P013C

O2 Sensor Slow Response - Rich to Lean Bank 2 Sensor 2

Q: Is it safe to drive with P013C?

Yes. The rear oxygen sensor mainly monitors the catalytic converter, so the car drives normally. The main consequence is failing an emissions test until it's repaired.

Q: Can I just clear P013C?

You can, but it returns once the monitor runs again if the sensor is truly slow. Confirm there's no exhaust leak, then replace the sensor if needed.

Fuel & air metering / emissions Generic OBD-II Medium

What it means

P013C means the downstream (post-catalyst) oxygen sensor on bank 2 is switching from rich to lean too slowly. This sensor mainly monitors the catalytic converter, so the car usually drives normally, but a lazy sensor sets the light and can cause an emissions-test failure. Aging sensors and small exhaust leaks are the common causes.

Medium

Can I keep driving? Safe to drive — this is a downstream oxygen-sensor response fault; the car runs normally but may fail an emissions test until it's fixed.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

scans in the past year

Found in

<0.1%

of scans

<0.1%

of scans that found faults

Figures reflect only diagnostic scans recorded through our own apps and tools. Cars are typically scanned because a symptom or warning light prompted it, so these counts describe our scan records — not the incidence of faults in any model, and not the quality, reliability, or safety of any vehicle. No comparison between manufacturers or models is implied. All trademarks belong to their respective owners; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.

Common symptoms

What you'll notice

Check-engine light on
Often no noticeable change in how the car drives
May fail an emissions/readiness test
Slightly higher fuel consumption in some cases

Common causes

Most likely first

Aged or contaminated downstream oxygen sensor (bank 2, sensor 2)Likely
Exhaust leak near the rear O2 sensor letting outside air inCommon
Corroded or loose sensor connectorCommon
Contamination from oil or coolant burning in the exhaustLess often
Rarely, an ECM/PCM faultLess often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Read freeze-frame data and check for exhaust leaks upstream of the rear sensor.
Inspect the bank 2 sensor 2 connector and wiring for corrosion or damage.
Compare the sensor's switching speed in live data against the front sensor's.
Replace the downstream oxygen sensor if it's slow and the exhaust is sealed — the usual fix.
Clear the code and drive a full cycle to confirm it stays off.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P013C?+

Yes. The rear oxygen sensor mainly monitors the catalytic converter, so the car drives normally. The main consequence is failing an emissions test until it's repaired.

Can I just clear P013C?+

You can, but it returns once the monitor runs again if the sensor is truly slow. Confirm there's no exhaust leak, then replace the sensor if needed.

Read & clear P013C yourself

Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.

▶ Get it on Google Play

✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX