P0102: Mass or Volume Air Flow Sensor A Circuit Low
A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.
Driveable in fallback mode; expect sluggish response until fixed.
Symptoms
- Stalling or hard start
- Sluggish acceleration, rough idle
Likely causes, most common first
- MAF connector unplugged or corroded
- Wiring damage between MAF and computer
- Dead MAF sensor
Read P0102 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
P0102 is a low-voltage complaint: the MAF circuit is reading near zero, which no running engine can produce honestly. Unlike P0101's plausibility argument, this is usually an electrical break - connector, wiring, or a sensor that has died outright.
Start at the connector: unplug, inspect for bent pins and corrosion, replug. Wiggle-testing the harness while watching live MAF data finds intermittent breaks that a static inspection misses.
Repair options and cost
Typical US independent-shop ranges, parts and labor. Dealers run higher; regional labor rates vary.
Owner reports mentioning P0102
“My Car ocassionally comes with Code P0101 and P0102 when the check Engine light comes on. And when it does come on, The Traction Light and Head Collision warning lights show as well. These affect how the car drives and I have to stop and shut of the engine for a couple of minutes and then restart the engine. Changing the Mass Air flor sensor does not seem to have helped anything and it seems based on internet searches that several people who own similar cars are having the same issue”2019 Nissan Kicks · Sep 2025
“The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking and made an abnormal rattling sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who retrieved DTC codes: P0420 (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold), P0113 (Intake Air Temperature Sensor), P0101, and P0102 (Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensors). The independent mechanic replaced the intake air temperature sensor and the MAF sensors; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 206,669.”2012 Nissan Rogue · Jan 2025 · 206,669 mi
“The dpf filter is saying that its clogged and it won't regin. Codes: p0234, p24a2,p0420,p0087,p2228,p1193,p243f,p0102,p203f,p2280”2015 Ram 5500 · Oct 2020 · 180,000 mi
Show 4 more owner reports
“Error codes p0113 and p0102 and warning messages for check engine and ics malfunction* lappeared when starting the garaged vehicle in approximately 55f room temperature. Toyota of escondido and toyota's customer care telephone center explained that they will not inspect (although under the 3-year/36,000 miles warranty) without a service fee. Online, reports that a failing 12v battery may cause multiple codes to be triggered were also met with a request for a $110 diagnostic fee. The battery is also under the 3-year/36,000 mile warranty. Error codes and messages implicate fuel efficiency, pollution and safety issues. *ics is their collision sensor system.”2018 Toyota Prius · Jan 2020 · 19,100 mi
“While driving the vehicle at 35 mph, the dashboard check engine light illuminated. The engine idle speed became erratic and the vehicle stalled. Upon scanning the computer for fault codes, a p0102 code was found. The mass airflow sensor and the idle control valve were both replaced, however the p0102 fault and check engine light re-appeared the next day. I have found hundreds of complaints online for the identical problem that buick lesabre owners are experiencing with no solid "cure" for the problem. This condition is un-safe and renders the vehicle unreliable for driving. *tr”2000 Buick Lesabre · Nov 2014 · 80,321 mi
“Without warning, check engine light, reduced power and stability system shut down dash board engine light came on and stayed on. Had engine code scanned (p2138, p0102) still problem is not resolved. Dealer was no help just wanted to sell parts that may fix it. *tr”2007 GMC Yukon XL · Oct 2014 · 119,032 mi
“Car ran perfectly, then I turned off, then I restarted 5 seconds later to reposition in garage. Engine then revving from 800 to 1200 rpm rhythmically, approx once per second, eml light on, brake light on, service engine light on, very hard to stop car, had anyone been close I would have hit them. Engine revving continued for 2 days, then went away on own. I then took off airbox to inspect maf, filter. Codes on 3rd day: p1632 throttle, pending: p0102, iats. There have been other incidents over the years of restarting engine to have extremely rough idle, also cleared on its own, but never surging like this. *tr”2003 BMW 325I · Jan 2011 · 70,000 mi
Cars that report P0102 most often
Based on mentions of this code in NHTSA owner complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P0102?
Driveable in fallback mode; expect sluggish response until fixed.
How much does it cost to fix P0102?
Typical US repair costs range from $60 for the simplest fix (connector or wiring repair) to $450 in the worst case. The right number depends on which cause your car has - see the causes list.
Definition per SAE J2012 standard nomenclature. Symptoms, causes and costs are editorial guidance - always confirm with a diagnosis of your specific vehicle.