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
22 owner complaints · the #1 code Kia Sportage owners name · 41% of Kia Sportage complaints that name a code (every car: 2.6%)
2012–2021 Kia Sportage · most: 2018 (6), 2020 (4), 2017 (4)
Kia Sportage owners named P1326 in 22 complaints to the U.S. government (NHTSA), most often on the 2018, 2020 and 2017 model years. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Kia Sportage 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.
Symptoms owners describe with P1326
68% of these complaints say the check engine light came on.
- Rattles or knocks68%15 of 22 complaints
- Loses power or goes into limp mode36%8 of 22 complaints
- Flashing check engine light27%6 of 22 complaints
- Stalls or shuts off23%5 of 22 complaints
- Uses or leaks oil9%2 of 22 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
P0014 2
Other codes named in the same Kia Sportage complaints, and in how many.
Recalls on these Kia Sportage years
- Engine · 2012 · issued 2020
An engine compartment fire can occur while driving. NHTSA 20V750000 - Engine · 2012 · issued 2019
The engine oil pan may leak and, if not addressed, the loss of oil may result in engine damage. NHTSA 19V101000 - Engine · 2012, 2013 · issued 2017
Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine. NHTSA 17V224000
3 recalls for the same systems (engine) on the Kia Sportage 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 Sportage reliability by year
- 2018 Kia Sportage 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 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): 11777585, 11775433, 11770932, 11767666, 11757330, 11752678, 11733282, 11704954, 11702785, 11695866, 11693750, 11677970 and 10 more.
Quick answers
What does P1326 mean on a Kia Sportage?
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 Sportage years have the most P1326 complaints?
In complaints to NHTSA, owners of the 2018 (6), 2020 (4), 2017 (4) Kia Sportage named P1326 most (22 complaints in all, 2012–2021). Raw counts, not a failure rate.
Can I drive my Kia Sportage 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 Sportage, 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.