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
31 owner complaints · the #1 code Kia Sorento owners name · 22% of Kia Sorento complaints that name a code (every car: 2.6%)
Middle of 99,000 miles · most between 64,000 and 120,000 (10 owners gave it)
Kia Sorento owners named P1326 in 31 complaints to the U.S. government (NHTSA), most often on the 2013, 2018 and 2017 model years, at a middle of 99,000 miles. The part they name most is the engine (replaced or rebuilt) (8 complaints). Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Kia Sorento 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
99,000 miles is the middle of what 10 owners entered. Half were between 64,000 and 120,000 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 engine (replaced or rebuilt), in 8 of the 31 complaints (26%). 8 of those mention it being replaced or repaired, and 3 say the problem came back afterwards. Next: engine software (a reflash) (5) and knock sensor (4).
- Engine replaced or rebuilt8 complaints8 mention a repair or replacement, 3 of them say the problem came back · what Kia Sorento owners paid
- Software update (reflash)5 complaints5 mention a repair or replacement, 1 of them says the problem came back
- Knock sensor4 complaints3 mention a repair or replacement, 2 of them say the problem came back
10 complaints mention a recall and 9 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
68% of these complaints say the check engine light came on.
- Rattles or knocks84%26 of 31 complaints
- Flashing check engine light42%13 of 31 complaints
- Stalls or shuts off26%8 of 31 complaints
- Loses power or goes into limp mode26%8 of 31 complaints
- Shakes, runs rough or misfires16%5 of 31 complaints
- Uses or leaks oil13%4 of 31 complaints
Share of the complaints naming P1326 whose text also describes each problem. A complaint can describe more than one.
Repair costs
Kia Sorento engine replacement cost
Recalls on these Kia Sorento years
- Engine · 2011 · issued 2023
An engine compartment fire can occur while driving. NHTSA 23V877000 - Engine · 2012, 2013 · issued 2020
An engine compartment fire can occur while driving. NHTSA 20V750000 - Engine · 2017 · issued 2017
The engine crankshaft may have been improperly heat treated and may fail. NHTSA 17V586000 - Engine · 2012, 2013, 2014 · issued 2017
Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine. NHTSA 17V224000
4 recalls for the same systems (engine) on the Kia Sorento 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 Sorento reliability by year
- 2013 Kia Sorento problems and recalls
Other codes Kia Sorento owners report
P1326 on other cars
Kia Optima (92) · Hyundai Sonata (90) · Hyundai Tucson (53) · Hyundai Santa Fe (52) · Kia Soul (38) · 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): 11770419, 11769090, 11754083, 11753810, 11742106, 11738988, 11735920, 11715656, 11702334, 11679558, 11670873, 11667035 and 19 more.
Quick answers
What does P1326 mean on a Kia Sorento?
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 Sorento years have the most P1326 complaints?
In complaints to NHTSA, owners of the 2013 (6), 2018 (5), 2017 (5) Kia Sorento named P1326 most (31 complaints in all, 2011–2019). Raw counts, not a failure rate.
What fixes P1326 on a Kia Sorento?
Owners most often name the engine (replaced or rebuilt) (8 of 31 complaints), then engine software (a reflash) and knock sensor. 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 Kia Sorento?
Owners who gave their mileage reported a middle of 99,000 miles; half were between 64,000 and 120,000 (10 owners).
Can I drive my Kia Sorento 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 Sorento, 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.