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
10 owner complaints · the #1 code Kia Forte owners name · 25% of Kia Forte complaints that name a code (every car: 2.6%)
2012–2017 Kia Forte · most: 2014 (5), 2016 (2), 2017 (1)
Kia Forte owners named P1326 in 10 complaints to the U.S. government (NHTSA), most often on the 2014, 2016 and 2017 model years. The part they name most is the engine (replaced or rebuilt) (3 complaints). Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Kia Forte 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.
What owners say caused it or fixed it
The most-named part is the engine (replaced or rebuilt), in 3 of the 10 complaints (30%). 3 of those mention it being replaced or repaired. Next: knock sensor (2).
- Engine replaced or rebuilt3 complaints3 mention a repair or replacement · what Kia Forte owners paid
- Knock sensor2 complaints2 mention a repair or replacement
5 complaints mention a recall and 3 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
80% of these complaints say the check engine light came on.
- Loses power or goes into limp mode60%6 of 10 complaints
- Rattles or knocks60%6 of 10 complaints
- Flashing check engine light20%2 of 10 complaints
- Stalls or shuts off20%2 of 10 complaints
Share of the complaints naming P1326 whose text also describes each problem. A complaint can describe more than one.
Repair costs
Kia Forte engine replacement cost
Recalls on these Kia Forte years
- Engine · 2017 · issued 2021
Foreign particles may stick inside the oil pump, which may cause an oil pump failure and engine damage. NHTSA 21V260000 - Engine · 2012, 2014, 2015 · issued 2020
An engine compartment fire can occur while driving. NHTSA 20V750000
2 recalls for the same systems (engine) on the Kia Forte 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
- Kia Forte reliability by year
- 2014 Kia Forte problems and recalls
P1326 on other cars
Kia Optima (92) · Hyundai Sonata (90) · Hyundai Tucson (53) · Hyundai Santa Fe (52) · Kia Soul (38) · Kia Sorento (31) · Kia Sportage (22)
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): 11697284, 11677520, 11660151, 11658619, 11633572, 11606182, 11578190, 11464764, 11455417, 11405496.
Quick answers
What does P1326 mean on a Kia Forte?
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 Kia Forte years have the most P1326 complaints?
In complaints to NHTSA, owners of the 2014 (5), 2016 (2), 2017 (1) Kia Forte named P1326 most (10 complaints in all, 2012–2017). Raw counts, not a failure rate.
What fixes P1326 on a Kia Forte?
Owners most often name the engine (replaced or rebuilt) (3 of 10 complaints), then knock sensor. That's what owners wrote, not a diagnosis: have a shop confirm the cause with a scan and tests before replacing parts.
Can I drive my Kia Forte 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 Kia Forte, 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.