P0462: Fuel Level Sensor A Circuit Low
A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.
Yes - expect the gauge to read empty or the low-fuel light to stay on.
Symptoms
- Gauge pegged at empty
- Low-fuel warning always on
- Check engine light
Likely causes, most common first
- Signal circuit shorted to ground
- Sender failed at the low-resistance end
- Chafed harness near the tank
- Water in the connector
Read P0462 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
P0462 reports the level circuit at the low extreme. Which physical gauge reading that produces depends on the design - on most it means a gauge pinned at empty and a low-fuel light that never goes out.
Do not dismiss the annoyance factor: a low-fuel light that cries wolf for months trains the driver to ignore it, and the one time it is telling the truth ends with a walk. The electrical test is simple and standard: unplug the sender connector and watch whether the reading swings to the opposite extreme - if it does, wiring is fine and the sender is the fault.
Repair options and cost
Typical US independent-shop ranges, parts and labor. Dealers run higher; regional labor rates vary.
Owner reports mentioning P0462
“The fuel gauge stopped working. Fuel gauge shows full all the time. Error code is P0462. Mechanic replaced fuel pump module assembly and this did not fix the problem. Check engine light is on and will not go off and the code will not clear.”2006 Nissan Altima · Sep 2019
“The fuel gauge is inaccurate and the service engine lights illuminates with fault code p0462. Money spent unnecessarily on brand new fuel pump assembly problem still exists. Occurs both stationary and in motion problem occurs.”2006 Nissan Altima · Mar 2019 · 59,900 mi
“Check engine light is constantly on. Both fuel sensor units were replaced on vehicle. Gas gauge not working properly. --p0462 obd-ii trouble code: fuel level sensor circuit low input.”2006 Infiniti G35 · Dec 2015 · 105,000 mi
Show 5 more owner reports
“Took the car in for the yearly emission test and it did not pass. It states code p0462. Had the nissan dealer also check the vehicle and it also states that the fuel gauge is not working. Check engine light is on. Nissan is not returning back my calls and I received a possible recall noticed on january 2015. I am up for the emission test again and need to get this fixed so it can pass it. My plates will be suspended if it does not pass. Also when I fill up it the fuel gauge doesn't move up to full. I am afraid I might run out of gas so I am consistently putting gas.... Updated 09/03/15 *bf”2007 Nissan Quest · Mar 2015 · 127,000 mi
“There is no accident yet and wish not to happen anything like that. The car's fuel level gauge is malfunction since this month, december 2014 and I got a code for p0462. I found that it is very common troublesome in nissan vehicles and many of their models are in recall but not 2007 nissan quest yet. I also learned that this vehicle is under investigate for this matter. Please process it soon. *tr”2007 Nissan Quest · Dec 2014 · 999,200 mi
“Driving on the garden state parkway my car began to sputter and suddenly shut off. After safely making my way to the shoulder I determined that I had run out of fuel, even though the fuel gauge registered 1/4 tank full. The fuel gauge has not registered an accurate reading since. I have researched this problem and have found it to a common problem (http://forums.nicoclub.com/m45-fuel-gauge-problem-post-here-if-you-have-had-it-t316682.html?hilit=p0462%20dtc). I have not found a recall for this defect. The problem is currently unresolved. *tr”2004 Infiniti M45 · Jun 2010 · 68,250 mi
“2005 nissan pathfinder; fuel gauge issues. The fuel gauge is erratic, inaccurate, or inoperative. In addition, the "check engine light" is 'on' with dtc code of p0461, p0462, or p0463 stored in self-diagnosis. Nissan technical service bulletin #ntb07-069a. *tr”2005 Nissan Pathfinder · May 2009 · 50,370 mi
“I have a 2003 nissan sentra gxe 1.8 l. My car has cut off or will not stop properly since the incident date. I took the car to autozone and the error that came up where p0462 and p0335. I checked the with the haynes book and to correct the p0462 problem I have to replace the fuel pump and p0335 is the crankshaft sensor. I have noticed that many of the complaints of the website are the for the same problems I am having. I also called nissan consumer hotline was told my VIN does not fall within the recall and I have same size engine for the recall. I feel because my sentra is cheapest model of the sentra's that is reason it is not apart of the recall. *tr”2003 Nissan Sentra · Feb 2009 · 94,634 mi
Cars that report P0462 most often
Based on mentions of this code in NHTSA owner complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P0462?
Yes - expect the gauge to read empty or the low-fuel light to stay on.
How much does it cost to fix P0462?
Typical US repair costs range from $80 for the simplest fix (wiring repair) to $700 in the worst case. The right number depends on which cause your car has - see the causes list.
Related codes
The codes closest to P0462. 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.