Free Genesis VIN Decoder
Genesis VIN Decoder & Lookup Tool
A Genesis VIN decoder translates the 17-character VIN into the vehicle's factory identity — year, model, trim, engine, transmission, drivetrain, body style, and assembly plant — using the official NHTSA vPIC database. CarWhere's Genesis decoder is free with no account, and pairs every decode with verified buyer transaction prices for the same Genesis, so you see both what the vehicle is and what people actually paid for it.
Reviewed by the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Last updated 2026-06-11
Try a sample: KMTG34LE5LU123456Sample 2020 Genesis G70 built in Ulsan, South Korea.
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About Genesis
Genesis is the luxury division of Hyundai Motor Group, established as a standalone brand in 2015. All Genesis vehicles are currently built in Ulsan, South Korea — including the U.S.-bound Electrified GV70, despite the SUV being assembled in Montgomery, Alabama for some markets (its WMI shifts to 5NP for U.S.-built Electrified GV70 units). Genesis VIN structure follows Hyundai conventions: position 4 encodes vehicle line, position 8 encodes engine, position 10 encodes model year.
What a Genesis VIN Tells You
Every Genesis VIN encodes 13 distinct vehicle attributes. Our decoder surfaces the ones that matter most for identifying, valuing, and researching a specific Genesis:
Year
Model year — encoded in character 10 of the VIN
Model & Trim
Specific Genesis model line and trim level
Engine
Displacement, cylinder count, and fuel type
Transmission
Automatic, manual, CVT, or DCT — and gear count
Drive Type
AWD, FWD, RWD, or 4WD configuration
Body Style
Sedan, SUV, truck, hatchback, coupe, convertible
Plant
Where this specific Genesis was assembled
Country
Country of origin — derived from the WMI prefix
How a Genesis VIN Is Structured
All modern Genesis VINs follow ISO 3779 — the international 17-character VIN standard adopted in 1981. The 17 characters break into four fixed sections:
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)
For Genesis, the WMI is typically KMG, KMU, KMT. Genesis was spun off as a standalone luxury brand in 2015 and assigned its own WMI series. KMG, KMT, and KMU all identify Genesis vehicles built at Hyundai's Ulsan, Korea facility.
Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
Encodes the Genesis model line, body style, restraint system, and engine. Position 8 specifically identifies the engine — the most ambiguous character because the same digit can mean different engines on different Genesis models.
Check Digit
A mathematical checksum derived from the other 16 characters. If a Genesis VIN doesn't pass the check-digit test, it's either a typo or a forgery.
Model Year
A single character encoding the model year. Examples on a Genesis: L = 2020, M = 2021, N = 2022, P = 2023, R = 2024, S = 2025, T = 2026.
Plant Code
Identifies the specific Genesis assembly plant. Genesis operates plants in Ulsan, South Korea.
Sequential Production Number
The unique six-character serial number for that specific Genesis unit. Two Genesis vehicles with the same year, model, trim, and plant will differ only in this final segment.
Popular Genesis Models
The most common Genesis models by U.S. sales volume. Click any model to see verified buyer transactions and current pricing on CarWhere.
Where Genesis Vehicles Are Built
The 11th character of a Genesis VIN identifies the assembly plant. Genesis operates the following facilities that supply U.S.-market vehicles:
- •Ulsan, South Korea
How to Decode a Genesis VIN
Find the VIN on your Genesis
Locate the 17-character VIN on the lower driver's-side corner of the windshield, the driver's door jamb, your registration, or your insurance card.
Enter the VIN
Type or paste the 17-character VIN into the decoder above. We strip spaces and dashes automatically and convert lowercase letters to uppercase. The tool rejects VINs containing I, O, or Q.
Decode instantly
Click "Decode VIN." Our server queries the NHTSA vPIC database and returns the full vehicle specification in under a second.
See what buyers paid for the same Genesis
If we have verified buyer transactions for the decoded year/make/model, we surface the average selling price, average discount off MSRP, and total verified deal count — and link you to the full Genesis model page.
Genesis VIN year chart (10th character)
The 10th character of every Genesis VIN encodes the model year under the federal VIN standard. Letters I, O, Q, U, and Z are never used; the cycle repeats every 30 years (so "A" means 2010 on modern vehicles, 1980 on classics).
Sources and limitations
CarWhere's Genesis VIN decoder uses NHTSA vPIC, the U.S. government VIN-decoding platform built from manufacturer-submitted vehicle data (model years 1981 and newer). Recall status for a specific VIN can be confirmed at the official NHTSA recall lookup. Decode results may be limited for non-US-market vehicles, gray-market imports, or VIN patterns with incomplete manufacturer submissions. A VIN decode does not show accident, title, lien, mileage, or theft history.
Genesis VIN Decoder FAQ
What does a Genesis VIN decoder tell you?
A Genesis VIN decoder reveals the model year, model name, trim level, engine type and displacement, transmission, drive type, body style, and assembly plant of any Genesis vehicle. It uses NHTSA vPIC, the public VIN-decoding platform built from manufacturer-submitted data (model year 1981-forward); decode fields vary by model year and manufacturer submission. It does not show accident or ownership history.
What does a Genesis VIN start with?
Genesis VINs typically start with KMG, KMU, KMT. Genesis was spun off as a standalone luxury brand in 2015 and assigned its own WMI series. KMG, KMT, and KMU all identify Genesis vehicles built at Hyundai's Ulsan, Korea facility.
Where is the VIN on a Genesis?
The easiest place to find the VIN on a Genesis is the lower corner of the windshield on the driver's side dashboard, visible from outside the vehicle. It's also printed on the driver's door jamb sticker, the vehicle title, the registration card, and the insurance card. On older models the VIN may be stamped on the engine block or firewall.
How many characters is a Genesis VIN?
Every Genesis VIN is exactly 17 characters — a mix of letters and numbers. Like all modern VINs, Genesis VINs never contain the letters I, O, or Q to avoid confusion with the digits 1, 0, and 9. A Genesis VIN with fewer or more than 17 characters is either a partial reference or an error.
Is the Genesis VIN decoder really free?
Yes. CarWhere's Genesis VIN decoder is completely free with no signup, account, or credit card required. We use the NHTSA vPIC API — the official U.S. government VIN database that every U.S.-market Genesis is filed against. We additionally cross-reference the decoded year, make, and model against verified buyer transactions in our deal database.
Where are Genesis vehicles built?
Genesis operates assembly plants in Ulsan, South Korea. The 11th character of a Genesis VIN identifies the specific plant of manufacture, while the first three characters (the World Manufacturer Identifier) identify the country.
Can I check Genesis recalls by VIN?
Yes — once you decode a Genesis VIN here, you can cross-reference open recalls at the official NHTSA recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Genesis also operates an owner portal where logged-in owners can view recall status and schedule free repairs at any authorized Genesis dealer.
Does a Genesis VIN reveal accident history?
No. A VIN decode reveals factory specifications only — make, model, trim, engine, plant. To check accident history, salvage titles, or odometer rollback on a Genesis, you need a vehicle history report from Carfax or AutoCheck, both of which use the VIN as the lookup key but pull from insurance and DMV records.
VIN Decoders for Other Makes
Decoded a Genesis VIN? Get the full picture for $9.99.
The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers any Genesis VIN: full federal decode, open recalls, owner complaints, and service-bulletin history. One-time, no subscription.