P0325 on Kia
Knock Sensor 1 Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1)
P0325 on Kia vehicles indicates knock sensor 1 circuit malfunction (bank 1). Au7o has documented this code across 2 Kia models — most commonly on K5, Sorento. This code indicates a fault in the knock sensor 1 circuit on Bank 1. The knock sensor listens for the vibrations of detonation (pinging/spark knock) and lets the computer retard ignition timing to protect the engine. When the sensor's signal is missing, out of range, or the circuit is open/shorted, P0325 sets. With knock detection compromised, the computer may run more conservative timing, causing reduced power and slightly lower fuel economy, and the engine is less protected against damaging knock.
Common Causes of P0325
- •Failed knock sensor
- •Corroded or loose knock sensor connector
- •Damaged, open, or shorted sensor wiring
- •Improperly torqued or loosely mounted sensor
- •Moisture or corrosion in the connector
- •Wiring harness chafing near the engine
- •Faulty PCM/ECM (rare)
P0325 on Kia by Model
Kia K5(1 issue)
- Theta II Engine Knock Sensor Issues and Knock-Related Concerns2021-2025
The 2.5L Theta II engine in certain K5 models has experienced knock sensor faults and engine knock concerns. The knock sensor may trigger false positives or fail to detect actual detonation, causing the ECU to either retard timing unnecessarily (reducing power) or fail to protect against harmful knock. Kia issued a software update to improve knock detection logic, but some owners report persistent issues after the update.
Kia Sorento(1 issue)
- Theta II Engine Bearing Failure and Seizure2011-2019
The Theta II 2.4L and 2.0T GDI engines in 2011-2019 Sorentos can experience catastrophic engine seizure due to machining debris left in the crankshaft oil passages during manufacturing. Metal shavings restrict oil flow to rod and main bearings, causing premature bearing wear and eventual engine lock-up. Over 340,000 Sorentos were included in NHTSA Recall 17V-224. Kia extended the powertrain warranty to 10 years/120,000 miles for affected vehicles and deployed the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update to detect early bearing deterioration.
Looking for P0325 on a different make?
View P0325 across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does P0325 mean on Kia?▼
P0325 stands for "Knock Sensor 1 Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1)." This code indicates a fault in the knock sensor 1 circuit on Bank 1. The knock sensor listens for the vibrations of detonation (pinging/spark knock) and lets the computer retard ignition timing to protect the engine. When the sensor's signal is missing, out of range, or the circuit is open/shorted, P0325 sets. With knock detection compromised, the computer may run more conservative timing, causing reduced power and slightly lower fuel economy, and the engine is less protected against damaging knock. On Kia specifically, this code is documented across 2 models.
What causes P0325 on Kia vehicles?▼
Common causes on Kia: Failed knock sensor, Corroded or loose knock sensor connector, Damaged, open, or shorted sensor wiring, Improperly torqued or loosely mounted sensor, Moisture or corrosion in the connector. Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P0325 on a Kia?▼
Repair costs vary widely depending on the root cause and specific Kia model.
Which Kia models have P0325 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P0325 on 2 Kia models: K5, Sorento.