2012 Kia Sorento Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2012 Kia Sorento lug nut torque is 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm), tightened with a 21mm socket 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) · Socket size: 21mm · 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), using a 21mm socket 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?

The 2012 Kia Sorento uses a 21mm socket. A 6-point impact-rated socket is recommended over a 12-point chrome socket — 12-points round off lug nuts under impact-driver use.

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)

→ 2012 Kia Sorento axle nut torque spec (CV axle & hub nut)

→ 2012 Kia Sorento brake job torque specs (caliper, bracket & slide pins)

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. 5 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 bracket uses a 17mm drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 65 ft-lbs at the caliper bracket. At the caliper slide, the front slide torques to 25 ft-lbs (14mm drive, M10x1.25 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. OEM-verified spec.

Engine — 2012 Kia Sorento

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2012 Kia Sorento, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. At the cylinder head, the cylinder head torques to 18 ft-lbs + 90 deg angle (12mm drive, M10x1.25 thread). plan for the right driver on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is 25 ft-lbs (34 Nm) (oil drain plug). This figure is independently verified against OEM service data. Valve cover tightens to 8 ft-lbs, takes a 10mm driver, runs on M6x1.0 threads, located at the valve cover. The alternator mounting bolt is a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 30-40 ft-lbs. The valve cover bolt torques to 7-10 ft-lbs (M6x1.0 thread). For the cylinder head, plan for a 5/8" (16mm) tool on a M14x1.25 stud; final torque is 18 ft-lbs (24 Nm) (spark plug). Intake tightens to 18 ft-lbs, takes a 12mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the intake manifold. The oil pan uses a 17mm drive on a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 29 ft-lbs at the oil pan.

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 M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 55-70 ft-lbs (transmission mount bolt). Axle nut rear tightens to 170-200 ft-lbs, runs on M24x1.5 threads. The axle nut front 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. Front lower control arm rear bolt tightens to 70-85 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 front strut top mount nut torques to 30-40 ft-lbs (M14x1.5 thread). For the ball joint, plan for a 19mm tool on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is 59 ft-lbs (ball joint). Sway bar tightens to 37 ft-lbs, takes a 14mm driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads, located at the sway bar link. The control arm uses a 19mm drive on a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 59 ft-lbs at the control arm. The stabilizer bar link nut front torques to 25-35 ft-lbs (M10x1.25 thread). plan for the right driver on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 70-85 ft-lbs (front lower control arm front bolt). Rear shock absorber upper nut tightens to 35-45 ft-lbs, runs on M12x1.25 threads. The strut uses a 17mm drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 43 ft-lbs at the strut top mount.

Steering — 2012 Kia Sorento

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

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 20-28 ft-lbs (rear brake caliper guide pin bolt). OEM-verified spec. Front brake caliper guide pin bolt tightens to 22-30 ft-lbs, runs on M10x1.25 threads. Confirmed against manufacturer service literature. The rear brake caliper bracket bolt is a M12x1.25 thread, torqued to 50-65 ft-lbs. The front brake caliper bracket bolt torques to 55-70 ft-lbs (M12x1.25 thread).

Transmission — 2012 Kia Sorento

Transmission fasteners on the 2012 Kia Sorento. Trans mount tightens to 58 ft-lbs, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads, located at the transmission mount.

Wheel — 2012 Kia Sorento

Wheel fasteners on the 2012 Kia Sorento. The wheel lug nuts is a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm).

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.

Loading the interactive 2012 Kia Sorento fastener lookup with per-bolt filtering, part links, and torque tools…