P0037: HO2S Heater Control Circuit Low Bank 1 Sensor 2
A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.
Yes - no effect on running.
Symptoms
- Check engine light
- Emissions monitors never completing
- No felt symptom
Likely causes, most common first
- Heater shorted to ground
- Failed heater element
- Harness chafed against the floor or a heat shield
- Water in the connector
Read P0037 yourself before paying for diagnosis
A basic Bluetooth OBD-II scanner ($20-40) plugs into the port under the dashboard and shows this code with live sensor data on your phone - useful both for confirming the fix and for talking to a shop from an informed position.
What is going on and how it gets diagnosed
P0037 is a low reading in the bank 1 downstream heater circuit. Under the car, the usual villain is not the sensor but its wiring: the harness section between the body and the exhaust flexes with every engine movement, and a wire worn bare against a heat shield grounds the circuit exactly like a failed heater would.
Ten minutes on ramps with a flashlight, following the harness from connector to sensor, is the honest first step. If the wiring is clean, the sensor's heater has failed - they do wear out, and by the mileage this usually happens the sensing element is aged too, so replacement rather than repair is the right call.
Repair options and cost
Typical US independent-shop ranges, parts and labor. Dealers run higher; regional labor rates vary.
Owner reports mentioning P0037
“This vehicle has a p0037 and a p0037 dtc's that won't cancel. Findley chrysler replaced the oxygen sensors. It didn't fix it. They say the computer is bad. I sent the computer 5033293af to be repaired. They said the computer is ok. I got the codes to go away for a brief time by messing with the computer wire loom. Ihave heard there was arecall for this. Is it still available?06/08/2018”2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser · Jun 2018
“The check engine light has been on since september 2015. I have visited the dealer three times (until end-jan 2015) and there is no resolution. I have a metro mile tag that transmits me error codes and as per that the problem is p0037 - ho2s heater control circuit low bank 1 sensor 2 the dealer has not been able to resolve it and it is a absolute waste of time getting the vehicle to the dealer so many times.”2013 Nissan Altima · Sep 2015 · 30,000 mi
Cars that report P0037 most often
Based on mentions of this code in NHTSA owner complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P0037?
Yes - no effect on running.
How much does it cost to fix P0037?
Typical US repair costs range from $80 for the simplest fix (downstream oxygen sensor) to $400 in the worst case. The right number depends on which cause your car has - see the causes list.
Related codes
The codes closest to P0037. They often appear together, and telling them apart is usually what narrows the diagnosis.
Definition per SAE J2012 standard nomenclature. Symptoms, causes and costs are editorial guidance - always confirm with a diagnosis of your specific vehicle.