Removing the Door Panel From the 2011 Kia Sportage

Kia introduced the Sportage, its first sport utility vehicle, to the U.S. market in 1995. The first generation of the Sportage lasted seven years, then the compact SUV went on hiatus for three years. In 2005, Kia reintroduced the Sportage to the American buyer, but as a more refined SUV than prior models. In 2011, Kia took a turn toward the future with the newly redesigned Sportage, giving it swooping and aggressive body lines, as well as a fully revised interior. Removing the door panels from the 2011 Sportages redesigned interior is straightforward once you know where the company hid the panel's retaining screws.

Instructions

Removal

1

Wrap the blade of a flat-head screwdriver with electrical tape to protect the Sportages trim from scratches.

2

Proceed directly to the next step if you are removing a rear door panel. Pry outward on the front part of the sail panel, the triangle-shaped trim piece above the door panel, with a flat-head screwdriver to disengage its retaining clips. Remove the sail panel.

3

Pull the inside door handle outward as if you were opening the door, and pry the trim panel from behind the handle with a flat-head screwdriver, exposing the screw behind it. Remove this screw with a Phillips-head screwdriver.

4

Look inside the pull cup, which is the part you pull to close the door, and find the rectangular screw cover. Pry upward on this screw cover with a flat-head screwdriver to expose the screw under it. Remove the screw with a Phillips-head screwdriver.

5

Find the screw cover on the top rear of the front door panel. Pry the screw cover off with the flat-head screwdriver and remove the screw under it with a Phillips-head screwdriver. On the rear door panel, perform the same process. (Note the rear door panel has two screw covers and screw instead of one.)

6

Pry around the perimeter of the door panel with a trim stick to disengage its retaining clips. Lift the door panel upward to release it from the door frame, then pull it away from the frame just far enough so you can access the wiring harnesses and inner door handle cables.

7

Press and hold the unlocking button on each wiring harness, and unplug each harness from its respective receptacle.

8

Look on the rearmost part of the inside door handles hardware and find the plastic retaining clip. Pry this clip inward with a flat-head screwdriver and pull the hardware from the door panel. Remove the door panel.

Installation

9

Insert the front of the inside door handle hardware into its seat behind the door handle, then press the rear into the seat until it clicks into place. Connect the wiring harnesses into their respective receptacles on the door panel.

10

Set the top of the door panel onto the top of the door frame and press it downward until it seats. Line up the retaining clips on the rear of the panel with the holes on the door frame. Lightly hit around the perimeter of the door panel with the palm of your hand to engage the retaining clips.

11

Tighten the screws on the rear of the door panel the front panel has one screw and the rear has two with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Press the screw cover back in place over the screws.

12

Secure the screw inside the pull cup with a Phillips-head screwdriver and press the screw cover back into place over the top of it.

13

Pull the inside door handle and slide the door handle trim behind the handle, aligning its retaining clips with the slots behind the door handle. Press the door handle trim to lock its retaining clips.

14

Align the clips on the rear of the sail panel on the front door only with the slots in the door frame. Press the sail panel onto the frame until its clips snap into place.