Where is the VIN number in Hyundai Santa Fe (Hyundai Santa Fe I (SM) [2006-2006])?

This guide shows where to find the VIN (chassis number) on the Hyundai Santa Fe I (SM) produced between 2006–2006, including the most trustworthy “permanent” stamped location and the quick-to-check display/sticker locations.

Chassis Number Locations

1) Engine Bay (Firewall / Bulkhead)

• Where to look: Open the hood. Locate the stamped 17-character VIN on the metal firewall (bulkhead/cowl panel) at the back of the engine bay. It’s typically slightly to the passenger side of the center line, high up near the rubber weatherstrip.
• Access: Moderate. The stamp can be covered with road grime/dust, and the rear of the engine bay is dark—use a flashlight and wipe the area with a rag (a soft brush helps).
• Note: Described for LHD vehicles. (On RHD models, the dashboard and door sticker positions swap sides, but the firewall stamp is still at the rear of the engine bay.)
• Tip: If the characters are faint or dirty, scrub lightly and use High Contrast AI Mode—you can scan the stamped VIN directly instead of guessing worn digits.

2) Windshield (Dashboard VIN Plate)

• Where to look: Stand outside on the driver’s side and look through the lower corner of the windshield. The VIN plate is riveted to the dashboard and reads through the glass.
• Access: Easy. Sometimes glare, tint, or a cracked windshield makes it harder to read.
• Note: For RHD markets (UK/AU/etc.), this plate is typically visible from the right-side lower windshield corner.
• Tip: If glare/reflections are washing out the digits, capture the VIN with your phone in one clean shot so you don’t transpose characters like B/8, S/5, or 0/O.

3) Door Jamb (B-Pillar Certification Label)

• Where to look: Open the driver’s door. Look on the driver’s side B-pillar (the vertical post where the door latches) for the black certification sticker (or a metal plate in some regions) showing the VIN plus other build info.
• Access: Easy. Usually clear unless the label is torn, repainted over, or worn from cleaning.
• Note: On RHD vehicles, the label is typically on the right-side B-pillar.
• Tip: If the sticker is scratched or low-contrast, use the VIN scanner to read it accurately without manually typing it.

Common Problems & Troubleshooting

• Firewall stamp is hard to see: The rear of the engine bay is often dark and dirty—use a flashlight and wipe the metal clean before reading/scanning.
• Windshield VIN has glare: Sunlight reflections and glass angle can hide characters—shade the area with your hand and change viewing angle, or scan it.
• Sticker vs. stamp mismatch: The door jamb sticker can be replaced (paint/bodywork, door swap). For verification, the stamped firewall VIN is the key “hard” identifier.

---