P0327 on Kia
Knock Sensor 1 Circuit Low Input (Bank 1)
P0327 on Kia vehicles indicates knock sensor 1 circuit low input (bank 1). Au7o has documented this code across 2 Kia models — most commonly on K5, Sorento. This code means the knock sensor on engine bank 1 sent a voltage signal that was lower than the expected range. The knock sensor is a small vibration microphone bolted to the engine block that listens for the 'pinging' of abnormal combustion (detonation), letting the computer retard ignition timing to protect the engine. A low-input reading usually points to an electrical problem — a fault in the sensor, its wiring, or connector — rather than actual knock. With the sensor compromised, the engine may run with safer, less efficient timing, causing slightly reduced power or fuel economy.
Common Causes of P0327
- •Faulty knock sensor (Bank 1, Sensor 1)
- •Damaged, shorted-to-ground, or corroded sensor wiring
- •Loose or corroded sensor connector
- •Improperly torqued/loose sensor mounting
- •Open or high-resistance signal circuit
- •Wiring shielding or grounding problem
- •Faulty engine control module (PCM) — rare
P0327 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 P0327 on a different make?
View P0327 across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does P0327 mean on Kia?▼
P0327 stands for "Knock Sensor 1 Circuit Low Input (Bank 1)." This code means the knock sensor on engine bank 1 sent a voltage signal that was lower than the expected range. The knock sensor is a small vibration microphone bolted to the engine block that listens for the 'pinging' of abnormal combustion (detonation), letting the computer retard ignition timing to protect the engine. A low-input reading usually points to an electrical problem — a fault in the sensor, its wiring, or connector — rather than actual knock. With the sensor compromised, the engine may run with safer, less efficient timing, causing slightly reduced power or fuel economy. On Kia specifically, this code is documented across 2 models.
What causes P0327 on Kia vehicles?▼
Common causes on Kia: Faulty knock sensor (Bank 1, Sensor 1), Damaged, shorted-to-ground, or corroded sensor wiring, Loose or corroded sensor connector, Improperly torqued/loose sensor mounting, Open or high-resistance signal circuit. Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P0327 on a Kia?▼
Repair costs vary widely depending on the root cause and specific Kia model.
Which Kia models have P0327 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P0327 on 2 Kia models: K5, Sorento.