P0473

Exhaust Pressure Sensor A Circuit High

Q: Is it safe to drive with P0473?

Short trips are usually fine, but many vehicles cut power to protect the engine, and on diesels it can disrupt DPF regeneration — fix it promptly.

Q: Can I just clear P0473?

It will return once the ECM reads the high signal again unless the sensor, wiring, or blocked tube is repaired.

Exhaust / emissions control Generic OBD-II Medium

What it means

P0473 means the ECM has read an abnormally high signal from exhaust pressure sensor "A", which monitors back-pressure in the exhaust (often part of the EGR or diesel DPF system). The engine still starts, but the false-high reading can trigger reduced power and, on diesels, interfere with soot-filter regeneration, so it's worth addressing before long drives.

Medium

Can I keep driving? Usually drivable, but the engine may drop into reduced-power mode and diesel DPF/EGR functions can be affected, so repair it soon.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

104

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
Reduced power or limp mode (common on diesels)
Decreased fuel efficiency
Rough running under load

Common causes

Most likely first

Faulty exhaust back-pressure sensorLikely
Signal wire shorted high or reference/ground fault in the circuitCommon
Loose or corroded sensor connectorCommon
Clogged or damaged sensor pressure tube (carbon/soot)Less often
Rarely, a failed ECMLess often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Read freeze-frame data and inspect the exhaust pressure sensor and its pressure tube for soot blockage or damage.
Check the connector and wiring for a short-to-voltage or open on the signal line.
Compare the sensor's reading to actual/known pressure with a scan tool; replace the sensor if stuck high.
Clear carbon from the sensor port or tube if blocked, then clear the code and re-test.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0473?+

Short trips are usually fine, but many vehicles cut power to protect the engine, and on diesels it can disrupt DPF regeneration — fix it promptly.

Can I just clear P0473?+

It will return once the ECM reads the high signal again unless the sensor, wiring, or blocked tube is repaired.

Read & clear P0473 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