Where is the VIN number in KIA Sportage IV (2016-2021)?

This guide shows where to find the VIN (chassis number) on the KIA Sportage IV (2016–2021), including the quick “outside view” spot and the hidden stamped-in chassis marking used for verification.

Chassis Number Locations

1) Dashboard / Windshield VIN plate

• Where to look: Stand outside the car and look through the lower corner of the windshield at the VIN plate sitting on the dashboard.
  On LHD cars it’s commonly at the lower corner on the driver’s side; on some markets it may still appear on the left side of the body regardless of steering position.
• Access: Easy to see, but glare and reflections on the windshield can hide characters.
• Note: Market/steering layout can change which corner is easiest to read—follow the plate, not “driver/passenger” assumptions.
• Tip: If reflections wash out letters, scan it directly with your phone so you don’t misread 8/B, 5/S, or 0/O through glass.

2) B-Pillar / Door frame label

• Where to look: Open the front door and inspect the B-pillar (between the front and rear doors) for a black/white manufacturer label that can include the VIN plus paint/weights.
• Access: Very easy access; no tools needed.
• Note: On some European Sportage IV examples, the B-pillar sticker may not show the full VIN (it may show tire/pressure info instead). If you don’t see the VIN here, rely on the windshield plate and the stamped floor VIN.
• Tip: Because it’s usually high-contrast print, use the free VIN reader to capture it instantly and avoid transcription errors.

3) Floor / Chassis VIN stamp (under carpet flap)

• Where to look: The VIN is stamped into the metal floor cross-member under a front seat, hidden by a pre-cut rectangular carpet flap (often covered by the floor mat).
  Steps:
  1. Slide the front seat all the way back.
  2. Find the rectangular cut-out/flap in the carpet.
  3. Lift the flap to expose the stamped VIN in the metal. Orientation note: This stamp can vary by market—check the front footwell floor (commonly on the passenger side for LHD vehicles, but check the driver side footwell if not found). The carpet cut-out is your visual cue.
• Access: Dark, tight working area; seat movement required. The stamping is often painted over, so contrast is low and dirt collects here.
• Tip: Turn on extra light and let OCR do the work—capture it with ScanVin’s flashlight + OCR so you’re not squinting at painted-over characters.

4) Engine block stamping (Engine Number)

• Where to look: In the engine bay, the engine number is stamped on a flat machined surface on the engine block, located below the throttle body / air intake area, facing toward the front—but buried under hoses and components.
• Access: Hard to see and reach; usually greasy/dusty and low light. A phone camera (or borescope) helps.
• Note: This is typically the engine number, not the primary public VIN plate—use it for deeper verification when documents/labels look suspicious.
• Tip: Since it’s cramped and dirty, use High Contrast AI Mode to scan it instead of trying to write it down while leaning into the engine bay.

Video Guide

Video Tutorial: Kia Sportage 2015-2021 VIN number location - YouTube

▶ Watch KIA Sportage VIN Location Guide

• Concise LHD walk-through showing the windshield VIN and the under-carpet floor stamp, plus a warning that some EU door-jamb stickers may not show the full VIN.

Video Tutorial: Chassis and engine number location in Kia Sportage - YouTube

▶ Watch KIA Sportage VIN Location Guide

• Detailed guide showing the chassis stamp and a clear look at the engine number stamping location.

Common Problems & Troubleshooting

• Windshield glare hides characters: Move your angle left/right, shade the plate with your hand, and clean the glass inside/out.
• Floor stamp is hard to read (painted-over + dirt): Pry up the carpet flap fully, wipe/scrub the metal gently, and use strong light/flash for contrast.
• Sticker vs stamped VIN mismatch: If a door label looks tampered, missing, or incomplete, verify against the windshield plate and the stamped floor VIN, and ensure it matches registration/title documents.

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