P2196 fault code: what it means

P2196: Bank 1 front O2 / air-fuel sensor signal is stuck rich.

Engine and gearbox (powertrain) · Minor

Usual causes, most likely first

1. aged front O2 / A/F sensor
2. dirty or faulty MAF sensor
3. leaking injector or high fuel pressure

What the repair usually costs

• Air-fuel ratio / front O2 sensor replace (upstream)NZ$270–NZ$750 · A$260–A$730
• MAF (mass air flow) sensor replaceNZ$170–NZ$660 · A$160–A$600
• High-pressure fuel pump (GDI petrol or common-rail diesel)NZ$1,140–NZ$4,280 · A$1,060–A$3,800

Not sure what P2196 means on your car? Ask Credov.

Before you clear it

Write the code down or photograph the scanner first. A code that comes straight back after clearing points to a fault that is still there. A car whose codes were cleared just before you arrived may be hiding one: the scanner's readiness monitors show "not ready" for a while after codes are cleared.

Researched by Credov from manufacturer and workshop sources. A fault code points to where a fault may be; a workshop confirms it with a diagnosis. Browse all fault codes.