The Lemon IndexOn Hyundai and Kia engines, the knock sensor detection system picked up vibration that can point to wearing connecting rod bearings. Full P1326 page
90 owner complaints · the #1 code Hyundai Sonata owners name · 29% of Hyundai Sonata complaints that name a code (every car: 2.6%)
Middle of 96,000 miles · most between 64,000 and 122,000 (18 owners gave it)
Hyundai Sonata owners named P1326 in 90 complaints to the U.S. government (NHTSA), most often on the 2016, 2015 and 2017 model years, at a middle of 96,000 miles. The part they name most is the knock sensor (19 complaints). Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Hyundai Sonata model years that report P1326
Owner complaints naming P1326, by model year. Raw counts: years that sold more get more complaints, so this is each model year's record, not a failure rate.
Mileage when it happened
96,000 miles is the middle of what 18 owners entered. Half were between 64,000 and 122,000 miles.
The mileage on the complaint form, when the owner gave one.
What owners say caused it or fixed it
The most-named part is the knock sensor, in 19 of the 90 complaints (21%). 15 of those mention it being replaced or repaired, and 6 say the problem came back afterwards. Next: engine software (a reflash) (12), engine (replaced or rebuilt) (10) and spark plugs (6).
- Knock sensor19 complaints15 mention a repair or replacement, 6 of them say the problem came back
- Software update (reflash)12 complaints12 mention a repair or replacement, 4 of them say the problem came back
- Engine replaced or rebuilt10 complaints10 mention a repair or replacement, 1 of them says the problem came back · what Hyundai Sonata owners paid
- Spark plugs6 complaints6 mention a repair or replacement, 2 of them say the problem came back · what Hyundai Sonata owners paid
- Wiring or a connector5 complaints5 mention a repair or replacement, 1 of them says the problem came back
- Engine computer (ECM / PCM)4 complaints2 mention a repair or replacement, 1 of them says the problem came back · what owners paid
- Ignition coils3 complaints3 mention a repair or replacement, 1 of them says the problem came back · what owners paid
38 complaints mention a recall and 22 mention a warranty.
Counted from the owners' own words: a part counts when a sentence names it with a cause or repair word. What owners wrote, not a diagnosis. A shop should confirm the cause before replacing parts.
Symptoms owners describe with P1326
64% of these complaints say the check engine light came on. 6% say the Hyundai Sonata had to be towed.
- Rattles or knocks54%49 of 90 complaints
- Loses power or goes into limp mode44%40 of 90 complaints
- Flashing check engine light31%28 of 90 complaints
- Stalls or shuts off22%20 of 90 complaints
- Uses or leaks oil13%12 of 90 complaints
- Shakes, runs rough or misfires9%8 of 90 complaints
Share of the complaints naming P1326 whose text also describes each problem. A complaint can describe more than one.
Codes owners report with it
U0293 5 U1004 5 P0302 2 P0014 2
Other codes named in the same Hyundai Sonata complaints, and in how many.
Repair costs
- Engine replacement$6,785, $8,0002 bills
- ECM (engine computer) replacement$1751 bill
- EGR valve replacement$2,1101 bill
- Spark plug replacement$5321 bill
Repair bills owners named in these 90 complaints (5 in all). Owner reports, not a quote: costs vary by shop and region.
Recalls on these Hyundai Sonata years
- Engine · 2016 · issued 2020
The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage. NHTSA 20V746000 - Engine · 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 · issued 2018
The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, allowing fuel to leak from the pipe. NHTSA 18V934000 - Engine · 2013, 2014 · issued 2017
Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine. NHTSA 17V226000 - Engine · 2011, 2012 · issued 2015
In the affected vehicles, metallic debris may not have been fully removed during manufacturing of the engine crankshaft. NHTSA 15V568000
4 recalls for the same systems (engine) on the Hyundai Sonata model years above. A recall for the same system isn't proof it's behind P1326. Recall work is free at any dealer: check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with our VIN check.
Keep going
- P1326: meaning, causes and every car that reports it
- Hyundai Sonata reliability by year
- 2016 Hyundai Sonata problems and recalls
Other codes Hyundai Sonata owners report
P1326 on other cars
Kia Optima (92) · Hyundai Tucson (53) · Hyundai Santa Fe (52) · Kia Soul (38) · Kia Sorento (31) · Kia Sportage (22) · Kia Forte (10)
The details
How we count
We read every owner complaint in the NHTSA file whose text names this trouble code, and count the ones filed about this model (matched by the make, model and model year on the complaint). Mileage is what the owner entered on the form.
Parts: a complaint counts for a part when one of the owner's own sentences names that part together with a cause word (failed, bad, diagnosed, caused by, leaking ...) or a repair word (replaced, repaired, new, reprogrammed ...). "Came back" means the same complaint also says the problem returned or the repair didn't fix it. These are counts of what owners wrote, not a diagnosis, and one complaint can name several parts.
Complaints are reports, not proof of a defect, and most owners never file one. Popular models get more complaints, so the counts are not a failure rate. The code meaning is the standard SAE J2012 definition in our own words, or the carmaker's meaning where we verified it for that make.
What P1326 means
On Hyundai and Kia engines, the knock sensor detection system picked up vibration that can point to wearing connecting rod bearings. The car may go into limp mode. Owners are usually told to see a dealer, because this system was added during the brands' engine bearing campaigns.
Stop and fix now. Don't put it off. This can affect safety, stall the car or cause expensive damage.
- Early connecting rod bearing wear
- Faulty knock sensor or wiring
- Software (KSDS update)
Check the complaints yourself
NHTSA complaint numbers (search them at nhtsa.gov): 11771540, 11769189, 11768862, 11766963, 11763290, 11759428, 11751813, 11750679, 11749029, 11747509, 11741142, 11740786 and 78 more.
Quick answers
What does P1326 mean on a Hyundai Sonata?
Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). On Hyundai and Kia engines, the knock sensor detection system picked up vibration that can point to wearing connecting rod bearings. The car may go into limp mode. Owners are usually told to see a dealer, because this system was added during the brands' engine bearing campaigns.
Which Hyundai Sonata years have the most P1326 complaints?
In complaints to NHTSA, owners of the 2016 (20), 2015 (17), 2017 (12) Hyundai Sonata named P1326 most (90 complaints in all, 2011–2019). Raw counts, not a failure rate.
What fixes P1326 on a Hyundai Sonata?
Owners most often name the knock sensor (19 of 90 complaints), then engine software (a reflash) and engine (replaced or rebuilt). That's what owners wrote, not a diagnosis: have a shop confirm the cause with a scan and tests before replacing parts.
At what mileage does P1326 show up on a Hyundai Sonata?
Owners who gave their mileage reported a middle of 96,000 miles; half were between 64,000 and 122,000 (18 owners).
Can I drive my Hyundai Sonata with P1326?
Stop and fix now. Don't put it off. This can affect safety, stall the car or cause expensive damage.
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints that name P1326 on the Hyundai Sonata, counted by The Lemon Index; NHTSA recalls; repair bills owners named. Meanings: SAE J2012 in our own words. Owner reports, not a diagnosis or repair advice for your car.