Genesis VIN decoder reads the 17 characters on a Genesis and returns the build details reported to NHTSA: model year, model, trim, engine, body style and plant. Genesis belongs to Hyundai, so the number often opens with a KMH prefix shared with Hyundai models. The tenth character gives the model year and the eleventh gives the plant. Position nine is a check digit, and the last six characters give the build sequence. The decoder resolves the specific Genesis model from the rest of the string.
Genesis VIN decoder reports drive type, fuel type, transmission and open safety recalls tied to that vehicle. It separates a G70 sedan from a GV70 or GV80 SUV and confirms whether the vehicle carries the 2.5-liter turbo or the 3.5-liter twin-turbo engine. Most Genesis models come from Ulsan in South Korea, and the Electrified GV70 comes from Montgomery, Alabama. Position nine is a check digit, and the last six characters give the build order. The lookup is free and needs no account.
Genesis VIN Decoder: Confirm the Luxury Sedan or SUV You Are Buying
Genesis VIN decoder results show the model, engine, drive type, plant, and model year for a G70, G80, G90, GV60, GV70, or GV80. The brand arrived in the US for the 2017 model year, so most Genesis VINs follow the modern 17-character federal layout. NHTSA’s free vPIC service reads those characters and returns the factory record. Genesis VIN decoder tools are useful for a brand with overlapping names and shared platforms. A G80 and a GV80 look different, yet both may share an engine family.
What a Genesis VIN Tells You
A Genesis VIN is a 17-character code with three blocks. The first three characters identify the manufacturer and the country of assembly. Characters four through eight describe the vehicle. Characters ninth through seventeenth hold the check digit, the model year, the plant, and the serial number. A vPIC decode of a Genesis typically returns the make, model, model year, body class, engine displacement, engine cylinders, fuel type, transmission, drive type, plant city, plant country, and a set of safety equipment fields. For electric models such as the GV60 and the Electrified GV70.
Genesis WMI Codes
Genesis vehicles use four World Manufacturer Identifiers in the NHTSA registry. Two are reserved for the brand’s Korean-built cars and SUVs. One covers US assembly in Alabama. One covers the earlier Hyundai-badged Genesis. Confirm the current rule with the official state page before you file. Confirm the current rule with the official state page before you file. The details below apply to vehicles titled in the state. Check the source again before a purchase or a trip to the office. Keep the title, the registration and the photo ID together for the visit.
| WMI | Manufacturer record | Country | Vehicle type | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KMT | Hyundai Motor Co. | South Korea | Passenger car | G70, G80, and G90 sedans built in Korea |
| KMU | Hyundai Motor Co. | South Korea | Multipurpose passenger vehicle | GV60, GV70, and GV80 SUVs built in Korea |
| 5NM | Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama | United States | Multipurpose passenger vehicle | Electrified GV70 and other Alabama-built models |
| KMH | Hyundai Motor Co. | South Korea | Passenger car | Hyundai Genesis sedan and coupe before the brand split |
The vPIC registry lists KMT and KMU under Hyundai Motor Co. since Genesis is a Hyundai brand. The WMI still tells you the vehicle type and the build country. Use the model field from the decode to confirm the exact nameplate.
The 5NM code is a US code. A Genesis with that prefix came from the Alabama plant. That matters for buyers who want a US-built car or who are checking a seller’s claim about the assembly site.
Genesis VIN Position Breakdown
Each character has a defined role under 49 CFR Part 565. The table below applies to Genesis vehicles built for the US market. Confirm the current rule with the official state page before you file. Confirm the current rule with the official state page before you file. The details below apply to vehicles titled in the state. Check the source again before a purchase or a trip to the office. Keep the title, the registration and the photo ID together for the visit. A second check at the counter saves a return.
| Position | Meaning | Genesis notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Country or region | K points to South Korea, 5 to the United States |
| 2 | Manufacturer within the region | M points to Hyundai Motor |
| 3 | Division or vehicle type | T for cars, U for SUVs, H for earlier Hyundai cars |
| 4 | Model or platform | Assigned by Genesis |
| 5 | Model, series, or body style | Assigned by Genesis |
| 6 | Engine or drivetrain family | Varies by model year |
| 7 | Restraint system or body type | Varies by model year |
| 8 | Engine, transmission, or trim | Varies by model year |
| 9 | Check digit | Calculated from the other 16 characters |
| 10 | Model year | Letter or digit from the federal chart |
| 11 | Assembly plant | Ulsan, Alabama, or another site |
| 12 | Production sequence | Part of the six-digit serial |
| 13 | Production sequence | Part of the six-digit serial |
| 14 | Production sequence | Part of the six-digit serial |
| 15 | Production sequence | Part of the six-digit serial |
| 16 | Production sequence | Part of the six-digit serial |
| 17 | Production sequence | Last digit of the serial |
Characters four through eight carry the model-specific detail. Genesis uses them for the platform, the engine, the body, and the restraint package. A G70 and a G80 do not share a pattern, and the codes changed when the brand moved to new generations.
The ninth character is the check digit. The tenth character is the model year. The eleventh character is the plant. The last six digits are the serial number. Two Genesis vehicles can look identical and still carry different serials, which is the point of the code.
Genesis Model Year Codes
Read The tenth character with this chart. The cycle repeats every 30 years, so pair the code with the generation and the door label build date. Confirm the current rule with the official state page before you file. Confirm the current rule with the official state page before you file. The details below apply to vehicles titled in the state. Check the source again before a purchase or a trip to the office. Keep the title, the registration and the photo ID together for the visit.
| Year | Code | Year | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | A | 2004 | 4 |
| 1981 | B | 2005 | 5 |
| 1982 | C | 2006 | 6 |
| 1983 | D | 2007 | 7 |
| 1984 | E | 2008 | 8 |
| 1985 | F | 2009 | 9 |
| 1986 | G | 2010 | A |
| 1987 | H | 2011 | B |
| 1988 | J | 2012 | C |
| 1989 | K | 2013 | D |
| 1990 | L | 2014 | E |
| 1991 | M | 2015 | F |
| 1992 | N | 2016 | G |
| 1993 | P | 2017 | H |
| 1994 | R | 2018 | J |
| 1995 | S | 2019 | K |
| 1996 | T | 2020 | L |
| 1997 | V | 2021 | M |
| 1998 | W | 2022 | N |
| 1999 | X | 2023 | P |
| 2000 | Y | 2024 | R |
| 2001 | 1 | 2025 | S |
| 2002 | 2 | 2026 | T |
| 2003 | 3 |
Genesis launched with the 2017 G90, so the useful codes for the brand start at H. A 2020 model uses L. A 2025 model uses S. The letter I, O, Q, U, and Z never appear as year codes.
Genesis Model Generations and VIN Changes
The brand has gone through three clear phases. The first phase covers the Hyundai Genesis sedan and coupe, which sold from the 2009 through 2016 model years. Those cars carry a KMH prefix and a Hyundai make field. The second phase starts with the 2017 G90 and the launch of Genesis as a separate marque. The third phase adds electric models on a dedicated platform. Each phase changed the model codes in Characters four through eight. A 2015 Hyundai Genesis sedan and a 2017 Genesis G80 share a family resemblance, but their.
Genesis VIN Checks Before You Buy
A decode is one stage in a used-car review. Use this short sequence to cover the basics. Confirm the current rule with the official state page before you file. Confirm the current rule with the official state page before you file. The details below apply to vehicles titled in the state. Check the source again before a purchase or a trip to the office. Keep the title, the registration and the photo ID together for the visit. A second check at the counter saves a return trip when a form or a fee has changed.
- Match the VIN to the car. Compare the windshield plate, the door jamb label, and the title. All three should show the same 17 characters.
- Decode the VIN. Confirm the model, year, engine, and drive type against the listing.
- Run the recall check. Look for open campaigns and ask for the repair paperwork.
- Order a history report. Look for title brands, mileage entries, and reported collisions.
- Book an inspection. A mechanic can check the engine number, the frame, and the electronic systems that a decode cannot see.
This sequence takes an afternoon and can save a large repair bill. A clean decode is a good sign. It is not a warranty.
How to Decode a Genesis VIN Stage by stage
The stages below show how to run the lookup and read the result. Confirm the current rule with the official state page before you file. Confirm the current rule with the official state page before you file. The details below apply to vehicles titled in the state. Check the source again before a purchase or a trip to the office. Keep the title, the registration and the photo ID together for the visit. A second check at the counter saves a return trip when a form or a fee has changed.
- Copy all 17 characters. Use the windshield plate or the driver door label. Remove spaces and dashes.
- Read the first three characters. KMT points to a Korean-built Genesis car. KMU points to a Korean-built SUV. 5NM points to Alabama.
- Read The tenth character. Match the code to the year chart. Confirm the result with the build date on the door label.
- Test The ninth character. The check digit math catches typos. A failed check means you should re-read the plate.
- Enter the VIN in vPIC. The free response lists the model, engine, body, plant, and safety fields.
- Compare the output with the car. Check the engine, the badge, the drive layout, and the interior trim.
- Run the recall check. Use the same VIN on the NHTSA recall page to see open campaigns.
A manual read plus a database decode gives you two independent checks. When they disagree, the plate or the listing is the likely problem. Re-read the code before you blame the database.
How the Genesis Check Digit Works
The ninth character is a modular check on the other 16 characters. Letters convert to numbers: A is 1, B is 2, C is 3, D is 4, E is 5, F is 6, G is 7, H is 8, J is 1, K is 2, L is 3, M is 4, N is 5, P is 7, R is 9, S is 2, T is 3, U is 4, V is 5, W is 6, X is 7, Y is 8, and Z is 9.
Genesis VIN and Engine Number
The VIN describes the vehicle. The engine number describes the engine. They are stamped in different places and can diverge after a replacement. A used Genesis with a short block or a long block swap may carry an engine number that no longer matches the factory record. Check both numbers during a pre-purchase inspection. The VIN decode gives you the original engine family and displacement. The engine stamp tells you what sits in the bay now. A mismatch is a question, not a crime. Ask for the repair invoice and the shop’s warranty.
Popular Genesis Models
The Genesis lineup is small and focused. These are the models most likely to appear in a VIN search. Confirm the current rule with the official state page before you file. Confirm the current rule with the official state page before you file. The details below apply to vehicles titled in the state. Check the source again before a purchase or a trip to the office. Keep the title, the registration and the photo ID together for the visit. A second check at the counter saves a return trip when a form.
- G70. The compact sport sedan arrived for 2019. VINs decode the 2.0-liter turbo four, the 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6, rear-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive. The manual transmission cars are rare and worth confirming through the build record.
- G80. The midsize sedan replaced the Hyundai Genesis sedan. Decodes show the 2.5-liter turbo, the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6, and the electric G80 variant in later years.
- G90. The full-size flagship launched the brand for 2017. VINs separate the early 3.3-liter V6 and 5.0-liter V8 from the later 3.5-liter turbo and mild-hybrid cars.
- GV60. The compact electric SUV rides on a dedicated electric platform. The decode reports the electric drive, the battery, and the plant.
- GV70. The compact luxury SUV offers a 2.5-liter turbo, a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6, and an Electrified GV70 with two motors. The 5NM prefix points to the Alabama-built electric version.
- GV80. The midsize SUV arrived for 2021. VINs decode the 2.5-liter turbo, the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6, rear-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive.
- GV60 Magma. The high-output electric variant sits at the top of the GV60 range. A decode confirms the performance drive units and the model year.
Genesis reuses platform names across models, so a decode is more reliable than a badge. A seller may call a car a 3.5T when the VIN shows the 2.5T. That difference changes the value and the insurance cost.
Where to Find the VIN on a Genesis
The primary VIN plate sits at the lower left corner of the windshield. Stand outside the car and look through the glass. The characters are laser-etched and easy to read in daylight. The driver door jamb carries a certification label with the VIN, the build date, and the tire information. Open the door and look at the pillar. The label also lists the gross vehicle weight rating. Under the hood, the VIN may appear on the shock tower or the radiator support. A stamped chassis number can sit near the engine.
Free Genesis VIN Decode
NHTSA runs the vPIC decoder as a free public service. Enter the 17-character VIN on the NHTSA VIN decoder page or query the API. No account and no payment are needed. The response lists the make, model, year, body, engine, fuel, transmission, drive type, and plant. It may also list airbags, seat belt features, and electronic stability control. Those fields come from the manufacturer filing. A Genesis built before the brand split may return Hyundai as the make. That is expected. The model field may say Genesis, and the year and engine data still apply.
Genesis Recalls
Recalls are tied to the VIN and the build window. A campaign may cover a few months of production within one model year. The NHTSA recall page at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open campaigns for a specific VIN and describes the remedy. Genesis has issued recalls for seat belt pretensioners, fuel pump assemblies, brake system components, and rearview camera software. Electric models have had campaigns for drive control software and charging components. The exact campaign depends on the build date and the supplier batch. A recall repair is free at an authorized Genesis dealer.
What a Genesis VIN Does Not Show
A VIN does not show collisions, paint work, flood damage, or frame repairs. It does not show service records, oil changes, or tire replacements. It does not show liens, unpaid loans, or a salvage title brand. Those facts live in state title systems, insurer databases, and shop records. A history report may surface a brand or a total loss entry when a data provider supplies it. The VIN itself does not contain the answer. Mileage is a separate record. The odometer has its own trail through inspections and title transfers.
Genesis VIN Questions
These are the questions drivers ask most about Genesis VIN Decoder, with answers drawn from the official sources used on this page. Confirm the current rule with the official state page before you file. Confirm the current rule with the official state page before you file. The details below apply to vehicles titled in the state. Check the source again before a purchase or a trip to the office. Keep the title, the registration and the photo ID together for the visit. A second check at the counter saves a return trip.
Where Is the VIN on a Genesis?
The primary plate sits at the lower left corner of the windshield, viewed from outside the car. The driver door jamb label carries the VIN, the build date and the tire data. Under the hood, the number may appear on a shock tower or the radiator support. Compare two of those locations with the title. Read them before you trust a listing. Confirm the current rule with the official state page before you file. Confirm the current rule with the official state page before you file.
Why Does My Genesis VIN Say Hyundai?
Genesis is a Hyundai brand, and NHTSA registers KMT and KMU under Hyundai Motor Co. The manufacturer field can read Hyundai. The model field should still name the Genesis nameplate, and for pre-split cars such as the Hyundai Genesis sedan, that result is expected. The year and engine data remain valid. Use the model field as the final brand check. Confirm the current rule with the official state page before you file. Confirm the current rule with the official state page before you file. The details below apply to vehicles titled in the state.
Does a Genesis VIN Show the Trim?
Sometimes. Characters four through eight can carry a trim or engine code, and vPIC may return a series or trim field. A blank trim field means the manufacturer did not file that detail, not that the car is base model. The window sticker and the door jamb label settle the question. Ask a Genesis dealer for a build record when the field is blank. Confirm the current rule with the official state page before you file. Confirm the current rule with the official state page before you file.
Is the Genesis VIN Decode Free?
Yes. Enter the 17 characters and the decoder returns the NHTSA vPIC record at no cost, with no account, email address, payment or paid report. The response lists the make, model, model year, engine, fuel type, plant city and open safety campaigns tied to that build. Trim often stays out of the record, so confirm it with the window sticker and the door jamb label. Confirm the current rule with the official state page before you file. Confirm the current rule with the official state page before you file.
Why Does My VIN Return No Result?
The VIN may be mistyped, may belong to a car built for another market, or may predate the fields in the current federal record. Compare each character with the door label, remove spaces and dashes, and run the decode again. A partial record still returns the model and year when those fields are present. Save a screenshot of the result before you negotiate. Official sources: Confirm the current rule with the official state page before you file. Confirm the current rule with the official state page before you file.
- https://vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/api/
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls