P0470: Exhaust Pressure Sensor A Circuit
A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.
Yes with care - on diesels this sensor guards the turbo and the particulate filter.
Symptoms
- Check engine light
- Reduced power on diesels
- Regeneration problems on trucks with particulate filters
Likely causes, most common first
- Exhaust pressure sensor failed
- Sensor hose blocked with soot or melted
- Wiring or connector fault
- Water frozen in the sensor line
Read P0470 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
P0470 is a fault in the exhaust back-pressure sensor, found mostly on diesels, where it supervises the variable-geometry turbo and, on newer trucks, the particulate filter. When its reading disappears, the engine computer gets conservative with boost, and the driver feels it as missing power.
The sensor itself is often fine. It reads pressure through a small metal or rubber line teed into the exhaust, and that line plugs with soot or - in a detail that surprises people - with frozen condensation on cold mornings. A fault that appears below freezing and clears by lunch is water in the line, not electronics.
Repair options and cost
Typical US independent-shop ranges, parts and labor. Dealers run higher; regional labor rates vary.
Owner reports mentioning P0470
“The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while his wife was driving 40 mph, the vehicle started to hesitate. The contact stated that the powertrain control P0470 code was displayed. The driver was able to continue driving to her residence. The contact made the local dealer aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V461000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,289.”2015 Dodge Grand Caravan · Aug 2021 · 88,289 mi
“Automatic transmission failing at 74000 miles as diagnosed by honda and independent transmission repair technician. Check engine light comes on while vehicle in motion. Code: p0470. Was advised will need complete transmission replacement very soon however honda dealer reluctant to admit it.”2001 Honda Civic · Jun 2016 · 73,000 mi
Cars that report P0470 most often
Based on mentions of this code in NHTSA owner complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P0470?
Yes with care - on diesels this sensor guards the turbo and the particulate filter.
How much does it cost to fix P0470?
Typical US repair costs range from $60 for the simplest fix (sensor hose replacement) 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 P0470. 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.