Air intakeGeneric OBD-II codeUrgency: Garage soon
Code P0106: MAP sensor (manifold pressure): signal out of range
P0106 means: manifold absolute pressure or barometric pressure sensor circuit: range or performance problem (the signal is outside the expected range).[1][2][3] The engine control unit has detected that the signal from the MAP sensor, which measures the air pressure in the intake manifold, or, depending on the car, from the barometric pressure sensor, is not consistent: it is outside the expected range or does not react as it should to what the engine is doing. Autodoc Club describes it as a sensor value that changes too abruptly without any change in engine speed; Samarins, as readings that are out of range or do not respond properly to pressure changes; and Ross-Tech, on VW group cars, as an implausible sensor signal.[1][2][4]
What code P0106 means
The engine control unit has detected that the signal from the MAP sensor, which measures the air pressure in the intake manifold, or, depending on the car, from the barometric pressure sensor, is not consistent: it is outside the expected range or does not react as it should to what the engine is doing. Autodoc Club describes it as a sensor value that changes too abruptly without any change in engine speed; Samarins, as readings that are out of range or do not respond properly to pressure changes; and Ross-Tech, on VW group cars, as an implausible sensor signal.[1][2][4]
Unlike the P0105, which is the general code for the sensor circuit, here it is the measured value that does not add up, and so the origin does not have to be in the sensor. Saab's manual for the 9-3 with Trionic 5 associates it with a vacuum hose leak or a faulty sensor; CarWiki says that in most cases the problem is in the intake section; and Samarins and Mechanic Base add other causes, such as the EGR.[2][5][6][7]
In Saab's manual for a 2001 9-3, the control unit compares the sensor with atmospheric pressure with the car stationary and sets the code if it differs by more than 15 kPa; it also sets it if, with the engine above 1,300 rpm and the throttle fully released, the reading exceeds 50 kPa. When it sets, it blocks purging, the fuel calculation correction based on air mass and the boost pressure adaptation.[8]
It is a generic OBD-II code (it starts with P0), not specific to one make, so its definition is the same on any car; what changes from one engine to another is the most likely cause.[9]
Original definition (SAE J2012): Manifold Absolute Pressure/Barometric Pressure Circuit Range/Performance Problem[1][2][3]
Causes of P0106
From most to least likely, according to the sources.
- 1Air or vacuum leaks in the intake: cracked intake hose, faulty clamps, blocked or leaking sensor vacuum hose, or any false air entry (CarWiki also mentions the manifold, the intake flaps and their regulation). Ross-Tech also cites the PCV system, the dipstick tube and the plastic brake servo lines.[1][2][4][5][6][7][8]
- 2Faulty MAP (or barometric pressure) sensor.[1][2][4][5][6][7][8]
- 3Sensor wiring, connector or supply in poor condition: open or short-circuited wires, and water or dirt in the sensor.[1][2][4][7]
- 4Exhaust leaks or restrictions, for example a blocked catalytic converter.[2][4]
- 5EGR system fault: Mechanic Base considers it unlikely, but possible.[2][7]
- 6Dirty throttle body, faulty MAF sensor or PCV system, or mechanical engine problems: these are other causes cited by Samarins.[2]
- 7Faulty engine control unit or out-of-date software; Ross-Tech mentions firmware faults on small engines.[1][2][4][7]
- 8Causes cited by Ross-Tech for some VW group engines: a wrong sensor (on some 2.5 petrol engines, the MAP sensor and the secondary air injection sensor have the same shape and can be mixed up when fitting them) and known problems with the timing chain tensioners.[4]
Symptoms
- Engine warning light on in the instrument cluster.[1][5][7][8]Engine warning light: faults that cause it
- Unstable or rough idle, sometimes with the revs too high or too low.[1][2][4][7]Vibrations: faults that cause it
- Loss of power.[1][2][6]Less power: faults that cause it
- Jerking, misfires or pinking when accelerating.[1][6][7]Jerking: faults that cause it
- Black smoke from the exhaust, with a mixture that is too rich.[1][7]Black smoke: faults that cause it
- Increased fuel consumption.[6][7]Uses more fuel: faults that cause it
- In Saab's manual, the engine speed drops more slowly than normal when you release the accelerator and misfires may appear before the code sets.[8]
How to diagnose P0106
In order: from the most likely and cheapest to check to the most expensive.
- 1Read all the stored codes and consult the freeze frame data, which shows under what conditions the code set.[7]
- 2Visually inspect the intake duct and hoses, the clamps (properly tightened), the sensor's vacuum hose, the wiring and the connectors: cracks, leaks, loose clamps, corrosion.[1][2][6][7]
- 3Use a multimeter to measure the sensor's 5 V supply and earth, and the signal voltage. As a reference, Samarins gives about 4–4.9 V with the ignition on and the engine off, 1 to 2 V at idle and 4 to 4.5 V when accelerating; Autodoc, between 1 and 1.5 V at idle and about 4.5 V at full throttle. These are indicative values: they depend on the sensor.[1][2][7]
- 4With the scan tool, compare the sensor reading with barometric pressure with the engine off: they should match. In Saab's manual for a 2001 9-3, with the car stationary the value must correspond to that of the other two pressure sensors, with a maximum difference of 10 kPa.[2][8]
- 5Test the sensor with a vacuum pump: with the engine off, apply vacuum and check that the reading changes (that the voltage drops). If it does not change, the sensor is faulty or blocked.[2][7]
- 6Rule out the indirect causes: intake and vacuum leaks (including the PCV system, the dipstick tube and the plastic brake servo lines), blocked exhaust, EGR, dirty throttle body and MAF sensor.[2][4][6][7]
- 7On VW group cars, check the control unit software version and the timing, two points that Ross-Tech includes among its checks.[4]
- 8Only if the above is in order and the sensor still gives inconsistent values, replace it; the control unit is checked last.[1][4][7]
Can I keep driving with P0106?
Garage soon
The sources do not agree. Autodoc Club says the fault must be resolved immediately because it can make the car behave unstably, pose a safety hazard and cause serious engine damage, and Mechanic Base advises stopping driving immediately. CarWiki, on the other hand, says you can still make it to the nearest workshop, and Ross-Tech and the Saab manuals only describe symptoms such as rough idle or the blocking of some control unit corrections, without asking for the car to be stopped. To be safe, it is best to take it to a workshop as soon as possible and not carry on using it normally until it is repaired.[1][4][5][6][7][8]
Documented faults related to P0106
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.
EGR valve: the most serious faults by engine and car
- Critical severityFrequency: Very frequentBMW B47EGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fireYes: the EGR valve cooler can suffer internal coolant leaks which, mixed with soot and oil, can reach combustion temperatures; BMW has launched several technical campaigns since 2018 to inspect and replace it because of the risk of engine fire.Repair (garage): €500–€1,500
- Critical severityFrequency: Very frequentBMW N57EGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fireYes: like the N47 and B47, the N57 is covered by BMW's service campaign for EGR cooler leaks, which can mix coolant with soot and oil to combustion temperatures. BMW checks free of charge the 6-cylinder engines built between July 2012 and June 2015 because of the fire risk.
- High severityFrequency: Very frequentOM651EGR and particulate filter clogging, and emissions software updatesThe particulate filter and EGR clog up with short journeys, as on any diesel with these systems. In addition, Germany's KBA required software updates on several models with this engine between 2018 and 2021 because of a function that reduced EGR outside a temperature range.Repair (garage): €800–€2,500
- Medium severityFrequency: Very frequentOM642Emissions defeat device (AdBlue/EGR) and software update campaignGermany's KBA found indications of emissions manipulation in cars with the OM642 engine (alongside the OM651): AdBlue dosing and the EGR changed between the test bench and the road. Mercedes-Benz denied it, but in 2018 it recalled hundreds of thousands of diesels in Europe.
Frequently asked questions
How does the P0106 differ from the P0105, P0107 and P0108?
All four codes refer to the manifold pressure sensor. The P0105 is the general sensor fault warning, while the P0106 is defined as a range or performance problem in the circuit: the signal is not consistent. In Saab's manual for the 9-3 with Trionic 5, the P0106 is associated with a vacuum hose leak or a faulty sensor, the P0107 with a short circuit to earth and the P0108 with a short circuit to positive or an open circuit.[3][5]
Does the P0106 mean the MAP sensor is faulty?
Not necessarily. CarWiki points out that the problem is usually in the intake section, and the Saab manual says that a very large vacuum leak can trigger the code. Samarins and Mechanic Base add the EGR system, and Samarins also a blocked exhaust, a dirty throttle body and the MAF sensor. Ross-Tech, focusing on the VW group, includes intake and exhaust leaks, the control unit software and the timing.[2][4][6][7][8]
Can I drive with the P0106 code?
The sources do not agree. Autodoc says it must be resolved immediately, because the car can behave unstably and the engine can suffer serious damage, and Mechanic Base advises stopping driving immediately. CarWiki says you can still make it to the nearest workshop. The prudent course is to go straight to the workshop and avoid normal use of the car until it is repaired.[1][6][7]
How is the P0106 related to the MAF sensor (P0100 and P0101)?
They are different sensors: the MAF sensor determines the amount of air entering the engine and its faults usually give the codes P0100 to P0104, whereas the MAP sensor measures the air pressure in the manifold. Samarins includes a faulty MAF sensor among the possible causes of the P0106.[1][2][10]
Does the P0106 mean the same on all makes?
The definition is the same, because codes starting with P0 are generic OBD-II codes. Each manufacturer describes it in its own way: Ross-Tech shows it, on VW group cars, as an implausible signal from the manifold or barometric pressure sensor (G71/F96), and the Saab manual uses its own criteria and thresholds.[4][8][9]
Will I pass the MOT with code P0106?
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.[11]
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.
- Código OBD2 P0106: causas, síntomas y cómo corregirloAutodoc Club · Technical documentation · consulted 2 October 2026 · in Spanish
- P0106 - Manifold Absolute Pressure/Barometric Pressure Circuit Range/Performance ProblemSamarins.com · Technical documentation · published 19 January 2023 · consulted 2 October 2026
- P0106 — Manifold Absolute Pressure/Barometric Pressure Circuit Range/PerformanceThe Automotive Technician (TaT) · Technical documentation · consulted 2 October 2026
- 16490/P0106/000262 - Manifold / Barometric Pressure Sensor (G71) / (F96): Implausible SignalRoss-Tech Wiki · Technical documentation · consulted 2 October 2026
- Saab 9-3 (9400) 1998, Trionic T5: P0105, P0106, P0107, P0108 Manifold Absolute Pressure SensorSaab Workshop Information System (WIS Online) (copia del manual de taller de Saab) · Technical documentation · consulted 2 October 2026
- OBD Fehlercode P0106 | VW, Audi, Opel, Mercedes, Skoda, Ford & Co.CarWiki.de · Technical documentation · consulted 2 October 2026 · in German
- P0106 – Manifold Absolute Pressure/Barometric Pressure – Circuit Range/Performance ProblemMechanic Base · Technical documentation · published 7 January 2023 · consulted 2 October 2026
- Saab 9-3 (9400) 2001, Trionic T7: P0106 Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor Circuit. Performance Problem.Saab Workshop Information System (WIS Online) (copia del manual de taller de Saab) · Technical documentation · consulted 2 October 2026
- On-board diagnosticsWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 October 2026
- Medidor de masa de aire (MAF): funciones, síntomasAutodoc Club · Technical documentation · published 13 October 2020 · consulted 2 October 2026 · in Spanish
- 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