Air intakeGeneric OBD-II codeUrgency: Monitor
Code P0096: intake air temperature sensor 2
P0096 means: intake air temperature sensor 2 (IAT 2) circuit: out of range or performance.[1][2] The ECU has seen in the signal of the second intake air temperature sensor a larger change than normal in less time than expected, or an inconsistent value. This second sensor (IAT 2) measures the temperature of the air entering the engine, for example after the intercooler.[1][3]
What code P0096 means
The ECU has seen in the signal of the second intake air temperature sensor a larger change than normal in less time than expected, or an inconsistent value. This second sensor (IAT 2) measures the temperature of the air entering the engine, for example after the intercooler.[1][3]
In the sensor, resistance is high with cold air and low with hot air, and the ECU reads that variation against a 5 V reference. If the voltage goes outside what is expected, it logs the code: P0097 when it is too low and P0098 when it is too high.[1][2][3]
Original definition (SAE J2012): Intake Air Temperature Sensor 2 Circuit Range/Performance[1][2]
Codes from the same family
They indicate the same problem in a specific cylinder, bank or sensor. Causes, symptoms and diagnosis are those on this page.
- P0096Intake air temperature sensor 2 (IAT 2) circuit: out of range or performance.
- P0097Intake air temperature sensor 2 circuit: low voltage (signal below what is expected, like a short to earth).[2]
- P0098Intake air temperature sensor 2 circuit: high voltage (signal above what is expected, like an open circuit or a short to positive).[2][3]
Causes of P0096 and its family
From most to least likely, according to the sources.
Symptoms
- Engine warning light on.[1][3]Engine warning light: faults that cause it
- Loss of power and poorer throttle response.[1][3]Less power: faults that cause it
- Higher fuel consumption.[1][3]Uses more fuel: faults that cause it
How to diagnose P0096
In order: from the most likely and cheapest to check to the most expensive.
- 1Use the diagnostic tool to read the IAT 2 sensor value: with a cold engine after a night standing, it should be similar to that of the coolant temperature sensor.[2]
- 2Check the sensor connector and wiring: terminals, corrosion, bare or cut wires.[1][2][3]
- 3Check the earth and 5 V reference and that the signal is not shorted to earth or to positive, following the manufacturer's procedure.[2]
- 4Check the intake duct and the air mass meter for damage or blockages.[3]
- 5Replace the sensor if the wiring is fine, and leave the ECU as a last resort.[1][2][3]
Can I keep driving with P0096?
Monitor
The sources associate it with the warning light on and, at times, loss of power and higher consumption; they also acknowledge that it may produce no noticeable symptoms. It should be checked, but it does not require stopping the car.[1][3]
Documented faults related to P0096
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 is the difference between P0096, P0097 and P0098?
All three concern the second intake air temperature sensor. P0096 indicates a signal that is out of range or performing poorly, P0097 a voltage that is too low and P0098 a voltage that is too high.[2][3]
Does P0096 mean the sensor is broken?
Not always. The sources also cite damaged wiring and connectors, the intake duct or, more rarely, the ECU; the circuit is checked before replacing the sensor.[1][3]
Can I drive with P0096?
Normally yes, with care: the symptoms described are the warning light and, at times, less power and more consumption, and there are cases with no symptoms. Even so, it should be checked.[1][3]
Will I pass the MOT with code P0096?
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.[4]
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 P0096 - Intake Air Temperature Sensor 2 Circuit Range/PerformancePartsAvatar · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
- DTC P0097 or P0098 (9-5 2011, 4-cyl diesel)SAAB Workshop Information System · Manufacturer · consulted 29 October 2026
- OBD Code P0098 - Intake Air Temperature Sensor 2 Circuit HighPartsAvatar · Other source · 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