P0520: Engine Oil Pressure Sensor/Switch A Circuit

A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.

Fix within weeks

Cautiously and briefly - you have lost trustworthy oil pressure information.

$60 - $300

typical repair range

NHTSA complaints mention this code

55,500

median mileage when reported, mi

Symptoms

Oil pressure gauge erratic or zero
Oil light flickering without other symptoms

Likely causes, most common first

Oil pressure sender failed (common)
Wiring fault
Actual oil pressure problem (must be ruled out first)

Read P0520 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

P0520 means the oil pressure sensor circuit is out of range. Nine times out of ten it is the sender - but the tenth time is an engine running out of oil pressure, and the difference is an engine's life.

The non-negotiable first step is a mechanical gauge screwed into the sender port: verify real pressure, then replace the sender with a clear conscience. Any shop does this in half an hour.

Repair options and cost

Mechanical pressure verification$60 - $150

Oil pressure sender$100 - $300

Typical US independent-shop ranges, parts and labor. Dealers run higher; regional labor rates vary.

Owner reports mentioning P0520

“In 2019 my engine light went on with code p0520 - oil pressure sensor. I replaced the oil pressure sensor and the engine light came back on a month later with the same code p0520, so I replaced the oil pressure sensor for a second time. Less than a month later I began getting a generic code p06dd. I have sense replaced the oil pressure sensor a 3rd time along with the oil filter housing and oil pump. It was fine for about a week but then code p0520 - oil pressure sensor returned. There issue is not mechanical and no one has been mechanical as all of the parts associated with the code have been replaced repeatedly. Nobody is able to resolve it and I cannot pass inspection until they do.”2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee · Jul 2020 · 95,000 mi

“A few weeks after getting my oil changed I was driving when the check engine light came on. I took it to auto zone and ran a diagnostic on the vehicle. The result was a code p0520 which indicates a fault in the engine oil pressure sensor/switch electrical circuit for a predetermined period of time. Most likely solution is to replace the oil pressure switch.”2014 Chrysler Town And Country · Jun 2020 · 56,620 mi

“Check engine light gave a code p0520 so an oil pressure switch was installed and a front crank seal so that was replaced at vehicle mileage 51,722. 2014 trailhawk still leaking oil so oil pan gasket repaired. Still leaking oil so different mechanic ordered an oil filter housin component to fix. He said many oil filter housings in jeep cherokees have had these replaced!! Smelled oil while driving and saw oil drops on garage floor. These oil filter housings should be recalled and I should be reimbursed. I've spent over $1500 to fix an oil leak because mechanics misdiagnosed. Dealership mechanics should be aware of these inferior parts!”2014 Jeep Cherokee · May 2020 · 51,722 mi

Show 7 more owner reports

“Vehicle showing cel (check engine light) with no performance issues noted. Code read and shows p0520 related to the oil pressure sensor switch. After reviewing forums, determined that a tsb exists but no recall although the design of the unit has been changed due to defect. Replacing this unit took a considerable amount of time and effort as a large amount of the top half of the motor has to be removed to reveal the sensor. Replaced and vehicle has been operating free of the cel since that time and accurate oil pressure readings are being received. Without the repair, the vehicle cannot pass a nys safety inspection and features of the vehicle are disabled.”2014 Jeep Wrangler · Jan 2020 · 98,000 mi

“When a passenger gets in the pasenger seat the air bag and no seatbelt comes on blinking and dinging the whole time I am driving. Today my check engine light came on so I took it to auto zone and had the codes read adn it came up with the following p0520 engine oil pressure sensor/switch circuit and code u0140 lost communication with body control module.”2013 Dodge Dart · Nov 2019 · 2,000 mi

“Engine light came on. P0520 default code re oil pressure sensor/switch. In researching this issue, it appears that despite numerous complaints by others for exact same issue, no recall by jeep. My mechanic also noted this is a very common issue for jeep. Jeep customers are having to pay out of pocket for this very expensive repair. Jeep needs to issue a recall and reimburse for this repair.”2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee · Feb 2019 · 77,000 mi

“Check engine light came on. Had computer scanned. Code p0520 engine oil sensor failure was detected. Called jeep warranty department and they said the repair was not covered by powertrain warranty. This sensor is located under the plenum and intake manifold which bolts to the engine heads. This vehicle only has 30,000 miles on it.”2014 Jeep Cherokee · Nov 2018 · 30,450 mi

“P0520 - engine oil pressure sensor circuit. Tsb- 18-034-14 rev.a issued: 07/15/147 there has been problems with the sensor for years, multiple forums with complaints related to this issue in not only jeep, but many chrysler 3.6 liter engines. The additional trouble with jeep is it is not an easy fix the whole manifold has to be removed to be able to switch out the part. It is a 4 hour labor charge just to replace, as well as, many have been replaced and had problem recur.”2014 Jeep Wrangler · Sep 2018 · 62,000 mi

“Check engine light appeared despite all scheduled maintenance having been conducted as recommended. Check engine light is p0520 engine oil pressure sensor/switch "a" circuit. Seemingly this is a faulty sensor/switch which has occurred in 12% of durango vehicles of the manufacturer year of 2014.”2014 Dodge Durango · Sep 2018 · 56,000 mi

“Engine oil pressure sensor/switch is circuit is malfunction. (obd fault code p0520 ) keeps on going on for a few days then off for for a few days. Even right after an oil change performed by the dealer. This have been ongoing for about the past 2 years. Approx. $400 to repair and the part cost on $40-$60.”2014 Jeep Cherokee · Jul 2018 · 45,000 mi

Cars that report P0520 most often

Based on mentions of this code in NHTSA owner complaints.

Frequently asked questions

Can I drive with P0520?

Cautiously and briefly - you have lost trustworthy oil pressure information.

How much does it cost to fix P0520?

Typical US repair costs range from $60 for the simplest fix (mechanical pressure verification) to $300 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.