P0141

O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Bank 1 Sensor 2

Emissions / oxygen sensor Generic OBD-II Medium

What it means

P0141 means the heater circuit in the downstream oxygen sensor (bank 1, sensor 2 — after the catalytic converter) isn't drawing the current the ECM expects. That heater just brings the sensor up to temperature quickly; the code does not affect how the engine runs or starts. Most often the sensor's internal heater has failed, though a blown fuse or bad wiring can cause it too.

Medium

Can I keep driving? Yes — the car drives normally; this affects the downstream sensor's heater, not how the engine runs, but it will fail emissions until fixed.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

3,558

scans in the past year

Found in

0.6%

of scans

1.0%

of scans that found faults

Appears alongside · share of P0141 scans

P0135in 26.0% of scans

P0136in 17.9% of scans

P0138in 15.3% of scans

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
Usually no change in how the car drives
Emissions readiness monitor won't complete (fails a smog test)

Common causes

Most likely first

Failed heater element inside the downstream (sensor 2) O2 sensor — most commonLikely
Blown fuse or open/shorted wiring in the heater circuitCommon
Corroded or loose sensor connectorCommon
Faulty heater ground or driver in the ECM (rare)Less often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Read freeze-frame data and confirm the code is for bank 1, sensor 2 (the sensor after the catalytic converter).
Check the O2 heater fuse and inspect the sensor connector for corrosion or a loose pin.
Measure the heater element's resistance and its supply voltage and ground against spec.
If wiring and power are good, replace the downstream O2 sensor — the heater is usually the failure.
Clear the code and allow a full drive cycle for the monitor to re-run.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0141?+

Yes. The bank 1 sensor 2 heater only speeds the sensor to operating temperature for emissions monitoring; the engine runs and drives normally. Fix it to pass emissions.

Can I just clear P0141?+

It returns once the heater circuit fails its self-test again, usually within a drive cycle or two. The sensor or wiring needs repair.

Read & clear P0141 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