P010E code meaning
Mass or Volume Air Flow Sensor B Circuit Intermittent/Erratic
Powertrain system Generic code P01xx codes Check engine light
What P010E means
Sensor B is a second mass air flow sensor in a second intake path, found on engines with two air filter boxes – for example the Nissan VR30DDTT twin-turbo V6 (where sensor B belongs to bank 2) or GM's 3.0 litre twin-turbo V6. P010E covers brief dropouts or jumps in the signal of sensor B without a lasting low or high fault, the counterpart of P0104. Ford's 2020–2023 gasoline summary sets it after more than 25 short open or short-circuit events; GM's twin-turbo V6 does not use it, and Ford does not state the trip count. The usual cause is a loose contact at the connector or a chafed wire that opens as the engine moves.
P010E at a glance
- Check engine lightYes, usually on
- Emissions testCan fail
- Limp modeNot expected
- Repair difficultyMedium, DIY possible
- Typical labor0.5 to 2 hours
- Clears after repairAfter a drive cycle
Symptoms of P010E
- Check engine light on, may come and go
- Occasional hesitation or stumble
- Intermittent loss of power
Common causes of P010E
- Most likelyLoose contact at the sensor B connector
- PossibleChafed or partly broken wire
- PossibleSensor B electronics dropping out
- Less likelyPoor ground or interference
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Mass air flow sensor bMass air flow sensor wiringSensor supply voltage
What each part of P010E means
| P | Powertrain system: engine, fuel system, ignition, emissions and transmission. |
| 0 | Generic code: it means the same on every make (SAE standard). |
| 1 | Area: fuel and air metering. |
| 0E | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P010E and any other codes stored with it: several codes together often point to one cause.
- Check for loose connectors and damaged wiring around the parts the code names.
- Check open recalls for your car: some faults are fixed for free by the dealer. Enter your VIN.
- Clear the code only after the repair. If it comes back, the fault is still there.
Buying a used car? Scan it for stored codes before you pay. A recently cleared memory can hide a problem.
Questions about P010E
What does P010E mean?
P010E means "Mass or Volume Air Flow Sensor B Circuit Intermittent/Erratic". Sensor B is a second mass air flow sensor in a second intake path, found on engines with two air filter boxes – for example the Nissan VR30DDTT twin-turbo V6 (where sensor B belongs to bank 2) or GM's 3.0 litre twin-turbo V6. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P010E?
Usually yes, for a short time, if the check engine light is steady and the car drives normally. If the light flashes or the car runs badly, stop and have it checked.
Will P010E fail an emissions test?
Yes, it can. P010E is emissions-related, so most inspection programs fail a car while it is stored or while the check engine light is on.
How hard is P010E to fix?
Difficulty: medium. A typical repair takes 0.5 to 2 hours of work. A careful DIY repair is possible with basic tools and a scanner.
Will P010E clear itself after the repair?
After the repair the car has to complete a drive cycle (a mix of city and highway driving) before the test runs again. Until then the readiness monitor shows "not ready", which can fail an inspection.