KiaSorento2017Overview/kia/sorento/2017/base/

2017 Kia Sorento

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2017 Sorento.

Body SUV

The 2017 Kia Sorento is an SUV whose engine requires 5.1 qt of 5W‑30 oil. With four recalls recorded and a total of 788 owner complaints—most often related to the engine—it falls between the model’s worst year (2011, 1,516 complaints) and its best (2010, only three complaints). This positions the 2017 Sorento in the middle of the vehicle’s reliability history, indicating fewer issues than the peak trouble year but more than the unusually low‑complaint 2010 model.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.1 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-79 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 124R · 700 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 124R · 700 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnHEADOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235/60R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length187.8 in
Overall width74.4 in
Overall height67.3 in
Wheelbase109.4 in
Curb weight4004 lb
Track (front / rear)64.2 / 64.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Sorento of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.1–9.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.10 sec — 2016 SX V6
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2016SX V6 3.3L V67.10 sec15.70 sec290 hpAWD
2016EX V6 3.3L V67.20 sec15.70 sec290 hpAWD
2016SX V6 3.3L V67.20 sec15.70 sec290 hpAWD
2016SXL Turbo 2.0L Turbo I-48.00 sec16.20 sec240 hpAWD
2016SXL Turbo 2.0L Turbo I-49.00 sec16.80 sec240 hpAWD
2016LX 2.4L I-49.10 sec16.90 sec185 hpFWD
2019SXL V6 3.3L V67.20 sec15.50 sec290 hpAWD
2019SXL V6 3.3L V67.60 sec15.80 sec290 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.1 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-79 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.5-8.2
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.3 qt
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity7.7
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.2-8.7 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.2-8.7 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.2-8.7 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.2-8.7 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.1-7.2 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.1-7.2 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)47.0-54.2 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)28.9-36.2 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential drain Plug36.1 - 50.6 ft-lbs
Driveshaft Flange to Transmission36.1 - 50.6 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts65-79 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts17.4-24.6 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug28.9 - 43.4 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug43.4 - 57.9 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug28.2-35.4 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub217.0

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)640 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)660 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)640 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number124R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance700 cca
Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance800 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)70-75 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)70-75 psi
Engine Compression164-185 PSI. 15 MAXIMUM VARIATION PSI.
Engine Compression128-149 PSI. 14 MAXIMUM VARIATION PSI.

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront or rear: 16-23
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 58-; Rear: 47-
ABS Sensor Torque11.0
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.020 Rear: .370
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishStamped on rotor
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation0.0002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
148.0 inch lbs.48 in
284.0-108.0 inch lbs.84–108 in
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep M6 Bolts

152.0 inch lbs.52 in
296.0-112.0 inch lbs.; M8 Bolts96–112 in
123.0-26.0 ft. lbs.23–26 ft. lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep M6 Bolts

196.0-112.0 inch lbs.; M8 Bolts96–112 in
120.0-23.0 ft. lbs.20–23 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
120.0-23.0 ft. lbs.20–23 ft. lbs
270.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
113.0-16.0 ft. lbs.13–16 ft. lbs
285.0
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not lubricate cylinder head bolts with engine oil. Apply Loctite 5900H or equivalent on the front edge of the cylinder head gasket on both sides. Cylinder head must be assembled within 5 minutes of applying sealant.

124.0-27.0 ft. lbs.24–27 ft. lbs
290 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not lubricate cylinder head bolts with engine oil. Apply Loctite 5900H or equivalent on the front edge of the cylinder head gasket on both sides. Cylinder head must be assembled within 5 minutes of applying sealant.

124.0-27.0 ft. lbs.24–27 ft. lbs
290 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not lubricate cylinder head bolts with engine oil. apply liquid gasket threebond 1217H or equivalent on the edge of the cylinder block and head gasket. Cylinder head must be assembled within 5 minutes of applying sealant.

128.0-30.0 ft. lbs.28–30 ft. lbs
2118 degrees-122 degrees118 degrees
388 degrees-92 degrees; External head bolts: 13.7-17.5 ft. lbs.88 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Inside bolts

136.0 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
290.0 degrees; Outside bolts90 degrees
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
2120.0 degrees; Side bolts120 degrees
121.0-23.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
111.0. ft. lbs.
220.0-23.0 ft. lbs.20–23 ft. lbs
3120.0-125.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
111.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
220.0-23.0 ft. lbs.20–23 ft. lbs
3120.0-125.0
Engine Valve Cover Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.9-4.3 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5.8-7.22.9–4.3 ft. lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.9-4.3 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5.8-7.22.9–4.3 ft. lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.6-4.3 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7.2-8.73.6–4.3 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,500 mi; spark plugs every 97,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miBattery (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Filter (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 37,500 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2017 Kia Sorento recorded 788 federal complaints, 4 recalls and 3 investigations, placing it well below the 2016 peak of 1,237 complaints but still above the 2018 figure of 248. Complaint volume across the model generation rose sharply from 2003 through 2011, peaked in the mid‑2010s, and has been declining steadily since 2016, with 2017 representing a midpoint of that downward trajectory. The 2017 complaints are concentrated in the engine, exterior lighting, steering and “unknown or other” categories, accounting for 271, 85, 82 and 58 of the total respectively, while crash‑related and fire‑related complaints numbered 12 and 31. Compared with the surrounding years, 2017’s recall count (4) is comparable to 2016 and 2018, but its complaint rate remains higher than 2018 and lower than the 2016 peak. Consequently, while 2017 is not the worst year in the line, it is advisable to seek a later model year or verify that any reported issues have been addressed before purchase.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
241
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
788
Owner complaints
12 involved a crash · 31 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 788 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine271
Exterior Lighting85
Steering82
Unknown Or Other58
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting22
Electrical System20
Unknown Or Other,Engine17
Power Train15

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V907000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 19/12/2018

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor… Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer…

17V586000Engine And Engine Cooling:EngineReported 21/09/2017

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017 Sorento vehicles equipped with 3.3L engines. The engine crankshaft may have been improperly heat treated and may fail. Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the crankshaft, and, as necessary, replace the engine sub assembly, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 241 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
WTY031_TSB_R22026-06-16Electrical SystemTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH REPAIR…
CS2312_TSB_R22026-06-08StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
SC340_TSB_R52026-04-03EngineVOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS: ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT…
WTY026_TSB_R22026-03-18EngineTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OIL PRESSURE SWITCH (OPS)…
SC340_TSB_R42026-03-05Electrical SystemTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sorento. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2017 Sorento take?

5.1 qt of 5W-30 Use lubricant equivalent to ACEA A5/B5, per the factory manual.

Does the 2017 Sorento have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.