P0507: Idle Control System RPM - Higher Than Expected
A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.
Yes - annoying rather than dangerous; high idle wastes fuel and feels wrong.
Symptoms
- Idle noticeably higher than normal (often 1000+ rpm)
- Idle hangs when coming to a stop
Likely causes, most common first
- Vacuum leak raising idle beyond control authority
- Carbon or damage around the throttle plate
- Lost idle relearn after battery disconnect or cleaning
Read P0507 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
P0507 means idle rpm is higher than commanded - the computer is trying to bring it down and cannot. Extra air is the villain: through a leak, past a fouled throttle plate, or because a relearn was skipped after service.
If this appeared right after a battery change or throttle cleaning, run the relearn before anything else - many cars need a formal procedure to re-establish idle baselines, and the fix costs nothing but ten minutes.
Repair options and cost
Typical US independent-shop ranges, parts and labor. Dealers run higher; regional labor rates vary.
Owner reports mentioning P0507
“- started shutting shutting off at while in drive. - started having reduced power - started idiling high while driving - initially there was no codes - last night I drove, I put in drive gear but it was delayed so I had to keep moving from park to drive for it to full go into drive - the codes came P0325 P0505 P0507 P0700 P1101 P2714 After I was driving up an incline the car stopped moving forward and started reversing backwards. One other independent shop advised they were able to produce but couldn't figure out the problem because no code were shown at the time. There has been many people having the same issues I started off with and I found the forum to file a report .”2019 Chevrolet Malibu · Nov 2025
“Code P0507 Keep causing engine light to turn on. Replaced air filter, MAP sensor, and had throttle body relearned. Also, Alternator was said to not be working after car stalled. Alternator is not working again 1 month after proper replacement of alternator and serpentine belt. Put at risk due to stalling. Available for inspection upon request Vehicle has not been inspected at the dealership due to no appointment slots available until may 2023 No warning prior to engine light coming on and incident happened multiple times prior to engine light coming on.”2018 Kia Soul · Jan 2023
“Coding P0507 Idle air control system Rpm higher than expected P0441 Evaporator emissions incorrect purge flow P0420 Catalyst system below threshold”2018 Hyundai Sonata · Nov 2020
Show 4 more owner reports
“When fueling gas pump automatically shuts off not letting gasoline into fuel pump. When half a tank of gasoline is left in car it automatically goes down to empty on fuel gauge. Egr valve problem, rpm too high when idled, feel like car slows down on own when driving on highway. Engine light on with p0507 code: idle air control system rpm higher than expected and p1861 fuel line disconnected”2004 Chrysler Pacifica · May 2018 · 195,900 mi
“Rough idling at stopping position, stalling, cutting off in traffic, check engine light, code p0507 idle air control valve throttle body. Car cutting off in traffic while shifting down”2015 Ford Focus · Sep 2017 · 15 mi
“I currently have a check engine light, I scanned and pulled the code with my own personal scanner the code was p0507 (idle air control valve) the code was cleared, now another code is being thrown which is the tps(throttle position sensor) and the iats(intake air temp sensor bank 1) I heard that nissian had a recall on this matter so I researched it with my VIN number and nothing showed up. I heard the ecu needs to be reprogrammed and the problem will be fixed. This matter needs to be attended to before something more serious happens to me or my family while driving this vehicle.”2006 Nissan Altima · Sep 2015 · 147,000 mi
“Lost of power while trying to accelerate from stop.. "engine service soon light" came on!! P2135 tp sensor code found. Replaced part by nissan still did not fix the problem.. Not it surges when trying to accelerate.. P0507 isc code found.. Nissan refused to change the computer at this time.*ak new car should not have these kind of problem.. Nissan had failed to make recall for this part.. All 2004 nissan atlmia has this problem.. Force nissan to fix all cars or take back all 2004 models.”2004 Nissan Altima · Aug 2004
Cars that report P0507 most often
Based on mentions of this code in NHTSA owner complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P0507?
Yes - annoying rather than dangerous; high idle wastes fuel and feels wrong.
How much does it cost to fix P0507?
Typical US repair costs range from $0 for the simplest fix (idle relearn procedure) to $400 in the worst case. The right number depends on which cause your car has - see the causes list.
Definition per SAE J2012 standard nomenclature. Symptoms, causes and costs are editorial guidance - always confirm with a diagnosis of your specific vehicle.