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.
Related codes
The codes closest to P0141. 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.