2012 Kia Sorento Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2012 Kia Sorento lug nut torque is 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm) on M12x1.5 studs. Torque in a star pattern in two passes (snug, then final), and re-check after the first 50–100 miles of driving. Use a calibrated torque wrench — not an impact gun — for the final pass.

Lug nut torque: 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm) · Thread: M12x1.5.

This page is the OEM-referenced fastener summary for the 2012 Kia Sorento. Use it before any maintenance or repair job where torque values matter — brake work, wheel changes, suspension service, engine teardowns, or oil changes. Specs are pulled from manufacturer service literature, cross-checked against community data, and updated as new chassis variants become available.

Hyundai/Kia lug-nut torque is 79-88 ft-lbs on nearly all passenger models, M12x1.5 thread, 21mm socket. The Tucson, Sportage, and Santa Fe all use the same fastener spec. Hyundai's oil drain plug threads are unusually fine-pitch and strip easily — always use a torque wrench, not feel.

Common fastener categories on the 2012 Kia Sorento

Wheel / lug nut torque and thread spec (covered above)
Brake caliper bracket bolts (typically 80-130 ft-lbs) and slide/guide pins (18-35 ft-lbs)
Engine oil drain plug torque — rarely above 30 ft-lbs; always use a new crush washer
Transmission pan, valve cover, and intake manifold bolts (low torque, often 89-106 in-lbs)
Suspension control arm, sway bar, tie rod end and ball joint torque
Spark plug torque (typically 10-15 ft-lbs on aluminum heads — do not exceed)
Differential cover bolts (RWD/4WD only) and transfer case fasteners

Repair guidance for this model year

For 2012 model-year work: This era introduced widespread torque-to-yield (TTY) bolts on head, main, and crank pulley fasteners. TTY bolts stretch permanently when torqued and must not be reused — the spec calls for a fresh bolt every time. Always verify TTY status against the FSM before reassembly.

Tools you will need

Metric socket set (8mm-22mm), 6-point impact-rated
Calibrated torque wrench (10-150 ft-lbs covers most automotive jobs; add a 0-250 ft-lbs wrench for truck lug nuts)
Breaker bar (24" minimum) for initial loosening
Penetrating oil (PB Blaster or Kroil) for any fastener over 5 years old
Anti-seize on stainless or dissimilar-metal threads; thread-locker (Loctite blue) on critical reassembly

Frequently asked questions

What is the lug nut torque on a 2012 Kia Sorento?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 2012 Kia Sorento is 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm) on M12x1.5 thread studs. Use a calibrated torque wrench in a star pattern, in two passes (50% and 100%), and re-check after 50-100 miles of driving.

What socket size do I need for the 2012 Kia Sorento lug nuts?

Most modern Kia vehicles use a 19mm or 21mm socket. Older Kia models from before 2000 may use a 13/16" SAE socket on certain trims. Confirm against the actual lug before purchasing aftermarket wheels.

Are the 2012 Kia Sorento fasteners metric or SAE?

Metric is the standard for this vehicle. Most fasteners on this vehicle are metric (M6, M8, M10, M12, M14). Bring a full metric set; SAE substitutes can round the head. Bolt-head markings are the fastest way to confirm grade and material at the bench.

Other Kia Sorento years

Same model, different model year — fastener spec may change. Always confirm against the year for your VIN.

→ 2012 Kia Sorento oil drain plug torque & size

→ 2012 Kia Sorento suspension & steering torque specs (control arm, ball joint, tie rod)

All 37 2012 Kia Sorento fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 2012 Kia Sorento, sourced from OEM service literature and verified against community shop data. Values pair imperial (ft-lb) and metric (Nm) where the manufacturer publishes both. 3 of the 37 fastener specs on this page are independently verified against OEM service manuals and manufacturer torque data (last reviewed June 2026).

Wheels — 2012 Kia Sorento

Wheel and lug nut spec for the 2012 Kia Sorento. Lug nut tightens to 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm), takes a 21mm driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads, located at the wheel hub. This figure is independently verified against OEM service data.

Brakes — 2012 Kia Sorento

Brake fasteners on the 2012 Kia Sorento — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. The front slide uses a 14mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 25 ft-lbs at the caliper slide. At the caliper bracket, the front bracket torques to 65 ft-lbs (17mm drive, M12x1.5 thread). For the caliper bracket, plan for a 14mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 41 ft-lbs (rear bracket). Front brake caliper slide pin tightens to 22 ft-lb, takes a 12mm hex driver, runs on M10 threads, located at the front caliper.

Engine — 2012 Kia Sorento

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2012 Kia Sorento, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. The valve cover bolt torques to 7-10 ft-lbs (M6x1.0 thread). plan for the right driver on a M14x1.25 stud; final torque is 13-17 ft-lbs (spark plug). Oil pan tightens to 29 ft-lbs, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads, located at the oil pan. The cylinder head uses a 12mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 18 ft-lbs + 90 deg angle at the cylinder head. At the valve cover, the valve cover torques to 8 ft-lbs (10mm drive, M6x1.0 thread). plan for the right driver on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is 29 ft-lbs (39 Nm) (oil drain plug). OEM-verified spec. Intake tightens to 18 ft-lbs, takes a 12mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the intake manifold. The alternator mounting bolt is a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 30-40 ft-lbs.

Drivetrain — 2012 Kia Sorento

Drivetrain and driveline fasteners for the 2012 Kia Sorento — axle, transmission, and differential plugs. plan for the right driver on a M24x1.5 stud; final torque is 170-200 ft-lbs (axle nut front). Transmission mount bolt tightens to 55-70 ft-lbs, runs on M12x1.25 threads. The axle nut rear is a M24x1.5 thread, torqued to 170-200 ft-lbs. At the front hub, the front axle hub nut torques to 214 ft-lb (32mm hex drive, M24 thread).

Suspension — 2012 Kia Sorento

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 2012 Kia Sorento — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. Rear shock absorber upper nut tightens to 35-45 ft-lbs, runs on M12x1.25 threads. The rear shock absorber lower bolt is a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 85-100 ft-lbs. The stabilizer bar link nut front torques to 25-35 ft-lbs (M10x1.25 thread). For the ball joint, plan for a 19mm tool on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is 59 ft-lbs (ball joint). Strut tightens to 43 ft-lbs, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads, located at the strut top mount. The front lower control arm front bolt is a M12x1.25 thread, torqued to 70-85 ft-lbs. At the sway bar link, the sway bar torques to 37 ft-lbs (14mm drive, M10x1.25 thread). For the control arm, plan for a 19mm tool on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is 59 ft-lbs (control arm). Front strut top mount nut tightens to 30-40 ft-lbs, runs on M14x1.5 threads. The front lower control arm rear bolt is a M12x1.25 thread, torqued to 70-85 ft-lbs.

Steering — 2012 Kia Sorento

Steering linkage fasteners on the 2012 Kia Sorento. The power steering pump bolt is a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 22-30 ft-lbs. The tie rod end nut torques to 25-33 ft-lbs (M12x1.25 thread). plan for the right driver on a M16x1.5 stud; final torque is 30-38 ft-lbs (steering wheel center bolt).

Body — 2012 Kia Sorento

Body fasteners on the 2012 Kia Sorento. The hood hinge bolt torques to 15-20 ft-lbs (M8x1.25 thread).

Brake — 2012 Kia Sorento

Brake fasteners on the 2012 Kia Sorento. plan for the right driver on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 22-30 ft-lbs (front brake caliper guide pin bolt). Rear brake caliper guide pin bolt tightens to 20-28 ft-lbs, runs on M10x1.25 threads. The front brake caliper bracket bolt is a M12x1.25 thread, torqued to 55-70 ft-lbs. The rear brake caliper bracket bolt torques to 50-65 ft-lbs (M12x1.25 thread).

Wheel — 2012 Kia Sorento

Wheel fasteners on the 2012 Kia Sorento. Wheel lug nuts tightens to 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm), runs on M12x1.5 threads. Confirmed against manufacturer service literature.

Transmission — 2012 Kia Sorento

Transmission fasteners on the 2012 Kia Sorento. The trans mount uses a 17mm drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 58 ft-lbs at the transmission mount.

New to torquing wheels? Read our How lug nut torque works — the complete guide for star-pattern sequence, re-torque intervals, and how to read a lug spec — then use the 2012 Kia Sorento numbers above.

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