How much oil does a Kia Sorento take?

2021–2024: 6.13 quarts (5.8 L) for both the 2.5L and 2.5L turbo. 2016–2020: 5.07 quarts (4.8 L) for the 2.4L and the 2.0L turbo, 6.02 quarts (5.7 L) for the 3.3L V6. Hybrid/PHEV 1.6T: its own spec; check the hybrid manual.

What oil does the 2021+ Sorento really require?

Full synthetic only, and the grade depends on the engine: SAE 0W-20 (API SN PLUS/SP or ILSAC GF-6) for the 2.5L, but SAE 0W-30 for the 2.5L turbo. They're printed on facing rows of the same manual table and constantly get mixed up; confirm which engine you have before buying. The 2016–2020 engines are more flexible: 5W-20 (2.4L) or 5W-30 (2.0T and V6) recommended, with alternates allowed by the temperature chart.

What transmission fluid does the Sorento use?

2016–2018 (and the 2.4L through 2020): ATF SP-IV in the 6-speed automatic. 2021+ 2.5L: ATF SP4-M1 in the 8-speed automatic. Kia warns that non-specified fluid, even "compatible" brands, can cause shift problems and failure. 2021+ 2.5L turbo: the 8-speed DCT takes two separate Kia Genuine fluids (WET DCTF 75W gear oil plus a DCT hydraulic oil). The 2019–2020 V6's 8-speed and the hybrid's 6-speed have their own specs; verify in your manual.

Is my Sorento covered by Kia's Theta II engine warranty extension?

Only if it has the 2.4L GDI or 2.0L turbo (2016–2020 models; the class settlement listed 2012–2019 Sorentos). After the KSDS knock-sensor software campaign, Kia covers rod-bearing engine failure long-term on those engines: the software logs code P1326 and cuts power when it hears early wear. The 3.3L V6 is not part of the Theta saga. Confirm your VIN with Kia, and see our Kia warranty guide at /warranty/kia/.

What's the lug nut torque on a Sorento?

It changed with the redesign: 65–79 lb-ft (88–107 N·m) on 2016–2020, and 79–94 lb-ft (107–127 N·m) on 2021+. Tighten in a star pattern and aim for the middle of your truck's range.

Does the Sorento hybrid use the same fluids as the gas models?

No. The 1.6L turbo hybrid and PHEV have their own owner's manual with their own oil spec, a 6-speed automatic with a hybrid-specific ATF, and a second cooling circuit for the power electronics. The gas-engine figures on this page don't transfer over; use the hybrid manual's capacities table.

2016–2024 Kia Sorento Oil Capacity & Fluid Specs

Quick answer

The 2021–2024 Sorento takes 6.13 quarts (5.8 L) of full-synthetic oil: 0W-20 for the 2.5L, 0W-30 for the 2.5L turbo. The 2016–2020 Sorento takes 5.07 quarts (4.8 L) of 5W-20/5W-30 for the 2.4L and 2.0L turbo, or 6.02 quarts (5.7 L) of 5W-30 for the 3.3L V6. Lug torque is 65–79 lb-ft on 2016–2020 and 79–94 lb-ft on 2021+.

Compiled from Kia owner's manuals for the 2016–2024 Sorento: two very different SUVs sharing a name. The 2016–2020 trucks (UM generation) run a 2.4L Theta II GDI, a 2.0L Theta II turbo (through 2018), or a 3.3L Lambda II V6 on 5W-20/5W-30 oil. The 2021 redesign (MQ4) brought the Smartstream 2.5L with an 8-speed automatic and the 2.5L turbo with an 8-speed dual-clutch, both on strict full-synthetic specs that differ from each other (0W-20 vs 0W-30; mixing them up is the most common mistake on this truck). Hybrid and PHEV owners: your 1.6L turbo has its own manual and its own specs; we only print what we've verified, so check your book where noted.

Want the full owner’s manual? It’s free: we link you to your make’s official download →

2.4L 4-cyl (Theta II GDI, 2016–2020)

Specification	Capacity / type
Engine oil (with filter)	5.07 qt (4.8 L), manual lists one drain-and-refill figure
Oil viscosity	5W-20 recommended (API SM+/ILSAC GF-4+/ACEA A5); 5W-30 or 10W-30 allowed by the temperature chart
Automatic, 6-speed (total)	7.50 qt (7.1 L) total fill, not a drain & refill (2016–2018 manual figure; the 2.4 kept this 6-speed through 2020; verify your year) · ATF SP-IV (Kia genuine or equivalent)
Coolant (engine)	8.35 qt (7.9 L), ethylene glycol base for aluminum radiators
Rear differential (AWD)	0.56–0.67 qt (0.53–0.63 L) · 75W/90 GL-5 hypoid gear oil
Transfer case (AWD)	0.36–0.38 qt (0.34–0.36 L) · 75W/90 GL-5 hypoid gear oil

2.0L turbo 4-cyl (Theta II T-GDI, 2016–2018)

Specification	Capacity / type
Engine oil (with filter)	5.07 qt (4.8 L), manual lists one drain-and-refill figure
Oil viscosity	5W-30 recommended (ACEA A5); 5W-40, 10W-30, or 15W-40 allowed by the temperature chart
Automatic, 6-speed (total)	8.24 qt (7.8 L) total fill, not a drain & refill · ATF SP-IV (Kia genuine or equivalent)
Coolant (engine)	7.71 qt (7.3 L), ethylene glycol base for aluminum radiators
Rear differential (AWD)	0.56–0.67 qt (0.53–0.63 L) · 75W/90 GL-5 hypoid gear oil
Transfer case (AWD)	0.36–0.38 qt (0.34–0.36 L) · 75W/90 GL-5 hypoid gear oil

3.3L V6 (Lambda II GDI, 2016–2020)

Specification	Capacity / type
Engine oil (with filter)	6.02 qt (5.7 L), manual lists one drain-and-refill figure
Oil viscosity	5W-30 recommended (ACEA A5); 10W-30 allowed by the temperature chart
Automatic, 6-speed (2016–2018, total)	8.24 qt (7.8 L) total fill, not a drain & refill · ATF SP-IV (Kia genuine or equivalent)
Automatic, 8-speed (2019–2020)	Not verified here, the 2019–2020 V6's 8-speed has its own figure; see your manual or dealer · Kia ATF for the 8-speed; verify the exact spec in your year's manual
Coolant (engine)	9.83 qt (9.3 L), ethylene glycol base for aluminum radiators
Rear differential (AWD)	0.56–0.67 qt (0.53–0.63 L) · 75W/90 GL-5 hypoid gear oil
Transfer case (AWD)	0.70–0.77 qt (0.67–0.73 L) · 75W/90 GL-5 hypoid gear oil

Engine layout: banks, cylinder numbers & firing order

Configuration: V6 (60°)
Mounting: Transverse: mounted sideways (FWD)
Firing order: 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6
Which side is Bank 1?: Bank 1 is the bank that contains cylinder #1:rear bank (firewall side).

Bank 1 (cylinders 1, 3, 5) is the rear bank (firewall side); Bank 2 (cylinders 2, 4, 6) is the front bank (radiator side). That's the head a bank-specific code (P0420/P0430, P0171/P0174, or an upstream oxygen-sensor code) is pointing you to.

2.5L 4-cyl (Smartstream G2.5 GDI, 2021–2024)

Specification	Capacity / type
Engine oil (with filter)	6.13 qt (5.8 L), manual lists one drain-and-refill figure
Oil viscosity	0W-20 full synthetic only (API SN PLUS/SP or ILSAC GF-6)
Automatic, 8-speed (total)	6.87 qt (6.5 L) total fill; a drain & refill takes less, set by level procedure · ATF SP4-M1 (Kia Genuine or the manual-listed brands only)
Coolant (engine)	9.72 qt (9.2 L), ethylene glycol base for aluminum radiators
Rear differential (AWD)	0.56–0.66 qt (0.53–0.63 L) · 75W/85 GL-5 hypoid gear oil
Transfer case (AWD)	0.65–0.72 qt (0.62–0.68 L) · 75W/85 GL-5 hypoid gear oil

2.5L turbo 4-cyl (Smartstream G2.5 T-GDI, 2021–2024)

Specification	Capacity / type
Engine oil (with filter)	6.13 qt (5.8 L), manual lists one drain-and-refill figure
Oil viscosity	0W-30 full synthetic only (API SN PLUS/SP or ILSAC GF-6), NOT the base engine's 0W-20
8-speed dual-clutch (DCT, gear oil)	3.49–3.59 qt (3.3–3.4 L) · Kia Genuine WET DCTF 75W only
8-speed DCT, hydraulic (control) oil	2.59–2.64 qt (2.45–2.5 L) · Kia Genuine WET DCT HYDRAULIC OIL only
Coolant (engine)	8.88 qt (8.4 L), ethylene glycol base for aluminum radiators
Rear differential (AWD)	0.56–0.66 qt (0.53–0.63 L) · 75W/85 GL-5 hypoid gear oil
Transfer case (AWD)	0.51–0.55 qt (0.48–0.52 L) · 75W/85 GL-5 hypoid gear oil

1.6L turbo Hybrid / Plug-in Hybrid (2021–2024)

Specification	Capacity / type
Engine oil (with filter)	Not verified here: the Sorento Hybrid and PHEV have their own owner's manual; use its "Recommended Lubricants and Capacities" table
Oil viscosity	The hybrid manual lists its own full-synthetic spec, different from the 2.5L's; confirm in your manual before buying oil
Automatic, 6-speed (hybrid)	Not verified here; see your hybrid manual or dealer · Kia ATF, hybrid-specific spec; verify in the hybrid manual
Coolant (engine)	Two cooling circuits (engine + hybrid power electronics), capacities not verified here; see the hybrid manual

Capacities compiled from the owner’s manual. Always confirm with your own manual before servicing.

Quick reference

Lug nut torque	2016–2020: 65–79 lb-ft (88–107 N·m) · 2021+: 79–94 lb-ft (107–127 N·m), the spec changed with the redesign
Common factory tire sizes	2016–2020: 235/65R17 · 235/60R18 · 235/55R19 at 34 psi, 2021+: see your door-jamb placard (sizes vary by trim)
Fuel tank	18.8 gal (71 L) 2016–2020 · 17 gal (67 L) 2021+ gas (hybrid/PHEV differ; verify)
Brake fluid	DOT-3 or DOT-4 (2016–2020) · DOT 4 only (2021+)
Spark plugs	Iridium long-life, the owner's manual doesn't print part number or gap; verify per engine before buying

A/C refrigerant & compressor oil

Years / engine	Refrigerant	Charge	Compressor oil
2016-2020 (3rd gen, UM platform) - all gas engines (2.4L, 2.0T, 3.3L V6), WITHOUT rear A/C	R-134a	21.2 oz (600 g)	PAG ISO 46 (FD46), 4.4 oz
2016-2020 (3rd gen, UM platform) - all gas engines, WITH rear A/C	R-134a	26.5 oz (750 g)	PAG ISO 46 (FD46), 6.1 oz
2021-2024 (4th gen, MQ4 platform) - 2.5L MPi, 2.5T, 3.5L V6, WITHOUT rear A/C (gas, non-hybrid)	R-1234yf	15.9 oz (450 g)	PAG ISO 46 YF (Denso ND-OIL 12 / FD46XG equivalent), 3.7 oz
2021-2024 (4th gen, MQ4 platform) - gas engines, WITH rear A/C (3-row)	R-1234yf	28.2 oz (800 g)	PAG ISO 46 YF (FD46XG equivalent), 6.4 oz

⚠ Refrigerant type and charge can change by model year and trim. Always confirm against the under-hood A/C charge label on your specific vehicle before recharging: that decal is the authoritative source. A wrong charge, or the wrong oil (PAG vs. POE), can damage the compressor.

How to read A/C gauges: pressure chart & diagnosis →

Maintenance schedule highlights

Item	Interval
Engine oil & filter	Every 7,500 mi (2016–20) · 8,000 mi (2021+); roughly half under severe use; verify against your year's schedule
Tire rotation	Every 8,000 mi or sooner if wear is uneven (2021+ manual figure; do it with every oil change)
Cabin (climate control) filter	Every 15,000 mi or once a year (2016 manual figure); sooner on dusty roads
Engine air filter	Every ~30,000 mi; sooner in dusty areas; verify
Coolant	Long-life factory fill: first change is high-mileage, then shorter cycles; verify the exact figures in your schedule
Transmission fluid (8AT / 8DCT)	8AT: no change scheduled under normal service. 8DCT (2.5T): its fluids appear in Kia's scheduled-maintenance items, severe use shortens them; verify

Exact products for this vehicle

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DIY oil change: quick steps

1 Set up

Warm the engine a few minutes, park level. The Sorento usually needs ramps or a low-profile jack: drain plug and spin-on filter both live under the engine, behind a splash shield on most years.
2 Drain

Remove the drain plug and fit a fresh crush washer every time. Give it a full 10 minutes: the 2021+ engines hold 5.8 liters and the V6 5.7, and they drain slowly at the end.
3 Filter

Spin-on filter: oil the new gasket, hand-tight plus about three-quarters of a turn. Clean the mating surface and make sure the old gasket came off with the old filter.
4 Refill, verify, reset

Fill per the table for your engine, and double-check the viscosity on 2021+ trucks, because the 2.5L and 2.5L turbo use different oil. Wait a few minutes, check the dipstick, check again after a short drive. Don't run these engines low: Kia's enhanced engine protection cuts power when oil pressure drops and only fully resets after a restart. Reset the service interval in the cluster.

How to reset the oil maintenance light

1 Open the service menu

2021+: in the instrument cluster go to Vehicle Settings → Service Interval (activate it there if it was never set up). 2016–20: use the LCD User Settings menu with the steering-wheel arrows and enable Service Interval with your mileage and months.
2 Reset

2021+: select Reset under Service Interval and confirm. 2016–20: in the Service Mode screen, hold the OK (reset) button for more than 1 second and the countdown returns to the values you set.

Common problems on this vehicle

Theta II rod-bearing failure, P1326, and Kia's extended engine coverage (2.4L and 2.0T only: not the V6)

The 2016–2020 Sorento's 2.4L GDI and 2.0L turbo are Theta II engines: the family behind Kia's rod-bearing failure saga. Kia's class settlement covered 2012–2019 Sorentos with these engines, and Kia's Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) campaign added software that listens for early bearing wear, logs Kia code P1326 (see /codes/kia/p1326/), and limits power to protect the engine; once it's installed, Kia provides extended coverage for bearing-related engine failure (lifetime on the long block for campaign vehicles). Important precision: the 3.3L V6 is NOT part of any of this, if a shop blames a Theta recall on your V6, they're misreading it. If your four-cylinder develops a deep knock or sudden oil loss, stop driving, run your VIN with Kia, and bring oil-change records: also check the dipstick monthly, since these engines are known oil users. Full picture in our Kia warranty guide at /warranty/kia/.

8-speed DCT power loss: recall SC250 (2021–2022, 2.5L turbo)

The 2.5T's wet 8-speed dual-clutch has an electric oil pump that can fail from a supplier quality defect: NHTSA recall 22V-760 (Kia campaign SC250, about 69,000 Sorentos and K5s). The failure gives 20–30 seconds of warning before drive power is lost. The fix is free: dealers check for transmission code P1C2D03, if stored, the whole DCT is replaced; if not, the TCU gets new fail-safe software. Separately, some low-speed DCT manners (slight creep-and-grab in parking lots, a moment's hesitation on rolling stops) are inherent to the design, and Kia has issued TCU calibration updates: before suspecting hardware, have the dealer confirm yours is current.

Tow hitch harness fire risk: recall SC249 (2016–2022, including hybrids)

Sorentos fitted with a tow hitch harness (2016–2022 gas, 2021–2022 Hybrid, 2022–2023 PHEV) were recalled because moisture and debris on the harness module's circuit board can cause an electrical short and fire, even parked. The remedy is free at any Kia dealer. If you tow (or bought used and aren't sure whether a hitch harness was added), run your VIN, and until it's fixed Kia's standard advice for fire recalls applies: park outside, away from structures.

Hybrid and PHEV campaigns: seat-belt pretensioners and the PHEV fuel tank

Two recalls specific to the electrified MQ4s: 2021–2022 Sorento Hybrids and 2022 PHEVs were recalled because front seat-belt pretensioners can explode on deployment and send fragments into the cabin (Kia campaign SC241), and certain 2022 PHEVs got a separate recall for an improperly molded fuel tank that can leak (SC261). Both fixes are free. Hybrid owners should also remember their maintenance specs live in the hybrid's own manual: the capacities on this page marked "not verified" are exactly that, so don't guess on the 1.6T's oil.

Codes this vehicle is known for

Recall results below are shown for 2024 models; check your exact year with the free VIN tool.

Open recalls

Checking NHTSA for open recalls…

Service bulletins (TSBs)

Manufacturer communications and technical service bulletins for this vehicle are available on NHTSA’s site:

View TSBs on NHTSA.gov ↗

Frequently asked questions

How much oil does a Kia Sorento take?: 2021–2024: 6.13 quarts (5.8 L) for both the 2.5L and 2.5L turbo. 2016–2020: 5.07 quarts (4.8 L) for the 2.4L and the 2.0L turbo, 6.02 quarts (5.7 L) for the 3.3L V6. Hybrid/PHEV 1.6T: its own spec; check the hybrid manual.
What oil does the 2021+ Sorento really require?: Full synthetic only, and the grade depends on the engine: SAE 0W-20 (API SN PLUS/SP or ILSAC GF-6) for the 2.5L, but SAE 0W-30 for the 2.5L turbo. They're printed on facing rows of the same manual table and constantly get mixed up; confirm which engine you have before buying. The 2016–2020 engines are more flexible: 5W-20 (2.4L) or 5W-30 (2.0T and V6) recommended, with alternates allowed by the temperature chart.
What transmission fluid does the Sorento use?: 2016–2018 (and the 2.4L through 2020): ATF SP-IV in the 6-speed automatic. 2021+ 2.5L: ATF SP4-M1 in the 8-speed automatic. Kia warns that non-specified fluid, even "compatible" brands, can cause shift problems and failure. 2021+ 2.5L turbo: the 8-speed DCT takes two separate Kia Genuine fluids (WET DCTF 75W gear oil plus a DCT hydraulic oil). The 2019–2020 V6's 8-speed and the hybrid's 6-speed have their own specs; verify in your manual.
Is my Sorento covered by Kia's Theta II engine warranty extension?: Only if it has the 2.4L GDI or 2.0L turbo (2016–2020 models; the class settlement listed 2012–2019 Sorentos). After the KSDS knock-sensor software campaign, Kia covers rod-bearing engine failure long-term on those engines: the software logs code P1326 and cuts power when it hears early wear. The 3.3L V6 is not part of the Theta saga. Confirm your VIN with Kia, and see our Kia warranty guide at /warranty/kia/.
What's the lug nut torque on a Sorento?: It changed with the redesign: 65–79 lb-ft (88–107 N·m) on 2016–2020, and 79–94 lb-ft (107–127 N·m) on 2021+. Tighten in a star pattern and aim for the middle of your truck's range.
Does the Sorento hybrid use the same fluids as the gas models?: No. The 1.6L turbo hybrid and PHEV have their own owner's manual with their own oil spec, a 6-speed automatic with a hybrid-specific ATF, and a second cooling circuit for the power electronics. The gas-engine figures on this page don't transfer over; use the hybrid manual's capacities table.