P0112: Intake Air Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit Low Bank 1
A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.
Yes - the engine will run rich and use more fuel until repaired.
Symptoms
- Slightly rich running
- Reduced fuel economy
- No obvious symptom in mild weather
Likely causes, most common first
- Signal wire shorted to ground
- Sensor failed internally
- Connector corroded or water damaged
- Damaged harness near the intake
Read P0112 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
P0112 means the intake air temperature circuit is reading at the extreme that corresponds to very hot air - electrically, a short to ground. The computer treats hot air as thin air and trims fuelling accordingly, which is why this quietly costs fuel economy without ever feeling broken.
The test takes minutes. Unplug the sensor: if the reading swings to the opposite extreme, the wiring is intact and the sensor is at fault. If it stays pegged, the short is in the harness between the sensor and the computer.
Repair options and cost
Typical US independent-shop ranges, parts and labor. Dealers run higher; regional labor rates vary.
Owner reports mentioning P0112
“While parking my 2023 Hyundai Sante Fe, I hard pressed the break and pushed the Park button. The engine revved up and the vehicle took off instead of going into park; smashing into a building. The parking block was 6ft from the building. The engine accelerated to a high enough speed that it totaled the vehicle completely out. The engine code readings after the vehicle was towed to a repair shop was P0112 and P0114. The mechanic says that's the initial cause of the accident. The insurance reps are supposed to be following up on the mechanics diagnostics currently. There were no warning lights or anything on before the issue occurred as this was a brand new vehicle with only 8,000 miles on it.”2023 Hyundai Santa FE · Dec 2023
Cars that report P0112 most often
Based on mentions of this code in NHTSA owner complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P0112?
Yes - the engine will run rich and use more fuel until repaired.
How much does it cost to fix P0112?
Typical US repair costs range from $60 for the simplest fix (intake air temperature sensor) to $250 in the worst case. The right number depends on which cause your car has - see the causes list.
Related codes
The codes closest to P0112. 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.