2021 Kia Telluride Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2021 Kia Telluride 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. The wheel bolt pattern is 5x114.3.

Lug nut torque: 87 ft-lbs · Socket size: 21mm · Thread: M12x1.5 · Bolt pattern: 5x114.3.

This page is the OEM-referenced fastener summary for the 2021 Kia Telluride. 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 2021 Kia Telluride

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 2021 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 2021 Kia Telluride?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 2021 Kia Telluride 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 2021 Kia Telluride lug nuts?

The 2021 Kia Telluride 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 2021 Kia Telluride 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 Telluride years

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

→ 2021 Kia Telluride oil drain plug torque & size

→ 2021 Kia Telluride suspension & steering torque specs (control arm, ball joint, tie rod)

All 21 2021 Kia Telluride fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 2021 Kia Telluride, sourced from OEM service literature and verified against community shop data. Values pair imperial (ft-lb) and metric (Nm) where the manufacturer publishes both. 1 of the 21 fastener specs on this page are independently verified against OEM service manuals and manufacturer torque data (last reviewed June 2026).

Wheels — 2021 Kia Telluride

Wheel and lug nut spec for the 2021 Kia Telluride. Lug nut tightens to 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm), takes a 21mm driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads, located at the all four wheels. The wheel lug nut uses a 21mm drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 87 ft-lbs at the wheel hub.

Brakes — 2021 Kia Telluride

Brake fasteners on the 2021 Kia Telluride — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. The front caliper slide pin uses a 14mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 26 ft-lbs at the caliper slide. At the caliper bracket, the front caliper bracket bolt torques to 85 ft-lbs (19mm drive, M16x1.5 thread). For the caliper slide, plan for a 14mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 22 ft-lbs (rear caliper slide pin). Rear caliper bracket bolt tightens to 75 ft-lbs, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads, located at the caliper bracket.

Engine — 2021 Kia Telluride

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2021 Kia Telluride, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. At the exhaust manifold, the exhaust manifold stud torques to 33 ft-lbs (14mm drive, M10x1.25 thread). For the oil pan, plan for a 17mm tool on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is 29 ft-lbs (oil pan bolt). Oil drain plug tightens to 25 ft-lbs (34 Nm), runs on M14x1.5 threads, located at the oil pan. OEM-verified spec. The valve cover bolt uses a 10mm drive on a M6x1.0 thread, torqued to 7 ft-lbs at the valve cover. At the intake manifold, the intake manifold bolt torques to 18 ft-lbs (12mm drive, M8x1.25 thread).

Suspension — 2021 Kia Telluride

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 2021 Kia Telluride — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. For the control arm, plan for a 21mm tool on a M16x1.5 stud; final torque is 73 ft-lbs (front control arm bolt). Tie rod end nut tightens to 37 ft-lbs, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M12x1.25 threads, located at the knuckle. The ball joint nut uses a 19mm drive on a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 65 ft-lbs at the ball joint. At the strut top mount, the strut top mount nut torques to 43 ft-lbs (17mm drive, M12x1.25 thread). For the sway bar link, plan for a 14mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 37 ft-lbs (sway bar link nut). Rear control arm bolt tightens to 73 ft-lbs, takes a 21mm driver, runs on M16x1.5 threads, located at the control arm.

Body — 2021 Kia Telluride

Body fasteners on the 2021 Kia Telluride. Subframe rear bolt tightens to 95 ft-lbs, takes a 21mm driver, runs on M16x1.5 threads, located at the subframe. The subframe front bolt uses a 21mm drive on a M16x1.5 thread, torqued to 95 ft-lbs at the subframe.

Transmission — 2021 Kia Telluride

Transmission fasteners on the 2021 Kia Telluride. The bell housing bolt uses a 19mm drive on a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 65 ft-lbs at the bell housing. At the transmission mount, the transmission mount bolt torques to 58 ft-lbs (17mm drive, M12x1.5 thread).

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 2021 Kia Telluride numbers above.

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