2018 Kia Sorento Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2018 Kia Sorento lug nut torque is 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm), tightened with a 21mm hex 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 hex · Thread: M12x1.5.

This page is the OEM-referenced fastener summary for the 2018 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 2018 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 2018 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 2018 Kia Sorento?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 2018 Kia Sorento is 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm), using a 21mm hex 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 2018 Kia Sorento lug nuts?

The 2018 Kia Sorento uses a 21mm hex 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 2018 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.

→ 2018 Kia Sorento oil drain plug torque & size

→ 2018 Kia Sorento suspension & steering torque specs (control arm, ball joint, tie rod)

→ 2018 Kia Sorento axle nut torque spec (CV axle & hub nut)

→ 2018 Kia Sorento brake job torque specs (caliper, bracket & slide pins)

All 41 2018 Kia Sorento fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 2018 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. 4 of the 41 fastener specs on this page are independently verified against OEM service manuals and manufacturer torque data (last reviewed June 2026).

Brakes — 2018 Kia Sorento

Brake fasteners on the 2018 Kia Sorento — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. At the front caliper, the front brake caliper slide pin torques to 22 ft-lb (12mm hex drive, M10 thread). OEM-verified spec. For the caliper slide, plan for a 12mm tool on a M8x1.25 stud; final torque is 16 ft-lbs (rear slide). Front bracket tightens to 65 ft-lbs, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads, located at the caliper bracket. The front slide uses a 14mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 25 ft-lbs at the caliper slide. At the front knuckle, the front brake caliper bracket bolt torques to 65 ft-lb (14mm hex drive, M12 thread). For the caliper bracket, plan for a 14mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 41 ft-lbs (rear bracket).

Engine — 2018 Kia Sorento

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2018 Kia Sorento, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. For the engine oil pan, plan for a 17mm hex tool on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is 25 ft-lbs (34 Nm) (oil drain plug). Oil pan tightens to 29 ft-lbs, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads, located at the oil pan. The valve cover uses a 10mm drive on a M6x1.0 thread, torqued to 8 ft-lbs at the valve cover. At the intake manifold, the intake torques to 18 ft-lbs (12mm drive, M8x1.25 thread). plan for the right driver on a M6x1.0 stud; final torque is 7-10 ft-lbs (valve cover bolt). Camshaft sprocket tightens to 58 ft-lbs, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads, located at the timing cover. The cylinder head uses a 12mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 18 ft-lbs + 90 deg at the cylinder head. The alternator mounting bolt torques to 30-40 ft-lbs (M10x1.25 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).

Drivetrain — 2018 Kia Sorento

Drivetrain and driveline fasteners for the 2018 Kia Sorento — axle, transmission, and differential plugs. Transmission mount bolt tightens to 55-70 ft-lbs, runs on M12x1.25 threads. The axle nut front is a M24x1.5 thread, torqued to 188 ft-lbs (255 Nm). OEM-verified spec. The axle nut rear torques to 170-200 ft-lbs (M24x1.5 thread). For the front hub, plan for a 32mm hex tool on a M24 stud; final torque is 214 ft-lb (front axle hub nut).

Suspension — 2018 Kia Sorento

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 2018 Kia Sorento — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. The ball joint uses a 19mm drive on a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 59 ft-lbs at the ball joint. At the sway bar link, the sway bar torques to 37 ft-lbs (14mm drive, M10x1.25 thread). plan for the right driver on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 35-45 ft-lbs (rear shock absorber upper nut). Rear shock absorber lower bolt tightens to 85-100 ft-lbs, runs on M14x1.5 threads. The front strut top mount nut is a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 30-40 ft-lbs. At the strut top mount, the strut torques to 43 ft-lbs (17mm drive, M12x1.5 thread). plan for the right driver on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 70-85 ft-lbs (front lower control arm front bolt). Front lower control arm rear bolt tightens to 70-85 ft-lbs, runs on M12x1.25 threads. The stabilizer bar link nut front is a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 25-35 ft-lbs. At the control arm, the control arm torques to 59 ft-lbs (19mm drive, M14x1.5 thread).

Steering — 2018 Kia Sorento

Steering linkage fasteners on the 2018 Kia Sorento. The steering wheel center bolt torques to 30-38 ft-lbs (M16x1.5 thread). plan for the right driver on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 25-33 ft-lbs (tie rod end nut). Power steering pump bolt tightens to 22-30 ft-lbs, runs on M10x1.25 threads.

Body — 2018 Kia Sorento

Body fasteners on the 2018 Kia Sorento. plan for the right driver on a M8x1.25 stud; final torque is 15-20 ft-lbs (hood hinge bolt).

Wheel Hardware — 2018 Kia Sorento

Wheel Hardware fasteners on the 2018 Kia Sorento. Lug nut tightens to 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm), takes a 21mm hex driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads, located at the all wheels.

Brake — 2018 Kia Sorento

Brake fasteners on the 2018 Kia Sorento. The rear brake caliper guide pin bolt is a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 20-28 ft-lbs. Confirmed against manufacturer service literature. The front brake caliper guide pin bolt torques to 22-30 ft-lbs (M10x1.25 thread). This figure is independently verified against OEM service data. plan for the right driver on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 50-65 ft-lbs (rear brake caliper bracket bolt).

Transmission — 2018 Kia Sorento

Transmission fasteners on the 2018 Kia Sorento. At the engine block, the flywheel torques to 65 ft-lbs (19mm drive, M14x1.5 thread). For the rear axle, plan for a 24mm tool on a M18x1.5 stud; final torque is 160 ft-lbs (cv axle nut). Trans mount tightens to 58 ft-lbs, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads, located at the transmission mount.

Wheel — 2018 Kia Sorento

Wheel fasteners on the 2018 Kia Sorento. plan for the right driver on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm) (wheel lug nuts).

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 2018 Kia Sorento numbers above.

Loading the interactive 2018 Kia Sorento fastener lookup with per-bolt filtering, part links, and torque tools…