P1327 on Kia: How to Diagnose & Fix
Cylinder 3 Knock Control Limit Attained
2 Kia models · 3 documented issues · 3 critical
P1327 on Kia by model: symptoms, diagnosis and fix
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.
Common Symptoms
- Increased oil consumption
- Abnormal engine noise
- Oil-pressure warning light
- Loss of drive power
How to Fix
Check the VIN for recall 25V099000. A Kia dealer inspects the engine, replaces it when necessary and installs PNSS software free of charge. If PNSS later sets P1327, the engine is replaced under the campaign. Kia's owner notice says that abnormal engine noise, the oil-pressure warning light or loss of drive power requires pulling over safely, not driving the vehicle and requesting a tow to a Kia dealer.
Sources for this issue (4)
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.
Common Symptoms
- Abnormal engine noise
- Oil-pressure warning light
- Loss of drive power
- Ongoing symptoms or inconsistent inspection results after recall service
How to Fix
Check the VIN and arrange recall 25V099/SC336 service. If abnormal engine noise, the oil-pressure warning light or loss of drive power occurs, Kia's owner notice says to pull over safely, not drive and request towing to an authorized Kia dealer. If symptoms continue after service, inspection results conflict or the free remedy is unavailable, document the visits, contact Kia Customer Care and submit a complaint to NHTSA. The reviewed official documents do not direct every owner to park outside or make a lemon-law eligibility determination.
Sources for this issue (3)
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.
Common Symptoms
- Increasing oil consumption
- Abnormal engine noise or P1327
- Oil-pressure warning light
How to Fix
Check the VIN for SC209 or the current Kia PNSS program and monitor the oil level using the owner-manual procedure. A Kia dealer uses the VIN-driven KDS inspection; eligible recall vehicles receive inspection, PNSS software and engine replacement when necessary. Do not promise a one-quart-per-1,000-mile threshold, apply recall coverage to every 2022-2023 Soul, infer P0420/P0171/P0174 or buy oil and filters as a remedy for damaged rings.
Sources for this issue (2)
P1327 code reference
General diagnostic-code context. The code alone does not confirm a cause for your vehicle; use the applicable issue card and its sources.
Frequently asked questions
What does P1327 mean on a 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 it is documented across 2 models: Seltos, Soul.
What are the most common causes of P1327?
The most common causes of P1327 are: 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. The specific cause varies by vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix P1327 on a Kia?
Repair costs vary widely with the root cause and Kia model; each issue on this page carries its own estimate where one is published.
Looking for P1327 on a different make?
View P1327 across all makes →Content compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, and owner reports. May contain errors. Always verify with your vehicle's service manual.