P0152🌫 Emissions / oxygen sensorsDrive with caution, fix soon

P0152: O2 Sensor Circuit High Voltage, Bank 2 Sensor 1 (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Based on 2 cited source(s)

What P0152 means

Bank 2 Sensor 1 is the upstream oxygen sensor, in front of the catalytic converter, on the side of the engine that does not contain cylinder 1. Only V6, V8 and other engines with two cylinder banks have a bank 2. OBD-Codes.com explains that a conventional oxygen sensor varies between about 0.1 volts (lean exhaust) and 0.9 volts (rich exhaust), and on a healthy engine the front sensors switch back and forth two or three times a second while the engine computer adjusts the fuel. P0152 sets when the voltage is stuck high, in the rich position, for too long. RepairPal says the code sets when there is a sustained high voltage signal for a specified amount of time, and describes it as tracking how long the oxygen or air-fuel ratio sensor takes to start switching around the 450-millivolt point once the system goes into closed loop. P0152 is the bank 2 version of P0132; P0151 is the low-voltage version on the same sensor.

Severity: can I keep driving?

Drive with caution, fix soon

Usually drivable for now, but get it checked soon. RepairPal rates P0152 Moderate and says that in many cases there are no symptoms beyond the check engine light, though emissions are often elevated. OBD-Codes.com lists more noticeable possible symptoms, including a very rough-running engine, lack of power and higher fuel use. The front oxygen sensor is what the engine uses to set its fuel mixture on that side of the engine, so a fault here can waste fuel and fail an emissions test. If the engine runs very rough or the check engine light flashes, have it looked at before driving much further.

Common symptoms

Likely causes

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

  1. Faulty Bank 2 Sensor 1 oxygen sensor (both sources)
  2. Wiring or connector problem: OBD-Codes.com lists the signal shorted to voltage and wiring melted by contact with the exhaust; RepairPal lists faulty oxygen sensor wiring or connections
  3. A shorted oxygen sensor heater element (RepairPal)
  4. Engine actually running rich, with the sensor reading correctly, for example from leaking injectors or a bad fuel pressure regulator (OBD-Codes.com)
  5. Vacuum leak, which OBD-Codes.com says may come with lean codes P0171 or P0174
  6. An over-reporting mass airflow sensor, which RepairPal says is sometimes misdiagnosed as a bad oxygen sensor
  7. A bad engine computer (OBD-Codes.com)

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.

  1. Read all stored codes and freeze-frame data. OBD-Codes.com says to fix any rich or lean codes first, because they can make a good sensor look faulty.
  2. With a scan tool on a warmed-up engine, watch the bank 2 front sensor voltage and the bank 2 fuel trims. OBD-Codes.com says long-term fuel trim in the negative double digits means the computer is pulling fuel; if the sensor responds when a small vacuum leak is introduced, suspect the engine (fuel delivery, injectors), not the sensor.
  3. If the reading stays at about 0.9 volts and won't respond, OBD-Codes.com says to switch off, unplug the sensor with the key on and engine off, and check for corrosion or water in the connector. If the reading then drops to about 0.5 volts, the sensor is shorted internally.
  4. If unplugging the sensor doesn't change the reading, inspect the harness for melted wires or spots touching the exhaust, and check continuity of the wires between the sensor and the engine computer.
  5. Don't replace the sensor on the code alone. RepairPal says sensors are commonly replaced when the real problem is the wiring or an over-reporting mass airflow sensor.

Typical fixes

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 engine runs very rough, loses power, or the check engine light flashes
  • The code comes back after a new sensor is fitted, which points to wiring, fuel delivery or another sensor
  • You need fuel pressure testing, injector testing or mass airflow sensor testing
  • The car has a wide-band air-fuel ratio sensor in the Sensor 1 position, which RepairPal says this code can also apply to

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

Can I drive with P0152?

Usually, for a short while. RepairPal rates it Moderate and says there are often no symptoms other than the check engine light, but OBD-Codes.com says the engine may run very rough, lack power or use more fuel. Get it diagnosed soon.

Does P0152 always mean a bad oxygen sensor?

No. OBD-Codes.com says the engine may truly be running rich, and lists leaking injectors, a bad fuel pressure regulator and wiring damage. RepairPal says sensors are often replaced when the problem is wiring or an over-reporting mass airflow sensor.

What's the difference between P0152 and P0132?

They are the same fault on different sides of the engine. P0132 is the front oxygen sensor on bank 1 (the side with cylinder 1), and P0152 is the front oxygen sensor on bank 2.

How much does it cost to fix P0152?

Neither source gives a repair cost for P0152. It depends on whether the fix is a new sensor, a wiring repair or a fuel system repair, so get it diagnosed first.

Sources

  1. OBD-Codes.com: P0152 O2 Sensor Circuit High Voltage (Bank 2 Sensor 1)
  2. RepairPal: P0152 O2 Sensor Circuit High Voltage (rated Moderate)

Last reviewed 2026-10-25. Code definitions and repair steps can vary by manufacturer. Confirm with your vehicle's service information.