When it comes to an interesting vehicle line for keeping up with key blanks and code series, the Korean-made Hyundai and Kia car models are hard to beat. Lock series and key blanks often seem to be changed when supplies run out instead of at the end of a model year. Many car companies now introduce new models in mid-year. This is good for generating customer excitement, but it makes it very difficult to catalog exact code series usage according to a model year.
In the case of Hyundai and Kia, large groups of invoices have often been pre-printed with the beginning code letters, so only the individual key code numbers have to be inserted during manufacture. Old invoices continued to be used as running changes to new keys and code series occurred and the result is invoices with the wrong code prefix letter linked with the right code number. As example, doubles-sided keys using the "V" prefix often have the older "Y" prefix on the invoice.
One locksmith reported that his local Hyundai dealer never tries to originate keys by code. The dealer sends the key code, year and model information back to Hyundai and lets Hyundai originate the key. The best solution when cutting keys by code for older Hyundai or Kia models which use double-sided keys is to try a blank in the lock cylinder before cutting a key.
Even if a correct letter is shown on the invoice, some information may still be missing. When double letter key codes are used such as 'KG,' the key tag will contain both letters, while the invoice may only contain one letter. It has been found that either KG or G are the same G series and KE, HK, E or K prefixes are the same K series.
According to Hyundai & Kia, beginning VIN information may designate the model and year. Some examples are; JB/Rio, MG/Optima, AM/Soul, HM/Borrego, TD/Forte, UN/Rondo, KM/Sportage, VQ/Sedona, LM/Tucson, YF/Sonata, MC/Accent, FD/Elantra Touring, SL/2012 Sportage, TG/Azera, C/Santa Fe, D/Elantra & V/Entourage. At least one manufacturer has stamped some of their aftermarket key blanks with corresponding information.
The following list shows the most current available listing of popular Hyundai/Kia code series and key blanks by year and model. Model names and key blanks reflect usage in USA. Hyundai/Kia cars sold in Canada may have different model names and key blanks. Canadian vehicles require transponder key systems. Ilco key blank number are shown, but other aftermarket suppliers such as Bianchi, JET, JMA and Strattec may also have some of these keys available in their lines.
Chart 1. Hyundai Keys
Model Year Series Key Blank
ACCENT 1995-1999 R0001-R1000 X235
2000-2005 T0001-T1000 X236
2006-2011 V0001-V1200 HY16-P
2012 T1001-T3500 HY18-P
AZERA 2006-2012 G0001-G2500 HY20-PT
KG0001-KG2500 HY20-PT
ELANTRA 1992-1995 J0001-J1000 HY6
1996-2006 T0001-T1000 X236
2007-2010 M0001-M2500 HY17-P
T0001-T2500 HY17-P
2011-2012 T1001-T3500 HY18-P
ELANTRA 2009-2010 G0001-G2500 LXP90-P
TOURING KG0001-KG2500 LXP90-P
2011-2012 K0001-K2500 KK10-P
HK0001-HK2500 KK10-P
ENTOURAGE 2007-2009 H0001-H2500 HY15-P
EQUUS 2011-2012 K0001-K2500 Emer Key
GENESIS SEDAN 2009-2012 J0001-J2500 Emer Key
GENESIS COUPE 2010-2012 M0001-M2500 Emer Key
SANTA FE 2001-2006 S0001-1000 X232
2007-2012 M0001-M2500 Dealer
SONATA 1989-1994 Y1001-Y2000 HY4
1995-2005 S0001-S1000 X232
2006-2010 F0001-F2500 HY15-P
2011-2012 K0001-K2500 KK10-P
HK0001-HK2500 KK10-P
TIBURON 1997-2007 T0001-T1000 X236
2008-2009 M0001-M2500 Dealer
TUCSON 2005-2007 V0001-V1200 X236
2008-2012 M0001-M2500 Emer Key
VELOSTAR 2012 T1001-T3500 HY18-P
VERACRUZ 2007-2009 M0001-M2500 Dealer
2010-2012 M0001-M2500 Emer Key
Chart 2. Kia Keys
Model Year Series Key Blank
AMANTI 2004-2006 L0001-L1000 KK7-PT
2007-2009 L0001-L1000 KK9-PT
BORREGO 2009-2009 G0001-G2500 HY20-PT
KG0001-KG2500 HY20-PT
FORTE 2010-2012 WD1001-WD3500 KK8-P
OPTIMA 2001-2006 S0001-S1000 X232
2007-2009 V0001-V1200 HY15-P
2010-2012 K0001-K2500 LXP90-P
HK0001-HK2500 LXP90-P
RIO SEDAN 2001-2003 Y2001-Y3000 X253/X267
2004-2005 WA1001-WA3040X269
2006-2009 V0001-V1200 HY16-P
2010-2012 K0001-K2500 LXP90-P
KE0001-KE2500 LXP90-P
RIO CINCO 2003-2005 WA1001-WA3040 X269
2006-2009 V0001-V1200 HY16-P
2010-2012 K0001-K2500 LXP90-P
KE0001-KE2500 LXP90-P
RONDO 2007-2010 H0001-H2500 HY17-P
2011-2012 K0001-K2500 KK10-P
HK0001-HK2500 KK10-P
SEDONA 2002-2006 Y2001-Y3000 X253/X267
2006-2008 H0001-H2500 HY15-P
2009-2012 H0001-H2500 Dealer
SOUL 2010-2012 C1001-C3500 KK8-P
WC1001-WC3500 KK8-P
SORRENTO 2003-2009 S0001-S1000 X232
2011-2012 G0001-G2500 HY20-PT
KG0001-KG2500 HY20-PT
SPECTRA 2001-2004 Y2001-Y3000 X253/X267
2005-2008 V0001-V1200 X236
SPORTAGE 1995-2000 Y7001-Y8200 X240
2001-2002 Y2001-Y3000 X253/X267
2005-2010 V0001-V1200 X236
2011-2012 M0001-M2500 Dealer
