P0410: AIR System A
A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.
Yes - the system only works for the first minute after a cold start.
Symptoms
- Check engine light
- Louder whirring than usual after cold starts, or silence where there used to be whirring
- Emissions test failure
Likely causes, most common first
- Secondary air pump failed or full of water
- Check valve leaking exhaust back into the pump
- Blocked or corroded air passages
- Pump relay or fuse
Read P0410 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
P0410 concerns the secondary air injection system - an electric pump that blows fresh air into the exhaust for the first minute after a cold start, so the catalytic converter lights off sooner. Many owners have heard it without knowing: the vacuum-cleaner whir right after a cold start is the pump doing its job.
The classic failure chain starts with the one-way check valve between pump and exhaust. When it leaks, hot exhaust gas and moisture flow backward into the pump, and condensation eventually seizes or corrodes it. That is why a failed pump found in winter deserves a check-valve inspection too - a new pump behind a leaking valve dies the same death.
Repair options and cost
Typical US independent-shop ranges, parts and labor. Dealers run higher; regional labor rates vary.
Owner reports mentioning P0410
“Got 2 codes on secondary air system p2440,p0410. Witch restricted me from passing safety inspection and have a check engine light. It seems to be an on going common problem.”2013 Subaru Impreza · Dec 2021
“Engine speed (rpm) intermittently increases, or fails to decrease when throttle is released. Progressively worsenening. Last night, stuck at interstate speed and kept engine at high rpm. Wife semi panicked hit brakes and pulled off on shoulder. After 2 hour wait, still sticky, but driveable. Many identical reports/fixes on utube. Possibly related fault codes p0410 , p0491”2006 Ford Focus · Oct 2015 · 135,000 mi
“The secondary air pump in forester/wrx and other subaru, turbo models accumulates moisture, as a result of which, in many vehicles the emissions system becomes inoperative with engine malfunction codes p2444, p2444b, p0410, p2440 and other such codes. This appears to be a recurring and an engineering defect in the design of subaru turbo models which requires expensive fix (upto $1500) and without which, the aforementioned subaru vehicles will not pass emission controls. Most owners are forced to resort to work arounds such as getting rid of the secondary air injection system altogether, but this increases emissions above epa norms. Please investigate into this issue. *tr”2009 Subaru Forester · Nov 2014 · 65,000 mi
Show 5 more owner reports
“Emission related problem, obd ii code p0410 secondary air injection valve check valve associated with air injection system problem, I had it replaced twice already with original part from dealer very well known problem with emission over this defective valve (water build up inside/malfunction)”2004 GMC Envoy · Jan 2013 · 65,000 mi
“Code p1410 secondary air injection system switching valve stuck open. This is a common error many 2006 and up subaru impreza wrx owners are having. The emissions system is prone to fail due to carbon buildup or moisture and rust contaminating valves, leading to repairs costing $700 to $1500. This failure is common even with low mileage. Note these codes are also associated with this failure: 06/07 wrx: p0410 p0411 p0413 p0414 p0416 p0417 p0418 p2431 p2432 p2433 p2440 p2441 p2442 p2443 p2444 07 sti: p0410 p0411 p0413 p0414 p0418 p2431 p2432 p2433 p2441 p2444 *tr”2006 Subaru WRX · Jan 2012 · 66,870 mi
“Code p1410 secondary air injection system switching valve stuck open. This is a common error many 2006 and up subaru impreza wrx owners are having. The emissions system is prone to fail due to carbon buildup or moisture and rust contaminating valves, leading to repairs costing $700 to $1500. This failure is common even with low mileage. Note these codes are also associated with this failure: 06/07 wrx: p0410 p0411 p0413 p0414 p0416 p0417 p0418 p2431 p2432 p2433 p2440 p2441 p2442 p2443 p2444 07 sti: p0410 p0411 p0413 p0414 p0418 p2431 p2432 p2433 p2441 p2444. *tr”2006 Subaru Impreza · Apr 2011 · 60,000 mi
“Service engine soon light was on after completing a diagnostic test at a local dealer they said the malfunction was the secondary air injection(air pump) code p0410. They said the reason these go out is because of an engineering defect and the way they routed the hoses instead of air flowing through it causes water to accumulate therefore making the motor in the air pump to go bad. So while changing out this bad air pump there was so much water that had accumulated it actually caused the light to blow which could have caused the mechanic to be electrocuted! *tr”2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer · Feb 2010
“P0410 code: haven't been able to get this vehicle inspected in 2 years. Replaced a.I.r. Pump and alternator to no avail. Cleared code but always comes back after 50 miles of driving. Seems to be a false p0410 code since pump is actually functioning and going through startup tests when vehicle first started. Skeptical about taking vehicle to gm dealerships. There's always seem to be another "failure" after you drive from dealerships. *jb”2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue · Nov 2006 · 62,000 mi
Cars that report P0410 most often
Based on mentions of this code in NHTSA owner complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P0410?
Yes - the system only works for the first minute after a cold start.
How much does it cost to fix P0410?
Typical US repair costs range from $20 for the simplest fix (fuse or relay) to $800 in the worst case. The right number depends on which cause your car has - see the causes list.
Related codes
The codes closest to P0410. 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.