Kia Rio
Interior Door Panel Removal Guide
How to take off the plastic interior door
panels of a 3rd generation 2012-2016 Kia Rio to upgrade the OEM speakers.
 2014 Rio Door Panel |
 Door Opener Handle |
 Small Flathead Screwdriver |
| This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the third generation (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and also the
face lifted 2016 model year) Kia Rio in removing the plastic
interior door panels in order to upgrade the OEM speakers, add
soundproofing material, fix a faulty electrical switch or replace a
broken power window motor. Owners of other Kia and Hyundai vehicles such as the Optima, Forte, Cadenza, K900, Sorento, 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 take off the door panels include a small flathead screwdriver, a standard Phillips head screwdriver and either a larger flathead screwdriver or a plastic automotive panel pry bar tool. To replace the OEM door speaker, you'll need a 10mm socket with a 1/4" drive ratchet. |
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 Pry Open Screw Cover |
 Arm Rest Well Screw Cover |
 Pry Open Screw Cover |
| The first steps are
to lower the power window all the way down and then open the passenger door. Then pry out the square plastic screw cover behind the door opener handle with a small flathead screwdriver. Move to the bottom of the door pull well in the center of the arm rest. Pry open the screw cover with a small flathead screwdriver. |
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 Remove Phillips Head Screw |
 Door Handle Screw Removed |
 Remove Door Handle Bezel |
| Remove the screw
behind the door opener handle by turning it counterclockwise with a Phillips
head screwdriver. Set the screw aside in a safe place. Pull out the plastic door opener handle bezel trim piece and set it aside with the screw. |
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 Remove Arm Rest Screw |
 Phillips Screw Removed |
 Screw On Outer Edge |
| Then remove the
screw at the bottom of the door pull in the center of the armrest by turning
it counterclockwise with the Phillips head screwdriver. Set the screw aside with the other pieces. |
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 Remove Counterclockwise |
 3 Screws & 1 Trim Piece |
 Insert Flathead Screwdriver |
| Move to the outer
edge of the door panel and remove the screw by turning it counterclockwise
with the Phillips head screwdriver. Insert a large flathead screwdriver or an automotive panel removal tool in to the notch at the bottom of the door panel. Firmly pull out the bottom edge of the door panel to disengage the pop rivet friction fasteners. |
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 Pull Out Pop Rivet Fasteners |
 Lift Door Panel Off Frame |
 Tilt Away Top of Panel |
| Continue pulling
out the pop rivets all along the bottom edge and both sides of the door
panel. Lift the door panel straight off the top of the metal door frame. Tilt the top edge of the door panel towards yourself and support the bottom with your legs. |
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 Release Power Plug |
 Plastic Door Panel Removed |
 Metal Door Frame |
| Press the release
tab on the white plastic electrical connector on the bottom of the switch
panel and slide it straight out of its socket. Set the plastic door panel aside in a safe place. |
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 10mm Socket & Wrench |
 OEM Door Speaker |
 Disconnect Speaker Plug |
| Press the release tab on the small white plastic power plug for the OEM door speaker and slide it straight out of its socket. | ||
 Remove Three 10mm Bolts |
 Speaker Screws Removed |
 Pull Off OEM Speaker |
| Remove the three
bolts holding the speaker in place by turning them counterclockwise with the
10mm socket and ratcheting wrench. Pull the OEM speaker out of the door frame. The OEM door speakers can be replaced with aftermarket speakers in the following sizes: 5 1/4" (5.25") and 6 1/2" (6.5"). I'd recommend purchasing new speakers from Amazon since you can verify that they will fit your vehicle. |
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 Hold Panel Near Frame |
 Re-Connect Power Plug |
 Lower Panel On Frame |
| If you'd like to
reduce road noise, apply some Dynamat
Sound Deadener to the metal door frame. It will also help stop
vibrations and rattles when you crank up the volume. To replace the plastic door panel, hold it near the frame and tilt the top edge towards yourself. Push the white plastic power connector straight in to the socket at the bottom of the switch panel. Lower the door panel on to the top lip of the metal door frame. |
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 Line Up Friction Fasteners |
 Firmly Tap In Pop Rivets |
 Replace Outer Edge Screw |
| Line up the white
plastic friction fasteners on the rear of the door panel with their
corresponding holes. Firmly tap in the pop rivets all along the bottom edge and both sides of the door panel. Replace the screw at the outer edge of the door panel by turning it clockwise with the Phillips head screwdriver. |
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 Replace Arm Rest Screw |
 Pop In Screw Cover |
 Replace Door Handle Bezel |
| Replace the screw
at the bottom of the door pull well in the center of the arm rest by turning
it clockwise with the Phillips head screwdriver. Pop in the small plastic screw cover. Replace the plastic bezel trim piece behind the door opener handle. |
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 Tighten Phillips Screw |
 Snap In Screw Cover |
 Door Panel Replaced |
| Replace the
Phillips head screw behind the door opener handle by turning it clockwise
until it is snug. Pop in the screw cover. Sit inside the vehicle, close the door and verify that the door opener handle, door lock rocker switch, power door lock switch and power window switch all still work properly. For more,
check out my other
2012-2016 Kia Rio DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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