to find the VIN on a vehicle: on the dashboard by the windshield and on the label inside the driver’s door jamb
The VIN is usually on the dashboard (seen through the windshield) and on the label inside the driver’s door.
  • Dashboard: on the lower corner of the dashboard on the driver’s side. Look through the windshield from outside the vehicle.
  • Driver’s door jamb: on the label on the door pillar, visible when the door is open.
  • Documents: the title, registration and insurance card all list the VIN.

Make sure the VIN on the vehicle matches the VIN on the title. If they are different, do not buy until you know why: it can be a sign of a stolen or rebuilt vehicle.

Popular Hyundai models

Pick a model to decode its VIN and see recalls by model year:

  • Hyundai Elantra: the compact sedan, also sold as a hybrid and as the sporty N.
  • Hyundai Sonata: the midsize sedan.
  • Hyundai Tucson: the compact SUV, with gas, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions.
  • Hyundai Santa Fe: the midsize SUV.
  • Hyundai Kona: the subcompact SUV, also sold as an EV.
  • Hyundai Palisade: the three-row SUV.
  • Hyundai Accent: the subcompact car, sold in the US until the 2022 model year.
  • Hyundai Ioniq 5: the electric crossover, now also built in Georgia.

Hyundai recalls and how to check them

NHTSA lists 239 recall campaigns for the Hyundai models on this page. Recalls are issued for specific VINs, so two vehicles of the same model and year can have different results. The repair for a safety recall is free at any Hyundai dealer, even if you are not the first owner. Some 2011–2019 Hyundai models with 2.0L and 2.4L engines were part of large engine recalls and warranty extensions, so it is worth checking these VINs carefully.

To check a Hyundai for recalls, enter its VIN above. If a recall is open, contact a Hyundai dealer to book the repair, and ask the seller of a used vehicle for proof that past recalls were completed.

Free VIN decoder vs full vehicle history report

The decoder tells you what the vehicle is. A history report tells you what happened to it.

InformationFree decoderFull history report
Model, year, engine, plantYesYes
Open safety recallsYesYes
Title brands (salvage, flood, rebuilt)NoYes
Odometer readingsNoYes
Accident and damage recordsNoYes
Sales and ownership historyNoYes

If you are about to buy a used Hyundai, run a full vehicle history check or see a sample report first.

Buying a used Hyundai: what to check

  • The VIN on the dashboard, door jamb and title all match.
  • No open safety recalls, or proof that they were repaired.
  • No salvage, flood or rebuilt title brand.
  • Odometer readings that go up steadily over the years.
  • On 2011–2022 models with a key ignition, ask whether the free anti-theft software update was installed.
  • Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty applies to the first owner. Later owners get a shorter powertrain warranty, so check what is left.
  • A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic.

Hyundai VIN FAQs

How do I decode a Hyundai VIN?

Type the 17-character VIN into the box at the top of this page and select Decode VIN. We read the manufacturer, model, engine and year codes and match them to NHTSA data.

Is the Hyundai VIN decoder free?

Yes. Decoding the specs and checking for open recalls is free and does not require an account. A full vehicle history report is a separate paid option.

Are Hyundai and Kia VINs decoded the same way?

They follow the same international VIN structure and the brands share many parts, but they use different WMI codes. Hyundai uses codes such as KMH and 5NP, while Kia uses KNA and 5XY.

Which character shows the Hyundai model year?

The 10th character. L stands for 2020, P for 2023 and S for 2025.

Does a Hyundai VIN show recalls?

Yes. Safety recalls are issued by VIN, so checking the exact VIN tells you whether a recall applies to that vehicle and whether it is still open.

Can a Hyundai VIN show if it is a hybrid or electric?

Usually, yes. The powertrain is encoded in the vehicle descriptor section, so the decoder can tell a gas Tucson from a Tucson Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid.

VIN decoder for other makes

Choose another brand to decode its VIN and see recalls by model.

Source: NHTSA public data, updated October 8, 2026. HistoryByVIN is not affiliated with Hyundai. Hyundai and the Hyundai logo are trademarks of their owner.