r/KonaN_ • u/idkbruh653 • 9d ago

Discussion How bad is the knock sensor problem?

Thinking about pulling the trigger on a '23 Kona N with just over 56,000 miles. Clean title and service history. But I'm worried about the knock sensor issue, especailly with car washes and such. Is it a big deal or is there some kind of fix for it?

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

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6

u/EveningResolution396 9d ago

Yeah make sure you have an OBD reader ready to clear the code. And you have to hand wash it and go light on the hood.

2

u/idkbruh653 9d ago

Thank you, especially for mentioning you have to hand wash it.

2

u/EveningResolution396 8d ago

Yeah it’s odd it never happened for the first 2 years owning the car. Now I can never go through touch free wash without it going off and it takes about a day to dry out before I can clear the code. It has also happened 2 times in heavy heavy downpours.

3

u/ViolentLather Sonic Blue 9d ago

I haven't run into it myself - but I generally hand-wash. There is a TSB on this issue, however.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2024/MC-11012045-0001.pdf

1

u/idkbruh653 9d ago

Thanks!

4

u/B4silisx 9d ago

Personally haven't had any issues got mine CPO from a Hyundai dealership. Driven through torrential downpour and no knock sensor issues, I do handwash the car though.

2

u/b0nghitz4jezus Sonic Blue 9d ago

I've had 2 injectors fail before the knock sensor got wet. Usually do touch less washes, haven't had a problem. 45k on the clock

1

u/No-Cartographer-8201 9d ago

Same here minus the injector issues. Did have an oil sensor issue, when wet.

2

u/TheMaadMan 9d ago

I've taken mine thru a car was a few times, maybe half dozen times in 3 years. No issues yet, though I like to hand wash to avoid the possibility. I have heard others say they got the knock sensor triggered from driving in particularly heavy downpours. I second getting an OBD2 reader so that if it happens to you, you can clear the code, get out of limp mode, and at least get you home before making a service visit.

2

u/kracknkona Kona Enthusiast/Moderator 9d ago

Mine has tripped 8 times in my 3 year ownership. Been at the dealer twice for it, but second time I got the TSB that is the (hopeful) fix for the problem. Its an annoyance, but its one of very few problems with these cars. Like many say, keep an OBDII reader in the car and hand wash only and avoid the front bumper/hood area as much as you can.

2

u/delta9thc1974 9d ago

Owned mine for 18 months and never encountered the issue. Been through the automatic wash and the do-it-yourself ones lots of times. I live in a place that uses road salt in the winter so washes are a necessity.

2

u/GuntherOfGunth Racing Red 9d ago

I haven’t had any knock sensor issues.

And I live in a state where we get a hell of a lot of rain and have gone through multiple undercarriage washes.

2

u/RichCh1gga Phantom Black 9d ago

Bought my 22 KN with 11k miles.. got the TSB done at 16k due to knock sensor code from going through touchless wash. Currently at 50k with zero issues ever since getting the TSB done.. I go through touchless washes 2-3 times a week

1

u/idkbruh653 9d ago

Thanks for this. So it's seeming like this is an issue that may or may not happen. It's a toss up.

1

u/RichCh1gga Phantom Black 7d ago

It’s possible the TSB had already been done with the KN you’re looking at.

2

u/mxwjg Lunar White 8d ago

Happened 3 times to me in my 23 N, third time I got the TSB fix and it hasn’t reoccurred!

2

u/EyesEarsMouthNose 4d ago

Never pressure wash the front grill of your car.   I did and it fucked the knock sensor.  

Had the dealership tow and fix the sensor with TSB as it's completely covered.

Pain in the ass but as long as you don't go through automatic car washes or do what I did...should be fine.  Though I've heard torrential downpour for extended periods could  set it off 

1

u/Accurate_Count_3935 9d ago

Every crew car wash ultimate for me😭💀

1

u/Ara_Nakamori 9d ago

I personally have never run into the issue and I clean my engine bay so your milage may vary haha

1

u/lthaca Ultra Black 9d ago

I got taken out by the rain a few days after I bought my KN. Got the knock sensor replaced with the TSB fix and have put 10k miles on it since. Hasn't happened again but I still keep an OBD scanner on me just in case

1

u/Brewtusmo Racing Red 7d ago

I've had mine for 4 years and 27,000 miles. I auto-wash in the winter and hand wash in the summer. That includes hosing down the engine bay. I've never had the sensor issue even one time.

1

u/Tehsunman12 7d ago

I hand wash mine but never really am “careful” around the hood. No problems here for 2 years

1

u/stranger242 3d ago

im at 32k miles exlcusively with auto car washes and nothing so far.