P0327 Knock sensor 1 on bank 1 is sending a signal that is too low

Knock sensor circuit low (bank 1)

Severity not verified — if the car runs badly, have it inspected

TroubleCodes.net and the bulletins describe an electrical knock sensor fault, not an immediate hazard; no source rates driving risk, so the class is not set.

Source: how we rate severity

P0327 in short

P0327 means the engine computer sees the knock sensor 1 signal on bank 1 as too low. The usual causes are a failed sensor, wiring that is shorted, chafed or corroded, or a poor connector. The computer may pull ignition timing, so power can drop. Have it checked rather than ignoring it.

The knock sensor listens for engine pinging and the computer pulls ignition timing back when it hears it. P0327 means the sensor circuit voltage is lower than expected, as if the sensor or its wire were shorted.

TroubleCodes.net lists a failed sensor, a circuit fault and an incorrectly tightened or insecure sensor as causes. Ford and Kia bulletins show specific failures: chafed wiring near a connector on 2016-2017 Explorer 3.5L, and sensor replacement on 2009 Rio 1.6L.

Owners of 2.7L EcoBoost F-150s and a 2006 Silverado report the code, with coolant or water at the sensor mentioned. Those are owner statements, not confirmed causes.

Most likely causes

  1. Chafed, shorted or corroded wiring or connector at the knock sensor

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Ford TSB 18-2367 names a wire chafe near the knock sensor connector on 2016-2017 Explorer 3.5L. TroubleCodes.net lists wiring shorted to ground and poor connections.
    What would change this
    Rises if the harness is damaged or the connector is wet or corroded. Falls if the harness checks good.

  2. Failed knock sensor

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Kia TSB-056 says sensor replacement is the fix for P0326/P0327 on some 2009 Rio 1.6L. TroubleCodes.net lists a failed sensor first.
    What would change this
    Rises if the circuit tests good and the sensor reads out of range. Falls if wiring faults are found.
    How to test the knock sensor

  3. Coolant or water reaching the sensor or harness

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    A 2006 Silverado owner was told water corroded the sensor, and a 2022 F-150 owner asks about coolant leakage. These are owner statements only.
    What would change this
    Rises if the sensor or connector is wet or coolant residue is present. Falls if it is dry.

  4. Engine mechanical trouble listed alongside P0327

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    One 2010 Terrain owner lists P0327 with P0016 and P0017 and a timing chain repair. The text does not say one caused the other.
    What would change this
    Rises if cam timing codes are stored with it. Falls if P0327 is alone.

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

  1. Read all stored codes. Note whether P0325, P0326, P0332 or cam timing codes are stored with P0327.

    Low riskTool: OBD-II scan tool

    • IfP0327 is alone

      It meansLook at the sensor wiring.

      Go to step 2

    • IfOther knock or cam timing codes are stored

      It meansCheck the shared harness and the engine condition too.

      Go to step 2

  2. With the engine off and cool, look at the knock sensor connector and the harness nearby for chafing, wet or green connectors, or coolant or oil residue.

    Low risk

  3. Have a shop check the sensor circuit and sensor with a multimeter or scan tool against the maker specification.

    Best left to a shopTool: multimeter, scan tool

    Warning:On many V-engines the sensor is under the intake manifold, so reaching it means removing parts on or near the fuel system; leave it to a shop.

Symptoms

  • Check engine light
  • Reduced power or poor acceleration on some engines
  • Pinging or spark knock under load

How to fix

  1. Look over the connector and visible harness near the sensor for chafing or moisture.

  2. Ask a dealer whether your VIN has a knock sensor bulletin.

Parts and cost context

  • Knock sensor:Check wiring and connector before replacing the sensor. On some engines the sensor sits under the intake, which raises the labor. Labor varies; get a quote.

Labor varies by vehicle and shop; get a quote before you approve a repair.

Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuide

On your vehicle

Ford

  • 2016–2017 · Explorer

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ford TSB 18-2367 links P0327 on 3.5L EcoBoost builds up to 30 Sep 2016 to a wire chafe near the knock sensor connector. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 2020–2022 · F-150

    Supported by vehicle data

    Owners of 2020 and 2022 F-150s report P0327 and knock sensor replacement quotes; one asks about coolant leakage on the 2.7L EcoBoost. No bulletin is on file here.

  • TSB 18-2367Status unverified

    Explorer 3.5L EcoBoost: knock sensor codes

    2016–2017explorer · NHTSA 10153933

    A wire chafe condition near connector C109 can set P0325, P0327, P0330 and P0332.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Kia

  • TSB-056Status unverified

    Knock sensor replacement (1.6L)

    2009rio · NHTSA 10033670

    Replace the knock sensor when the 1.6L sets P0326 and/or P0327.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Chevrolet

  • 2005 · Uplander

    Supported by vehicle data

    GM bulletin 050604052 covers an inverted knock sensor with P0327 or P0332 on 2005 Uplander and related vans.

  • 050604052Status unverified

    Inverted knock sensor with P0327 or P0332

    2005uplander · NHTSA 10017383

    Information on an inverted knock sensor; the summary does not give the repair.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Volkswagen

  • TB011413Status unverified

    MIL on, P0327 knock sensor fault

    2014passat · NHTSA 10241316

    The NHTSA summary only gives the title.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • P0326Knock sensor 1 range/performance, bank 1: the knock sensor signal is outside what the engine computer expects

    Same system Supported by vehicle data

    P0326 is the range/performance code for the same sensor; Kia TSB-056 covers both on the 2009 Rio.

  • P0325Knock sensor 1 circuit fault (bank 1 or single sensor)

    Same system Supported by vehicle data

    P0325 is the knock sensor 1 circuit malfunction code; Ford TSB 18-2367 lists it with P0327.

  • P0332Knock sensor 2 circuit voltage low (bank 2)

    Other bank Supported by vehicle data

    P0332 is the bank 2 counterpart; GM and Ford bulletins list it with P0327.

All Ignition and engine position sensors codes

Sources and review

  1. Ford TSB 18-2367: 2016-2017 Explorer 3.5L EcoBoost, knock sensor codes — Ford Motor Company
  2. P0327 trouble code explanation — TroubleCodes.net
  3. Kia TSB-056: knock sensor replacement, 1.6L Alpha engine — Kia Motors America
  4. NHTSA complaint ODI 11543556 — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
  5. NHTSA complaint ODI 11760176 — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
  6. NHTSA complaint ODI 11440749 — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
  7. GM 050604052: inverted knock sensor, P0327 or P0332 — General Motors
  8. NHTSA complaint ODI 11631377 — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
  9. VW TB011413: 2014 Passat, P0327 knock sensor fault — Volkswagen of America
  10. On-Board Diagnostic Trouble Codes (generic code title list) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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