P0339: Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Intermittent
A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.
Not recommended - the engine can cut out at any moment.
Symptoms
- Sudden stalling, often restarting after a pause
- Random no-start
- Rough running with no other explanation
Likely causes, most common first
- Intermittent crank sensor failure
- Chafed or broken wiring
- Loose connector
- Damaged reluctor teeth
Read P0339 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
P0339 records an intermittent crankshaft position signal - the signal disappears briefly and comes back. Intermittent faults are the hardest to catch in a workshop because everything tests correctly while the car sits still.
Freeze frame data earns its keep here. Coolant temperature and engine load recorded at the moment the code set separate a heat-related sensor failure from a wiring fault that appears over bumps. If the wiring is the suspect, gentle movement of the harness with the engine running while watching live rpm often reproduces the dropout on demand.
Repair options and cost
Typical US independent-shop ranges, parts and labor. Dealers run higher; regional labor rates vary.
Owner reports mentioning P0339
“I have a vehicle whose refrigeration is going into the motor. It started with the check engine light came on notifying the third spark plug was damaged and showed the codes P0303, P04DB, P0316, P0339. Later a warning sign came on the dashboard with the phrase "ENGINE MALFUNCTION, SERVICE NOW". It had a recall almost immediately after it was acquired and was seen by the manufacturer about two years.”2018 Ford Escape · May 2026
“The contact's wife owns a 2016 Jeep Compass. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the vehicle experienced a lost of power steering assist. The contact stated he self-inspected the vehicle and code P0339 (Crank Shaft A Sensor) was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle as having crank shaft sensor failure. The mechanic referred the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA Hotline. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.”2016 Jeep Compass · Feb 2023 · 107,000 mi
“I own a 2015 dodge journey 63000 miles. When the vehicle was in motion on a major street traveling 49mph the car jerked, deaccelerated abruptly and the steering wheel became tight. It did not slow down it deaccelerated. There was no warning or code on prior to this happening. I was lucky there was not anyone behind me nor on a highway. Took it to the dealer and they said it was "failed crank position sensor." it had a code of p0339. We paid dealer to fix it - obviously. I noticed there is a recall for crankshaft position sensor on 2016 dodge journey - I beg that you recall cankshaft position sensor for dodge journey 2015.”2015 Dodge Journey · Aug 2020 · 64,200 mi
Show 5 more owner reports
“P0339 crank shaft position sensor intermitted my engine completely lost power. This is very dangerous. This is a recall on this crank shaft on 2012-2016 models for dodge journey. I was driving on a residential street going 35 mph and my car stalled and the engine lost complete power.”2015 Dodge Journey · Jul 2020 · 72,000 mi
“On my way to work, my car stalled 3 times while at a stop light and once while moving. After the moving stall, my engine light came on. The error code is p0339. It also stalled twice on my way home from work. It didn't stall while I was moving on the second trip because my foot happened to be on the gas when it tried to stall. I felt the car jerk backwards then re-engage the engine back to where it was before it almost stalled. The car had done a little jerk every once in a while, but now it's multiple times in a single trip.”2012 Jeep Patriot · Mar 2019 · 61,000 mi
“Engine shut off without warning while driving on interstate highway. Received messages service transmission and service engine. Coasted to stop on shoulder of road. Car would not restart for about 10 minutes. Checked codes afterwards; shows p0339 crankshaft position sensor a circuit intermittent and p0335 crankshaft position sensor a circuit. This presents a serious safety issue when car engine stops without warning.”2018 Jeep Compass · Aug 2018 · 600 mi
“The car has stalled three times, twice on the highway, once losing power steering. Twice accelerating at 5 and 50 mph and once idling at 30 mph. Battery and charging system errors on dash. Each time, pulling over, going to park, and restarting works. Crank position sensor was replaced after second stall based on engine code p0339.”2015 Toyota Camry · May 2018 · 65,300 mi
“Complaint against "infiniti of beverly hills". I took my vehicle in to get the necessary recall for my passenger airbag. "passenger airbag light flashes on dash." perform recall p0339 g35 sab connector itb10-034. According to infiniti they want me to first pay to fix my passenger seat as my passenger seat switch is broken and will not move back and forth. This will cost me $300.79 to fix the passenger seat switch for the part. The dealership should honor the recall without me having to fix another part of the car. I'm not in a position to spend another 300 + labor charges to repair the seat as times are rough with work and finances.”2004 Infiniti G35 · Feb 2016
Cars that report P0339 most often
Based on mentions of this code in NHTSA owner complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P0339?
Not recommended - the engine can cut out at any moment.
How much does it cost to fix P0339?
Typical US repair costs range from $60 for the simplest fix (crankshaft position sensor) to $450 in the worst case. The right number depends on which cause your car has - see the causes list.
Related codes
The codes closest to P0339. 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.