Failed heater element in the Bank 2 Sensor 2 oxygen sensor (OBD-Codes.com; RepairPal lists oxygen sensor failure). Physical damage to the oxygen sensor (OBD-Codes.com). Heater control circuit, or voltage feed depending on the system, shorted to ground (OBD-Codes.com; RepairPal lists wiring issue). Failed oxygen sensor heater driver in the engine computer (OBD-Codes.com; RepairPal lists PCM failure).

Replace the Bank 2 Sensor 2 oxygen sensor if its heater has failed or the sensor is damaged; RepairPal lists this as the common repair. Repair wiring that is damaged or shorted to ground, and reroute it away from the exhaust. Diagnose the engine computer's heater driver only after the sensor and wiring test good.

P0057🌫 Emissions / oxygen sensorsDrive with caution, fix soon

P0057: HO2S Heater Control Circuit Low (Bank 2, Sensor 2) (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

Q: What does P0057 mean?

P0057 means the engine computer has seen an abnormally low voltage in the heater circuit of the rear (downstream) oxygen sensor on Bank 2, the one after the catalytic converter on the side of the engine without cylinder #1. A failed heater element, a damaged sensor, a heater wire shorted to ground, or a failed heater driver in the engine computer are the usual causes. Bank 2 Sensor 2 is the second oxygen sensor back on Bank 2, after the catalytic converter on the side of the engine that does not contain cylinder #1, so this code only appears on engines with two banks. OBD-Codes.com explains that the engine computer (PCM) uses this sensor mainly to monitor catalytic converter efficiency, and that a built-in heater warms the sensor so the engine reaches closed loop sooner and makes fewer emissions on a cold start. Depending on the make, the PCM either switches the 12-volt feed to the heater (directly or through an HO2S relay) with a common ground, or the heater gets a fused 12-volt feed whenever the ignition is on and the PCM switches the ground side. The PCM watches the heater circuit for abnormal voltage, and on some vehicles current; if it sees abnormally low voltage, P0057 may set. Nissan words it as 'Heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) 2 Bank 2 - heater voltage low'. RepairPal describes the trigger more generally, saying the PCM sets P0057 when it detects the heater wire is not operating. P0056 is the general heater-circuit code for the same sensor and P0058 is the circuit-high version.

Q: Can I keep driving with P0057?

Drive with caution, fix soon. Usually drivable. RepairPal rates P0057 Moderate: not an immediate safety threat, but get it diagnosed within a reasonable time. OBD-Codes.com says there will likely be no symptoms other than the check engine light. A car with an active check engine light will likely fail an OBD2 emissions inspection.

Reviewed 2026-10-24 · Based on 2 cited source(s)

What P0057 means

Bank 2 Sensor 2 is the second oxygen sensor back on Bank 2, after the catalytic converter on the side of the engine that does not contain cylinder #1, so this code only appears on engines with two banks. OBD-Codes.com explains that the engine computer (PCM) uses this sensor mainly to monitor catalytic converter efficiency, and that a built-in heater warms the sensor so the engine reaches closed loop sooner and makes fewer emissions on a cold start. Depending on the make, the PCM either switches the 12-volt feed to the heater (directly or through an HO2S relay) with a common ground, or the heater gets a fused 12-volt feed whenever the ignition is on and the PCM switches the ground side. The PCM watches the heater circuit for abnormal voltage, and on some vehicles current; if it sees abnormally low voltage, P0057 may set. Nissan words it as 'Heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) 2 Bank 2 - heater voltage low'. RepairPal describes the trigger more generally, saying the PCM sets P0057 when it detects the heater wire is not operating. P0056 is the general heater-circuit code for the same sensor and P0058 is the circuit-high version.

Severity: can I keep driving?

Drive with caution, fix soon

Usually drivable. RepairPal rates P0057 Moderate: not an immediate safety threat, but get it diagnosed within a reasonable time. OBD-Codes.com says there will likely be no symptoms other than the check engine light. A car with an active check engine light will likely fail an OBD2 emissions inspection.

Common symptoms

Check engine light on (both sources)
Likely no other symptoms (OBD-Codes.com)
Decreased engine performance and increased fuel consumption (RepairPal; OBD-Codes.com disagrees, see FAQ)

Likely causes

Roughly most to least common, based on the sources below. Your vehicle may differ.

Failed heater element in the Bank 2 Sensor 2 oxygen sensor (OBD-Codes.com; RepairPal lists oxygen sensor failure)
Physical damage to the oxygen sensor (OBD-Codes.com)
Heater control circuit, or voltage feed depending on the system, shorted to ground (OBD-Codes.com; RepairPal lists wiring issue)
Failed oxygen sensor heater driver in the engine computer (OBD-Codes.com; RepairPal lists PCM failure)

Diagnostic steps you can do

⚠ Before you start

Work on a cool engine, parked on level ground with the parking brake set. Never work under a car supported only by a jack.

Find the right sensor: Bank 2 is the side of the engine without cylinder #1, and Sensor 2 is the one after the catalytic converter. Let a recently run exhaust cool before touching it.
Visually inspect the sensor and its wiring harness for damage, and make sure the wiring is routed away from the exhaust (OBD-Codes.com).
Unplug the sensor and, with the key on and engine off, check for 12 volts at the heater feed, or for ground, depending on how your system is wired (OBD-Codes.com).
Check that the heater control (ground) circuit is intact.
If you have the resistance specification for your sensor, measure the heater element with an ohmmeter. OBD-Codes.com says infinite resistance means the heater is open and the sensor needs replacing.

Typical fixes

Replace the Bank 2 Sensor 2 oxygen sensor if its heater has failed or the sensor is damaged; RepairPal lists this as the common repair
Repair wiring that is damaged or shorted to ground, and reroute it away from the exhaust
Diagnose the engine computer's heater driver only after the sensor and wiring test good

Repair costs vary widely by vehicle, region, parts brand and shop, so we don't quote prices. Get a written estimate after diagnosis.

🛠 When to call a pro

The code comes back after a new sensor and good wiring checks, which points to the heater driver in the engine computer
You don't have a multimeter, the resistance spec and a wiring diagram for your vehicle
The old sensor is seized or breaks off in the exhaust pipe

Where to buy

Plain search links. Always match parts to your exact year, make, model and engine.

OBD2 scanners on Amazon Parts at Advance Auto Parts catalog at RockAuto

FAQs

Will P0057 hurt performance or fuel economy?

The sources disagree. OBD-Codes.com says there will likely be no symptoms besides the check engine light, since this rear sensor is used mainly to monitor the catalytic converter. RepairPal lists decreased engine performance and increased fuel consumption as symptoms.

What's the difference between P0056, P0057 and P0058?

All three are for the Bank 2 Sensor 2 oxygen sensor heater. RepairPal lists P0056 as the general heater control circuit fault, P0057 as circuit low and P0058 as circuit high.

Why did P0057 set along with P0031, P0037 and P0051?

When several heater-circuit codes for different sensors set at once, a shared power feed, fuse, relay or ground is worth checking before replacing sensors. OBD-Codes.com notes that on some vehicles the PCM powers the heaters through an HO2S relay, and its forum has threads where these codes appeared together on Jeeps.

How much does it cost to fix P0057?

Neither source gives a price for this code. The usual repair is replacing one downstream oxygen sensor, so get a quote for that sensor on your vehicle once the wiring has been checked.

Sources

Last reviewed 2026-10-24. Code definitions and repair steps can vary by manufacturer. Confirm with your vehicle's service information.