Paul's Travel Pictures

Kia Sorento Interior Door Panel Removal Guide
How to take off the plastic interior door panels of a 2nd generation 2010 to 2015 Kia Sorento to upgrade the speakers.

Main Menu            Home           Digital Cameras

Misc. Pictures            Articles            My Blog

Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-001
2014 Sorento Door Panel
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-002
Pry Out Trim Piece
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-003
Screw Behind Door Handle
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the second generation (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 & 2015) Kia Sorento SUV in removing the plastic interior door panels in order to add soundproofing material, fix a faulty electrical switch, replace a broken power window motor or upgrade the OEM door speakers.

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.

The tools needed to remove the door panels include a small flathead screwdriver, a Phillips head screwdriver, and either an automotive panel removal tool or a large flathead screwdriver.

To remove the OEM door speakers, you'll need an 8mm socket with a 1/4" drive ratchet.



 
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-004
Pry Out Rubber Cover
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-005
Screw In Arm Rest Well
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-006
Outer Edge of Door Panel
The first two steps are to open the door and then lower the window all the way down.

Pry out the rectangular trim piece behind the door opener handle with a small flathead screwdriver.

Set the trim piece aside in a safe place.

Then pry out the rubber screw cover at the bottom of the well in the arm rest.

Move to the outer edge of the door panel and locate the round screw cover.

Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-007
Pry Out Round Screw Cover
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-008
Phillips Head Screw
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-009
Inner Edge Screw Cover
Pry out the round screw cover with a small flathead screwdriver.

Then move to the inner edge of the door panel and pry out the round plastic screw cover.

Set the two screw covers aside in a safe place.

Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-010
Screw Cover Removed
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-011
Door Handle Trim Piece
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-012
Pry Out At Small Notch
Next, move to the rear edge of the silver trim cover on the door pull handle.

Locate the notch and insert the blade of your small flathead screwdriver.

Gently pry up the bottom edge of the trim cover.

Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-013
Trim Cover Removed
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-014
Remove Phillips Head Screw
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-015
Upper Door Pull Handle Screw
Gently continue pulling off the trim cover to release the other retaining clips.

Remove the screw behind the door opener handle by rotating it counterclockwise with the Phillips head screwdriver.

Remove the screw at the top of the door pull handle by turning it counterclockwise with the Phillips head screwdriver.

Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-016
Lower Door Pull Handle Screw
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-017
Remove Arm Rest Screw
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-018
Remove Outer Edge Screw
Then remove the Phillips head screw near the bottom of the door pull handle just below the arm rest.

Remove the Phillips head screw in the arm rest well.

Remove the Phillips head screw on the outer edge of the door panel.

Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-019
Screw & Plastic Piece
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-020
Remove Inner Phillips Screw
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-021
Pry Off Sail Panel
When you remove the screw on the outer edge, it should remain attached to a round plastic piece.

Move to the top inner corner of the door panel and gently pry off the triangular shaped sail panel.

Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-022
Sail Panel Removed
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-023
Disconnect Tweeter Speaker
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-024
Six Screws Removed
Press the release tab on the tweeter speaker's power plug to disconnect.

At this point, you should have removed 4 plastic panels, 2 screw covers and 6 Phillips head screws.

Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-025
Notch In Bottom Edge
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-026
Pull Out Pop Rivets
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-027
Plastic Pop Rivets Removed
Locate the small notch cut out in the bottom edge of the door panel.

Insert either a large flathead screwdriver or an automotive panel pry bar tool in to the notch.

Firmly pull out the plastic pop rivet friction fasteners on the bottom edge of the door panel.

Continue pulling out the pop rivets all along the bottom edge and both sides of the door panel.

Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-028
Lift Panel Off Frame
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-029
Two Cables - Lock & Handle
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-030
Press In Release Tab
Lift the door panel up and off the metal door frame.

Tilt the top of the door panel towards yourself while supporting the bottom with your legs.

The door lock rocker switch and door opener handle cables are held in place to the door panel by a plastic bracket.

Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-031
Bracket Released
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-032
Pull Bracket Off Panel
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-033
Disconnect Power Plug
Press in the small black plastic release tab on the rear edge of the bracket and lift it out of the mount.

Then press the release tab on the switch panel's white plastic electrical connector and slide it straight out of the socket.

Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-034
Electrical Connector
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-035
Door Panel Removed
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-036
Metal Door Frame
Set the plastic door panel aside in a safe place.

The OEM door speaker is located at the lower inner edge of the metal door frame.



 

Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-037
OEM Speaker Power Plug
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-038
Disconnect Power Plug
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-039
Loosen 8mm Speaker Bolts
Press the release tab on the speaker's white plastic electrical connector and slide it straight out of the socket.

Loosen the four bolts that hold the speaker in place by rotating them counterclockwise with an 8mm socket and a ratcheting wrench.

Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-040
Four Bolts Removed
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-041
Pull Off Door Speaker
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-042
Power Window Motor 10mm
Pull the OEM speaker out of the door frame.

The OEM speaker can be replaced with aftermarket speakers in the following sizes: 6 1/2" (6.5") and 6 3/4" (6.75").

If you need to replace a broken power window motor, it is held in place by 10mm bolts.

To help reduce road noise and allow your new speakers to sound their best, apply some Dynamat Sound Deadener to the metal door frame. It will stop vibrations and rattles when you crank up the volume.

Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-043
Hold Door Panel Near Frame
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-044
Push In Electrical Connector
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-045
Re-Insert Cables Bracket
To replace the door panel, hold it near the door frame and tilt the top edge towards yourself.

Push the white plastic power plug back in to the socket below the electrical switch panel.

Re-insert the front edge of the door lock and door opener handle cables bracket in to the mount and then pop in the rear edge.

Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-046
Snap In Bracket
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-047
Lower Door Panel On Frame
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-048
Line Up Friction Fasteners
Make sure that the cables bracket is securely in place.

Lower the door panel on to the top lip of the metal door frame.

Line up the plastic pop rivet friction fasteners on the back of the door panel with their corresponding holes in the metal door frame.

Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-049
Firmly Tap In Pop Rivets
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-050
Replace Outer Edge Screw
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-051
Pop In Screw Cover
Firmly tap in the pop rivets all along the bottom edge and both sides of the door panel.

Replace the screw on the outer edge of the door panel attached to the plastic piece by turning it clockwise with the Phillips head screwdriver.

Pop in the small round plastic screw cover.

Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-052
Connect Tweeter Speaker
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-053
Line Up Sail Panel
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-054
Push On Sail Panel
Push the electrical connector for the tweeter speaker straight in to its socket.

Line up the friction fasteners on the rear of the sail panel and gently push it back in to place.

Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-055
Replace Inner Edge Screw
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-056
Push On Screw Cover
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-057
Replace Screw Below Arm Rest
Replace the Phillips head screw near the inner middle edge of the door panel by turning it clockwise.

Push the round plastic screw cover back in to place.

Replace the Phillips head screw at the bottom of the door pull handle by turning it clockwise.

Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-058
Replace Upper Door Pull Screw
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-059
Line Up Trim Panel
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-060
Push On Trim Panel
Replace the screw near the top of the door pull handle close to the door opener handle.

Line up the trim panel over the door pull handle and gently tap it back in to place.

Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-061
Replace Phillips Head Screw
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-062
Re-Insert Trim Piece
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-063
Trim Piece Replaced
Replace the Phillips head screw behind the door opener handle by turning it clockwise.

Push in the small plastic trim piece behind the door opener handle.

Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-064
Tighten Arm Rest Screw
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-065
Replace Rubber Cover
Kia-Sorento-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide-066
Door Panel Replaced
Replace the screw at the bottom of the well in the center of the arm rest.

Push the rubber cover back in to place at the bottom of the well.

Sit inside the vehicle, close the door and verify that the door opener handle, door lock rocker switch, power window switch and power door lock switch all still work properly.

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

If you found this guide to be helpful, please consider making a small donation by clicking on the PayPal.com "Donate" button located to the right of this paragraph. Thank you!
(Note: I am not a registered charity. Donations are not tax deductible.)

Main Menu       Home       Digital Cameras

Misc. Pictures       Articles       My Blog

 

Copyright 2024 © PaulsTravelPictures.com
 All Rights Reserved ®

Paul's Travel Pictures is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Privacy Policy     About Paul & Author Contact Info