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Kia Sorento Cabin Air Filter Replacement Guide
How to clean or change the HVAC system's cabin air filter element in a 2nd generation 2010-2015 Kia Sorento SUV.

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2014 Sorento Glove Box
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Open Glove Box - Empty
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Right Side Wall
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the second generation (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 & 2015) Kia Sorento SUV in cleaning or changing the A/C system's cabin air filter element located in the HVAC blower motor housing.

Owners of other Kia and Hyundai vehicles such as the Optima, Forte, Cadenza, K900, Rio, Sportage, Sedona, Soul, Elantra, Veloster, Sonata, Azera, Tucson, Santa Fe, Genesis and Equus may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

A few compatible replacement cabin air filters with their part numbers are as follows: Wix 24080, Fram CF11664, Ecogard XC36158, Mahle LA 730, ATP RA-142, Hastings AFC1477, Kia 1UF79-AQ000, Luber-finer CAF1887P, Bosch P3909WS, Pentius PHB6158, Beck Arnley 042-2182, Purolator C36158 and TYC 800159P.

No tools are needed to access the cabin air filter.



 
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Glove Box Damper String
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Pass Anchor Through Hole
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Glove Box Side Stopper
The first few steps are to sit in the front passenger seat, open the glove box and them empty out the contents.

The glove box damper string is attached to a rectangular black plastic anchor on the inner right side wall.

Grab the damper string anchor and pass it through the square shaped hole to release it.

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1/4 Turn Counterclockwise
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Left Side Stop Stop
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1/4 Turn Counterclockwise
To remove the plastic and rubber side stops, first slightly raise the glove box towards the dashboard.

Rotate the knobs 1/4 turn counterclockwise and pull the stops out of the side walls.

Set the two side stoppers aside in a safe place.

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Lower Glove Box
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Filter Access Panel
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Squeeze Together Two Tabs
Carefully lower the glove box down towards the passenger floor mat.

Once the glove box is out of the way, you'll be able to see the HVAC blower motor housing and the rectangular shaped filter access panel.

The filter cover is held in place by two retaining clips with one located on each side.

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Release Right Side Clip
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Pull Off Filter Cover
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Filter Cover Removed
Squeeze together the two plastic tabs on each side to release the retaining clips.

Pull the filter cover straight off the blower motor housing and set it aside in a safe place.

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Old Filter Exposed
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Slide Out Old Air Filter
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Inspect Both Sides
Slide the old filter straight out of the slot and inspect both sides of it.

If the old filter is relatively clean, just tap out the large debris and remove any fine dust with a vacuum.



 

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Clean With Vacuum
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Blower Motor Housing
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Slide In New Filter Element
If the old filter is dark grey or black and clogged with dirt, dust, insects, twigs, leaves, hair, pollen and other debris, it should be replaced with a new element.

I recommend buying the Fram CF11664 "Fresh Breeze" cabin air filter since it has excellent reviews on Amazon.

Orientate the new filter with the "Air Flow" arrow pointing down towards the floor mat.

Slide the new filter straight in to the slot.

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"Air Flow" Arrow Down
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Line Up Filter Cover
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Push - Secure Retaining Clips
Line up the plastic filter cover (with the letters and numbers at the bottom edge readable) over the slot in the blower motor housing.

Gently push the filter cover in to place until you hear or feel the two retaining clips click securely in to place.

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Raise the glove box towards the dashboard.

Pass the small rectangular anchor for the glove box damper string through the square hole in the right side wall.

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Partially close the glove box until the round holes in the side walls are past the dashboard.

Re-insert the two plastic and rubber side stops and rotate them 1/4 turn clockwise to secure them in place.

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Replace the contents of the glove box and close it to complete the job.

For more, check out my other Kia Sorento DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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