Most Hyundai Genesis VINs open with KMH (South Korea, 2009–2016). Position 11, the plant, shows 2 codes, most often U (99%); a 2016 Genesis carries G in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 11 recall campaigns and 1,154 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a Hyundai Genesis VIN
Here is a real 2016 Hyundai Genesis VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN KMHGN4JE2GU115277 — decoded free on its own report page.
| Position | Section | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | WMI | World Manufacturer Identifier — country, manufacturer and vehicle type. |
| 4–8 | VDS | Vehicle Descriptor Section — body style, engine, restraint system, series. |
| 9 | Check digit | A calculated digit that validates the whole VIN. Wrong digit = wrong VIN. |
| 10 | Model year | One character for the model year. Letters skip I, O, Q, U and Z. |
| 11 | Plant | The assembly plant that built the car. |
| 12–17 | Serial | Sequential production number of this exact vehicle. |
Hyundai Genesis VIN prefixes, and when each one was used
Every Hyundai Genesis we have on record, from 2009 to 2016, opens with the same three characters, KMH:
| VIN starts with | Years seen | Built in | Vehicle type | VINs on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KMH | 2009–2016 | South Korea | Passenger Car |
Position 11 names the plant. On the Hyundai Genesis it is not one number either — assembly moved between 2 of them over the years:
| Plant code | Years active | VINs on record | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| U | 2009–2016 | 1,143 | |
| 0 | 2010–2015 | 3 |
Counted from 1,147 dated Hyundai Genesis VINs attached to NHTSA complaints, each code checked against the NHTSA manufacturer registry.
Model-year codes for the Hyundai Genesis
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Hyundai Genesis has not yet outlived: its 8 years still map one-to-one. All 8 model years of the Hyundai Genesis, 2009 to 2016, with the character each one carries:
| Model year | VIN character (position 10) | Same character as |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | G | — |
| 2015 | F | — |
| 2014 | E | — |
| 2013 | D | — |
| 2012 | C | — |
| 2011 | B | — |
| 2010 | A | — |
| 2009 | 9 | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Hyundai Genesis VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 45 VINs the Hyundai Genesis uses 9 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | G (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 5 — series | N (62%) · C (31%) · E (7%) | 3 distinct |
| 8 — engine | E (64%) · D (18%) · F (11%) · B (4%) · A (2%) | 5 distinct |
What a decoded Hyundai Genesis VIN gets you
Behind a Hyundai Genesis VIN: 1,154 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 11 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 1,154 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 20 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Crash-test ratings | 2 rated model years | NHTSA |
| Model years covered | 8 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Hyundai Genesis
A Hyundai Genesis VIN normally opens with KMH; the full number sits in four places, and all four must match.
| Where | How to see it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Dashboard, driver side | Through the windshield, bottom corner | Easiest to check before you touch anything |
| Driver door jamb | Open the door, sticker on the pillar | Also lists tire pressures and build date |
| Under the hood | Firewall or strut tower plate | Survives a windshield replacement |
| Title and insurance | Paper documents | Must match the car — a mismatch means fraud or a swapped panel |
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Frequently asked questions
Is this Hyundai Genesis VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 11 recall campaigns and 1,154 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Hyundai Genesis.
What year is my Genesis by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 2016 Genesis carries G, a 2015 Genesis carries F, a 2014 Genesis carries E.
Where was my Genesis built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 1,153 dated Hyundai Genesis VINs it reads U 99%, 0 0%.
What does position 4 mean on a Hyundai Genesis VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 45 Hyundai Genesis VINs here, G is the most common character in position 4, on 100% of them.
What if the VIN on the dashboard doesn't match the door jamb?
On a Hyundai Genesis check the prefix first: most genuine ones open with KMH. A plate that starts with anything else, or disagrees with the other copies of the number, needs documents checked before any money changes hands.
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