P1327 on Kia
Cylinder 3 Knock Control Limit Attained
P1327 on Kia vehicles indicates cylinder 3 knock control limit attained. Au7o has documented this code across 2 Kia models — most commonly on Seltos, Soul. An Audi/Volkswagen manufacturer-specific code. The engine control module retards ignition timing on cylinder 3 whenever the knock sensor hears detonation, and this code sets when it has pulled all the timing it is allowed to and the knocking continues. Sustained detonation can damage pistons and rod bearings, so it should not be ignored. Be aware that Hyundai/Kia use P1327 alongside P1326 as a Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) fault indicating possible connecting-rod bearing wear - a far more serious, limp-mode condition - and some other applications list P1327 as a knock sensor 2 circuit low input. The make changes both the meaning and the urgency.
Common Causes of P1327
- •Low-octane, contaminated, or wrong-grade fuel
- •Carbon buildup in the combustion chamber raising effective compression
- •Ignition or fuel fault on cylinder 3 (worn plug, weak coil, dirty injector)
- •Faulty or improperly torqued knock sensor
- •Damaged knock sensor shielding, wiring, or connector
- •Overheating or a cooling system problem
- •Lean condition on cylinder 3 from a vacuum leak
P1327 on Kia by Model
Kia Seltos(2 issues)
- Stalling and Fire Hazard on Unrepaired / Still-Symptomatic 2021-2023 2.0L Vehicles2021-2023
NHTSA opened Audit Query AQ25001 on August 6, 2025 to evaluate Kia's remedy for recall 25V099 after reviewing 47 complaints submitted from April 29 through June 27, 2025. Those complaints alleged an ineffective remedy, inconsistent engine-inspection results or unavailable remedies. The opening resume does not document 400-plus stalling complaints or four fires. Recall 25V099 itself says the piston-ring condition can cause increased oil consumption, abnormal engine noise or an oil-pressure warning and, if operation continues, engine seizure, loss of motive power or a limited fire risk.
- Piston Oil Ring Defect and Engine Damage2021-2023
NHTSA recall 25V099000 (Kia SC336) covers 53,635 certain 2021-2023 Seltos vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines and produced from July 2, 2020 through July 1, 2022. A supplier quality deviation can allow the piston oil ring to damage the cylinder wall, increasing oil consumption and eventually causing abnormal engine noise or an oil-pressure warning. Continued operation can lead to engine damage or seizure, loss of motive power and, in limited cases, fire if a hole in the engine block lets oil reach a hot exhaust component.
Kia Soul(1 issue)
- Piston Oil Ring Defect and Excessive Oil Consumption2020-2023
NHTSA recall 21V259000 (Kia SC209) covers certain 2020-2021 Soul vehicles with 2.0L Nu MPI engines whose piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated. Kia communication 11017169/SST082 indexes a later PNSS vibration-inspection process to certain 2020-2023 Soul vehicles and describes ring-related cylinder-wall damage, increased oil consumption, abnormal noise, oil-pressure warning and P1327. That later bulletin does not make every 2022-2023 vehicle part of recall 21V259.
Looking for P1327 on a different make?
View P1327 across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does P1327 mean on Kia?▼
P1327 stands for "Cylinder 3 Knock Control Limit Attained." An Audi/Volkswagen manufacturer-specific code. The engine control module retards ignition timing on cylinder 3 whenever the knock sensor hears detonation, and this code sets when it has pulled all the timing it is allowed to and the knocking continues. Sustained detonation can damage pistons and rod bearings, so it should not be ignored. Be aware that Hyundai/Kia use P1327 alongside P1326 as a Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) fault indicating possible connecting-rod bearing wear - a far more serious, limp-mode condition - and some other applications list P1327 as a knock sensor 2 circuit low input. The make changes both the meaning and the urgency. On Kia specifically, this code is documented across 2 models.
What causes P1327 on Kia vehicles?▼
Common causes on Kia: Low-octane, contaminated, or wrong-grade fuel, Carbon buildup in the combustion chamber raising effective compression, Ignition or fuel fault on cylinder 3 (worn plug, weak coil, dirty injector), Faulty or improperly torqued knock sensor, Damaged knock sensor shielding, wiring, or connector. Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P1327 on a Kia?▼
Repair costs vary widely depending on the root cause and specific Kia model.
Which Kia models have P1327 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P1327 on 2 Kia models: Seltos, Soul.