2020 Kia Sorento Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2020 Kia Sorento lug nut torque is 87 ft-lbs, 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: 87 ft-lbs · Socket size: 21mm · Thread: M12x1.5.

This page is the OEM-referenced fastener summary for the 2020 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 2020 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 2020 late-model work: Modern vehicles increasingly use aluminum body and suspension components. Aluminum fastener torque is typically 60-70% of equivalent steel torque, and aluminum threads strip easily. Use a calibrated torque wrench and apply anti-seize on any steel fastener threading into aluminum.

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 2020 Kia Sorento?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 2020 Kia Sorento is 87 ft-lbs, 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 2020 Kia Sorento lug nuts?

The 2020 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 2020 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.

→ 2020 Kia Sorento oil drain plug torque & size

→ 2020 Kia Sorento suspension & steering torque specs (control arm, ball joint, tie rod)

→ 2020 Kia Sorento axle nut torque spec (CV axle & hub nut)

→ 2020 Kia Sorento brake job torque specs (caliper, bracket & slide pins)

All 41 2020 Kia Sorento fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 2020 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 41 fastener specs on this page are independently verified against OEM service manuals and manufacturer torque data.

Brakes — 2020 Kia Sorento

Brake fasteners on the 2020 Kia Sorento — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. For the caliper slide, plan for a 14mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 25 ft-lbs (front slide). Rear slide tightens to 16 ft-lbs, takes a 12mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the caliper slide. The rear bracket uses a 14mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 41 ft-lbs at the caliper bracket. At the caliper bracket, the front bracket torques to 65 ft-lbs (17mm drive, M12x1.5 thread). For the front caliper, plan for a 12mm hex tool on a M10 stud; final torque is 22 ft-lb (front brake caliper slide pin). This figure is independently verified against OEM service data.

Engine — 2020 Kia Sorento

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2020 Kia Sorento, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. Alternator mounting bolt tightens to 30-40 ft-lbs, runs on M10x1.25 threads. The spark plug uses a 5/8" (16mm) drive on a M14x1.25 thread, torqued to 18 ft-lbs (24 Nm) at the cylinder head. At the intake manifold, the intake torques to 18 ft-lbs (12mm drive, M8x1.25 thread). For the valve cover, plan for a 10mm tool on a M6x1.0 stud; final torque is 8 ft-lbs (valve cover). Cylinder head tightens to 18 ft-lbs + 90 deg, takes a 12mm driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads, located at the cylinder head. The valve cover bolt is a M6x1.0 thread, torqued to 7-10 ft-lbs. At the timing cover, the camshaft sprocket torques to 58 ft-lbs (17mm drive, M12x1.5 thread). For the oil pan, plan for a 17mm tool on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is 29 ft-lbs (oil pan). Oil drain plug tightens to 25 ft-lbs (34 Nm), runs on M14x1.5 threads.

Drivetrain — 2020 Kia Sorento

Drivetrain and driveline fasteners for the 2020 Kia Sorento — axle, transmission, and differential plugs. The axle nut rear is a M24x1.5 thread, torqued to 170-200 ft-lbs. The transmission mount bolt torques to 55-70 ft-lbs (M12x1.25 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). Axle nut front tightens to 170-200 ft-lbs, runs on M24x1.5 threads.

Suspension — 2020 Kia Sorento

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 2020 Kia Sorento — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. The rear shock absorber lower bolt torques to 85-100 ft-lbs (M14x1.5 thread). For the control arm, plan for a 19mm tool on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is 59 ft-lbs (control arm). Stabilizer bar link nut front tightens to 25-35 ft-lbs, runs on M10x1.25 threads. The front lower control arm rear bolt is a M12x1.25 thread, torqued to 70-85 ft-lbs. The front strut top mount nut torques to 30-40 ft-lbs (M14x1.5 thread). plan for the right driver on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 35-45 ft-lbs (rear shock absorber upper nut). Sway bar tightens to 37 ft-lbs, takes a 14mm driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads, located at the sway bar link. The ball joint uses a 19mm drive on a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 59 ft-lbs at the ball joint. 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).

Steering — 2020 Kia Sorento

Steering linkage fasteners on the 2020 Kia Sorento. plan for the right driver on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 22-30 ft-lbs (power steering pump bolt). Steering wheel center bolt tightens to 30-38 ft-lbs, runs on M16x1.5 threads. The tie rod end nut is a M12x1.25 thread, torqued to 25-33 ft-lbs.

Body — 2020 Kia Sorento

Body fasteners on the 2020 Kia Sorento. Hood hinge bolt tightens to 15-20 ft-lbs, runs on M8x1.25 threads.

Brake — 2020 Kia Sorento

Brake fasteners on the 2020 Kia Sorento. The front brake caliper guide pin bolt is a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 22-30 ft-lbs. Confirmed against manufacturer service literature. The rear brake caliper bracket bolt torques to 50-65 ft-lbs (M12x1.25 thread). 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 bracket bolt tightens to 55-70 ft-lbs, runs on M12x1.25 threads.

Transmission — 2020 Kia Sorento

Transmission fasteners on the 2020 Kia Sorento. At the transmission mount, the trans mount torques to 58 ft-lbs (17mm drive, M12x1.5 thread). For the engine block, plan for a 19mm tool on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is 65 ft-lbs (flywheel). Cv axle nut tightens to 160 ft-lbs, takes a 24mm driver, runs on M18x1.5 threads, located at the rear axle.

Wheel Hardware — 2020 Kia Sorento

Wheel Hardware fasteners on the 2020 Kia Sorento. For the all wheels, plan for a 21mm hex tool on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm) (lug nut).

Wheel — 2020 Kia Sorento

Wheel fasteners on the 2020 Kia Sorento. Wheel lug nuts tightens to 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm), runs on M12x1.5 threads.

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 2020 Kia Sorento numbers above.

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