P0544

Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Circuit Bank 1 Sensor 1

Exhaust / emissions Generic OBD-II Medium

What it means

P0544 indicates a fault in the circuit for exhaust gas temperature (EGT) sensor 1 on bank 1. That sensor monitors exhaust heat to protect the turbo and, on diesels, manage particulate-filter regeneration. It's usually a failed sensor, heat-damaged wiring, or a bad connector — many gasoline vehicles run normally, while some diesels reduce power until it's repaired.

Medium

Can I keep driving? Usually drivable — many vehicles run normally, though some diesels may limit power or delay DPF regeneration to protect the exhaust.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

603

scans in the past year

Found in

0.1%

of scans

0.2%

of scans that found faults

Appears alongside · share of P0544 scans

P2263in 36.8% of scans

P0380in 32.7% of scans

P0471in 29.9% 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
Reduced power or limp mode on some diesels
Diesel particulate filter regeneration issues
Poor fuel economy or emissions in some cases

Common causes

Most likely first

Faulty exhaust gas temperature (EGT) sensor, bank 1 sensor 1Likely
Open or short in the EGT sensor wiringCommon
Corroded or loose sensor connectorCommon
Heat-damaged wiring near the exhaustLess often
ECM fault (rare)Less often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Read freeze-frame data and inspect the bank 1 sensor 1 EGT sensor connector and wiring for heat damage, corrosion, or an open/short.
Compare the sensor's reading with the other EGT sensors on a scan tool — a cold engine should show them all near ambient.
Measure the sensor's resistance against specification.
Replace the EGT sensor if it reads out of range with good wiring. Clear and re-test.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0544?+

Often yes for short trips, but on diesels the ECM uses exhaust temperature to protect the turbo and particulate filter, so a fault can cause reduced power or skipped regenerations. Repair it before long drives.

Can I just clear P0544?+

It returns if the sensor or wiring is still faulty. Diagnose the circuit before clearing, especially on a diesel.

Read & clear P0544 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