P0141: O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Bank 1 Sensor 2
A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.
Yes - among the most benign codes; schedule repair at convenience.
Symptoms
- Check engine light, typically nothing else
Likely causes, most common first
- Downstream sensor heater element failed
- Heater circuit fuse or wiring
Read P0141 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
P0141 is the heater fault for the downstream (post-catalyst) sensor on bank 1. That sensor only monitors converter health, so nothing about how the engine runs changes.
The practical consequence is inspection readiness: the monitor will not complete, and the light stays on. Same fuse-first advice as P0135 applies.
Repair options and cost
Typical US independent-shop ranges, parts and labor. Dealers run higher; regional labor rates vary.
Owner reports mentioning P0141
“Just had the eniter exaust system replaced due to the cats were plugged . Replaced cats and all o2 sensors with factory oem's and now the car give 3 different codes , p0141, p0138, p1499 . After the codes showed up took back to shop and had to replace all the o2 senors again to the tune of $500.00 plus labor. And went to drive and get tested only to fail again, for bank 1 sensor 2 high voltage detected. Now shop is telling me there was a problem with the pmc and it needs to be replaced to the tune of another $450.00 plus labor.”2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee · Jul 2017 · 126,820 mi
“Check engine light is on service light is on throttle position sensor and oxygen sensor defects, troubleshooting codes: p1171,p1132,p0141. *tr”2000 Volvo V70XC · Mar 2011 · 190,000 mi
“Check engine light is on service light is on throttle position sensor and oxygen sensor defects, troubleshooting codes: p1171,p1132,p0141. *tr”2000 Volvo V70XC · Mar 2011 · 190,000 mi
Cars that report P0141 most often
Based on mentions of this code in NHTSA owner complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P0141?
Yes - among the most benign codes; schedule repair at convenience.
How much does it cost to fix P0141?
Typical US repair costs range from $40 for the simplest fix (fuse or wiring) to $400 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.