The oil filter location on a 2016 Kia Sorento depends on the engine installed. If your SUV has the 2.4-liter inline-four, the filter sits on the side of the engine block near the front and is accessible from underneath. If it has the 3.3-liter V6, the filter is in a lower-front housing on the passenger side, also accessible from beneath with the undertray removed.
Engine options and typical oil filter locations
2.4L inline-four (Nu) engine
On the 2.4L Nu engine, the oil filter is mounted on the side of the engine block toward the front of the vehicle. It is typically accessed from underneath the car after removing the front undertray or splash shield. The system may use a cartridge-style filter inside a small housing rather than a traditional upright canister.
3.3L V6 engine
For the 3.3L Lambda V6, the oil filter is located in a housing on the front lower portion of the engine, on the passenger side. Access is gained from underneath with the undertray removed; the filter may be a traditional spin-on or a cartridge inside a housing depending on market and model year, but it sits in that lower-front area.
How to locate the oil filter on your Sorento
To pinpoint the exact location on your exact vehicle, use these steps. This guidance applies to both engines and helps you locate the filter quickly while performing an oil change.
- Park on a level surface, engage the parking brake, and, if possible, place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
- Raise the front of the Sorento and support it securely on jack stands; remove the front undertray/splash shield to access the engine area.
- From underneath, look for the oil filter area on the side of the engine block near the oil pan. The filter will either be a cylindrical canister (spin-on) or inside a rectangular housing for a cartridge type.
- Follow the oil cooler lines or dipstick area if you’re having trouble locating it; consult the owner’s manual or service manual for the exact service geometry if needed.
- Proceed with replacing the filter according to the filter type, reinstall all components, refill engine oil, and recheck the level.
These steps provide a practical approach to finding the filter on either engine variant. If you still can’t locate it, contact a Kia dealership or a trusted technician and reference your VIN to confirm engine type and filter placement.
Summary
In the 2016 Kia Sorento, the oil filter location varies by engine: the 2.4L inline-four typically has the filter on the side of the engine block near the front, accessible from underneath; the 3.3L V6 places the filter in a lower-front housing on the passenger side, also accessed from below. Always consult the owner's manual for your exact configuration and follow safe service procedures when performing maintenance.