Air intakeGeneric OBD-II codeUrgency: Monitor
Code P0068: MAP/MAF and throttle correlation
P0068 means: correlation between the manifold pressure sensor (MAP) or the air mass meter (MAF) and the throttle position: the signals do not agree with each other.[1][2] The ECU compares what the air mass meter (MAF) or the manifold pressure sensor (MAP) measures with the throttle position. If the three signals are not consistent with one another for a set time, it logs the code. It is an inconsistency between signals and does not by itself indicate which sensor is failing.[1]
What code P0068 means
The ECU compares what the air mass meter (MAF) or the manifold pressure sensor (MAP) measures with the throttle position. If the three signals are not consistent with one another for a set time, it logs the code. It is an inconsistency between signals and does not by itself indicate which sensor is failing.[1]
On Volkswagen-Audi group engines, the VCDS diagnostic tool describes it with the same causes: faulty air mass meter or MAP sensor, dirty or faulty throttle and unmetered air leaks.[2]
Original definition (SAE J2012): MAP/MAF - Throttle Position Correlation[1][2]
Causes of P0068
From most to least likely, according to the sources.
- 1Vacuum leaks or unmetered air in the intake manifold, the hoses or the throttle.[1][2]
- 2Throttle (electronic throttle body) that is dirty, with carbon deposits, or faulty.[1][2]
- 3Faulty air mass meter (MAF) or manifold pressure sensor (MAP).[1][2]
- 4Faulty or badly fitted throttle position sensor.[1]
- 5Sensor wiring or connectors damaged or with a poor contact.[1]
- 6Dirty air filter or blockages in the intake duct or in the hose running from the manifold to the MAP sensor.[1]
- 7ECU fault: this is rare and should only be suspected when everything else is fine.[1]
Symptoms
- Engine warning light on; on some cars it is the only symptom.[1][2]Engine warning light: faults that cause it
- Loss of power and uneven throttle response.[1]Less power: faults that cause it
- Increased fuel consumption.[1]Uses more fuel: faults that cause it
- Hesitation or jerking when accelerating and uneven idle; in serious cases the engine may stall.[1]Jerking: faults that cause it
How to diagnose P0068
In order: from the most likely and cheapest to check to the most expensive.
- 1Visually inspect the wiring and connectors of the MAF, MAP and throttle: broken wires, bent terminals or corrosion.[1]
- 2Check the air filter and the intake duct between the air mass meter and the throttle, and the manifold vacuum hoses, for cracks, looseness or leaks.[1][2]
- 3Clean the throttle if it has carbon deposits and, on VW-Audi, carry out the throttle basic setting after cleaning it.[1][2]
- 4Use the diagnostic tool to check that the MAF, MAP and throttle position give values consistent with one another.[1][2]
- 5Replace a sensor only if the tests point to it: replacing sensors without testing them, or changing the ECU without ruling out everything else, are common diagnostic mistakes.[1]
Can I keep driving with P0068?
Monitor
The sources do not call for an immediate stop: the usual symptom is the warning light on, sometimes with a loss of power or higher consumption. It should be checked soon, because a badly calculated mixture can worsen consumption and the way the engine runs.[1][2]
Documented faults related to P0068
Known faults of specific engines and cars, with their repair cost, the affected years and their sources.
Engine sensors: the most serious faults by engine and car
- High severityFrequency: Occasional2.0 DTI and 2.2 DTIVP44 injection pump and air mass meter failureGerman Wikipedia documents recurring failures of the Bosch VP44 injection pump and the air mass meter in the early years of this engine. An owner testimony for this engine describes the pump being replaced at 192,500 km, at a cost the owner calls «prohibitive».
- Medium severityFrequency: Common2.0 TDIClogged particulate filter or faulty pressure sensorThe 2.0 TDI's particulate filter clogs if the car mostly makes short journeys, because it never gets to regenerate; sometimes the fault is just the differential pressure sensor. Cleaning it costs around €200 and replacing it, €800 to €3,000.Repair (garage): €800–€3,000
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.4 and 1.6 8vCrankshaft position sensor failure (TDC sensor)The crankshaft position sensor (capteur PMH, or TDC sensor) appears repeatedly in the reliability sources for the Clio II, the Kangoo I and the Dacia Logan I with this engine, with hard cold starting or stalling as the main symptoms. It is a cheap part, but the failure can leave you stranded.
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.4 and 1.6 16vCrankshaft position sensor failureThe crankshaft position sensor (capteur PMH) appears repeatedly in the reliability sources for almost every generation with this engine, with hard cold starting, stalling or the car cutting out unexpectedly. It is a cheap part, but the failure can leave you stranded.
Wiring, connectors and short circuits: the most serious faults by engine and car
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW N62 / N63Additional turbo coolant pump with a risk of short circuit and fireIn 2011 BMW recalled 5, 6 and 7 Series, X5 and X6 models built between 2007 and 2011 because of the additional turbo coolant pump: moisture, a short circuit and, in extreme cases, a fire. In 2012 there was another campaign for a crack in the pump, with a more robust version.
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.3 TCeBlown fuel pump fuseOn the Renault Captur II and Clio V with the 1.3 TCe engine, a 20-amp fuse can blow and leave the car without an engine. According to L'argus, in April 2021 this fault still had no factory fix; the official service centre's diagnosis includes checking, and sometimes replacing, the catalytic converter.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalM264/M254Poorly tightened 48 V earth wiring in the mild-hybrid system (fire risk)Mercedes-Benz has issued several recalls (2022-2025) because the 12 V and 48 V earth connections of some cars with a 48 V system may be poorly tightened: resistance rises, the connection heats up and a fire cannot be ruled out. The official workshop checks them and repairs them if necessary in an hour or more.
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.9 TDIUnit injector tappet wear and injector wiring damageOn the unit injector system, the tappets that operate the injectors can wear if the oil is not changed on time, and the injector wiring can be damaged by contact with oil, causing misfires or loss of power.
- Critical severityFrequency: CommonRover 75Seat SRS connector fault with airbag and seatbelt warning light onAuto Express warns that the Rover 75's seat SRS connector can cause the airbags to fail, and dealers were fixing it with revised connectors. The Dutch APK inspection puts the airbag or seatbelt fault warning among the most frequent defects across almost all series.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAlfa Romeo GiuliettaShort circuit from badly routed wiring that can prevent gear shifting (KBA campaign, 2010-2015)Yes: according to Germany's KBA, on Alfa Romeo Giulietta cars built between 2010 and 2015 inadequate cable routing could cause a short circuit and, as a result, gear-shift failure.
Frequently asked questions
What does code P0068 mean?
The ECU detects that the air mass meter or the manifold pressure sensor and the throttle position do not agree with each other. It is a correlation problem and can be down to a sensor, an air leak or a dirty throttle.[1][2]
Does the air mass meter need replacing if P0068 appears?
Not directly. The sources recommend first ruling out air leaks, a dirty throttle and wiring problems; replacing sensors without testing them is a common diagnostic mistake.[1][2]
Can I keep driving with P0068?
The sources do not mention an immediate risk, but there may be a loss of power, uneven idle and higher consumption. It is best to have it checked soon at a garage.[1]
Will I pass the MOT with code P0068?
If the code has switched on the engine warning light, no: with that light on, the inspection records a serious defect, and on Euro 5 and Euro 6 cars the ITV (Spain's roadworthiness inspection, similar to the MOT) also reads the OBD diagnostic system. Repair the fault before you go; clearing the code just before the inspection does not help either, because it counts as a serious defect.[3]
Not sure what is wrong with your car? Describe what you notice in the symptom diagnosis or see all fault codes.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- OBD Code P0068 - MAP/MAF - Throttle Position CorrelationPartsAvatar · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
- 16452/P0068/000104 - MAP/MAF <-> Throttle Position CorrelationRoss-Tech Wiki · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026
- Desmontando mitos: ¿puede pasar mi coche la ITV con el testigo de «avería motor» encendido?Diariomotor · Motoring press · published 8 March 2021 · consulted 2 October 2026 · in Spanish