Kia P132700
Piston Noise Detection Model Engine Production Date Range Soul (SK3) 2.0L Nu MPI (Atkinson) November 24, 2018 to October 24, 2020 Seltos (SP2) November 20, 2019 to October 15, 2020
Quick answer
P132700 is Kia’s piston-noise detection DTC for certain 2.0L Nu MPI (Atkinson) engines. For an affected 2020 US Kia Soul, Kia’s published service communication says that if P1327/P132700 remains after the ECM Logic Improvement under SC209A, the engine long block is to be replaced—but VIN eligibility must be verified first.
This page separates verified manufacturer/regulator evidence from supporting material. Unsupported causes, repairs or safety conclusions are not guessed.
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1. What does P132700 mean?
P132700 is Kia’s piston-noise detection DTC for certain 2.0L Nu MPI (Atkinson) engines. For an affected 2020 US Kia Soul, Kia’s published service communication says that if P1327/P132700 remains after the ECM Logic Improvement under SC209A, the engine long block is to be replaced—but VIN eligibility must be verified first.
2. Technical explanation
The verified Kia/NHTSA communication identifies P1327/P132700 as “Piston Noise Detection” for specified engine-production ranges. It is associated with the 2.0L Nu MPI (Atkinson) engine production range listed for Soul (SK3): November 24, 2018 through October 24, 2020. The source is titled “ECM Logic Improvement for Piston Ring Noise Sensing System.” It states that when P1327 is present after the SC209A ECM Logic Improvement has been completed, the bulletin procedure directs replacement of the engine long block, subject to affected-VIN verification.
3. What system is affected?
Engine / piston-ring noise sensing system and ECM logic. This is not established by the supplied evidence as an EV high-voltage or charging-system fault.
4. How serious is this code?
Not yet established by verified evidence. The official service communication provides a conditional engine-long-block replacement path, so prompt dealer/service evaluation and VIN validation are appropriate.
5. Symptoms you may notice
- A stored DTC P1327/P132700 is the verified diagnostic condition. Additional driver-observable symptoms are not yet established by verified evidence.
6. Possible causes
- The supplied official communication associates this code with the piston-ring noise sensing system and ECM logic improvement campaign procedure.
- A specific mechanical root cause beyond the bulletin’s piston-ring noise sensing context is not yet established by verified evidence.
7. Can I still drive the vehicle?
Not yet established by verified evidence.
8. Can I charge the vehicle?
Not applicable to this engine diagnostic based on the supplied evidence. Charging safety or availability is not yet established by verified evidence.
9. What you can safely do
- Arrange evaluation by an authorized Kia service facility.
- Provide the stored code P132700 and ask the dealer to verify VIN inclusion in the affected-VIN list referenced by the Kia communication.
- Ask whether SC209A ECM Logic Improvement has already been performed.
- Do not attempt engine long-block replacement or other engine repairs yourself.
10. Step-by-step troubleshooting
- Confirm that the stored code is P1327/P132700.
- Have Kia verify the vehicle VIN against the affected-VIN list.
- Have service determine whether the SC209A ECM Logic Improvement has been performed.
- If P1327/P132700 is present after the SC209A ECM Logic Improvement, follow the official bulletin path for engine long-block replacement.
11. When to contact service
Contact an authorized Kia dealer or qualified Kia service facility. The source directs technicians to verify affected-VIN status and warranty coverage through Kia WebDCS before performing the bulletin procedure.
12. What the service center may check
- Verify affected-VIN inclusion.
- Verify warranty coverage using the Kia WebDCS Warranty Coverage/Validation Inquiry process referenced in the communication.
- Determine whether SC209A ECM Logic Improvement was completed.
- Confirm whether P1327/P132700 remains present after the ECM logic improvement.
- If the code remains after SC209A, follow the bulletin instruction to replace the engine long block.
13. Possible repair or resolution
- For an affected VIN with P1327/P132700 present after SC209A ECM Logic Improvement, the verified bulletin directs engine long-block replacement.
- Eligibility, coverage, and exact repair applicability require VIN validation.
14. Affected vehicles
- Kia Soul · 2020 · US
15. Related TSBs / service bulletins
- NHTSA Manufacturer Communication 10210219, published April 7, 2022: “ECM Logic Improvement for Piston Ring Noise Sensing System” (SC209Y_TSB_R1). It states that if P1327 is present after ECM Logic Improvement under SC209A, replace the engine long block after verifying the vehicle is included in the affected-VIN list.
- Source: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/MC-10210219-0001.pdf
16. Recall information
- No recall is established by the supplied verified evidence.
17. Official manufacturer information
Verified applicability supplied: Kia Soul, model year 2020, US market. The diagnostic title also lists Soul (SK3) 2.0L Nu MPI (Atkinson) engine production dates from November 24, 2018 to October 24, 2020. VIN-specific eligibility must be confirmed by Kia.
19. Frequently asked questions
What does Kia code P132700 mean?
The verified communication describes P1327/P132700 as “Piston Noise Detection” for specified 2.0L Nu MPI (Atkinson) engine production ranges.
Does P132700 require an engine replacement?
The Kia communication directs engine long-block replacement only when P1327 is present after the SC209A ECM Logic Improvement and the VIN is verified as affected.
Is a 2020 Kia Soul included?
The supplied applicability data lists the 2020 Kia Soul in the US. Final eligibility requires affected-VIN verification by Kia.
Is this an EV battery or charging fault?
No such connection is established by the supplied evidence. The communication concerns engine piston-ring noise sensing system and ECM logic.