P0716: Input/Turbine Shaft Speed Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance
A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.
Drive gently to a shop - shift quality and safety strategies depend on this signal.
Symptoms
- Harsh or erratic shifts
- Speedometer normal but transmission confused
- Limp mode in some conditions
Likely causes, most common first
- Input speed sensor failing
- Debris on the sensor or its tone ring
- Wiring or connector fault
- Internal transmission wear producing genuine speed irregularity
Read P0716 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
P0716 means the input shaft speed signal is present but irregular. The transmission computer compares input speed to output speed constantly - that ratio is how it knows which gear is actually engaged and whether the clutches are holding.
Metal debris clinging to the sensor tip is a finding worth taking seriously rather than simply cleaning away. Fine steel particles on a magnetic sensor mean something inside the transmission is wearing, and a fluid and filter inspection at the same time tells you whether this is a sensor job or an early warning.
Repair options and cost
Typical US independent-shop ranges, parts and labor. Dealers run higher; regional labor rates vary.
Owner reports mentioning P0716
“Was driving vehicle on highway and suddenly and rapidly lost all ability to accelerate. Warning lights on dash ALL came on simultaneously only after acceleration was lost. Inability to accelerate was extremely dangerous in middle of other highway traffic, but safely pulled to side of road only because of careful driving and luck. Upon inspection, auto service confirmed they verified concern P0716 system needs to update and keyless control was faulty. Recall one month subsequent to event does not seem to include my car, although description of failure sounds potentially similar. Still waiting full repair of vehicle.”2016 Acura MDX · Oct 2023
“vehicle died/lost power on interstate traveling near 75mph in heavy traffic. warning lights on dash came on. trying to maneuver through traffic to get to the side of the road was very dangerous. car taken to dealership and had a P0716 CODE stored in the computer. was told that there was a TSB for the issue but it was no longer in effect. they said it needed a TCM update. this is not an TSB issue but is a safety issue that should be addressed with a recall.”2016 Honda Pilot · Aug 2023
“The transmission has intermittent harsh or jerky upshifts with steady acceleration, or the MIL comes on with DTC P0716. Abnormal TCM adaptation values or a miscalculation in the TCM software causes the MIL to come on with DTC P0716. The harsh upshifts cause a momentary driver distraction which may cause an accident.”2018 Honda Odyssey · Oct 2022
Show 4 more owner reports
“P1dab-00,u1412,p0716. Vehicle has shown codes above for 5 plus months. Codes cause vehicle to shift between gear randomly. I have taken vehicle to dealership but probably was not resolved; the dealership stated the problem was the speed sensor, so the switched them out only to find out later it was not the problem. Vehicle is unsafe; on one occasion the vehicle shift from the 8th gear to the 3rd while on the freeway almost causing an accident. Please resolve issue before someone is gravely injured.”2019 Dodge Challenger · Dec 2020 · 31,000 mi
“Check engine light came on and I started having erractic shifting, codes came back as po755, p0700, p0716, p1607. This vehicle's transmission will not shift. I have taken to numerous shops half of them say it the pcm the other say it needs a transmission replacement. I have had the shift solenoid b replaced by dealership only for them to charge me then tell me it need a transmission replacement. The vehicle will still drive forward and backward but will not shift gears at all. Losses acceleration every so often then harsely goes back into gear while in motion. Rpm is very high but will still drive.”2010 Chrysler Sebring · Aug 2018 · 179,000 mi
“Http://repairpal.com/transmission-fault-andor-check-engine-light-with-code-p0716-p0776-p0717-p0777-p2714-p2715-an-567 how is the transmission not being recalled! Someone is going to get seriously hurt. Does it take a death before anything is done? Good grief!! *tr”2008 Saturn Vue · Sep 2014 · 74,000 mi
“Vehicle has a delayed shift into 3rd and 5th gear, with a vibration felt in those gears. Found codes p0717 p0716 for input speed sensor on transmission. It is believed the vehicle has a broken 35r wave plate and need to tare down to inspect or replace transmission at only 63,000 miles. Extremely common problem on these vehicles (please refer to gmc acadia forums online everywhere for other victims). *js”2008 GMC Acadia · Sep 2013 · 63,000 mi
Cars that report P0716 most often
Based on mentions of this code in NHTSA owner complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P0716?
Drive gently to a shop - shift quality and safety strategies depend on this signal.
How much does it cost to fix P0716?
Typical US repair costs range from $100 for the simplest fix (input speed sensor) to $500 in the worst case. The right number depends on which cause your car has - see the causes list.
Related codes
The codes closest to P0716. 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.