P0507

Idle Control System RPM - Higher Than Expected

Vehicle speed & idle control Generic OBD-II High

What it means

P0507 means the engine is idling faster than the ECM's target — the idle control system can't bring RPM down to where it should be. The most common cause is a vacuum leak letting in extra unmetered air, or a dirty throttle body. The car still runs, but a persistently high idle can make it creep at stops and lengthen braking, so it's worth fixing promptly.

High

Can I keep driving? Yes, but be careful — the engine idles faster than it should, which can make the car creep, lengthen stopping, and stress the brakes; have it fixed rather than relying on it long-term.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

997

scans in the past year

Found in

0.2%

of scans

0.3%

of scans that found faults

Appears alongside · share of P0507 scans

P0506in 50.4% of scans

P0401in 47.8% of scans

P0402in 47.7% 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

Idle speed higher than normal (fast/high idle)
Idle that won't drop back down after warm-up
Check-engine light on
Car creeps or feels eager to move at a stop

Common causes

Most likely first

Vacuum leak (intake gasket, hose, or PCV) letting in unmetered air — most commonLikely
Dirty or carboned throttle body / idle air passageCommon
Sticking idle air control (IAC) valve or throttle plateCommon
Faulty coolant temperature or mass airflow sensor skewing idleLess often
Stuck or leaking PCV valveLess often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Read freeze-frame data and note whether the high idle appears warm, cold, or always.
Check for vacuum leaks first — inspect intake hoses, gaskets, and the PCV system (the most common cause).
Inspect and clean the throttle body and idle air passages.
Test the IAC valve (where fitted) and confirm the throttle plate closes fully.
Check the coolant temp and MAF sensor readings. Repair the cause, clear, and re-test.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0507?+

It usually still drives, but a high idle can make the car creep and lengthen braking, so treat it as something to fix soon rather than ignore.

Can I just clear P0507?+

You can, but the high idle and code return until the vacuum leak or throttle/IAC issue causing it is repaired.

Read & clear P0507 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