P220E code meaning
NOx Sensor Heater Control Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 1 Sensor 1)
Powertrain system Generic code P22xx codes Check engine light
What P220E means
P220E says the heater of the upstream NOx sensor on bank 1 is not behaving as commanded. Ford's 6.7L and 3.0L diesels bundle several checks under it: an open heater found by the sensor hardware, a short to positive (over 5 V on the heater), a short to ground (0 V), and a duty cycle that differs from the expected one by more than 20 percent. Ford TSBs 24-2136 and 24-2148 cover 2020-2023 F-Super Duty and F-650/F-750 trucks with P220E alongside P2201 and P2209, fixed with a new sensor plus PCM and TCM software. Volvo and Mack state that P220E with failure type 93 usually calls for a new inlet sensor. P2205-P2207 are the plain heater circuit faults, P220F the downstream sensor.
P220E at a glance
- Check engine lightYes, usually on
- Emissions testCan fail
- Limp modeNot expected
- Repair difficultyMedium
- Typical labor0.7 to 3 hours
- Clears after repairAfter a drive cycle
Symptoms of P220E
- Malfunction indicator lamp on
- Upstream NOx sensor slow to become ready after start
- Often stored with P2201 or P2209
Common causes of P220E
- Most likelyAged heater element in the upstream NOx probe
- PossibleSensor and PCM software (Ford 6.7L 2020-2023, TSB 24-2136/24-2148)
- PossibleHeater wiring or ground with high resistance or shorts
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Nox sensorNox sensor heater
What each part of P220E means
| P | Powertrain system: engine, fuel system, ignition, emissions and transmission. |
| 2 | Generic code (second SAE range): it means the same on every make. |
| 2 | Area: fuel and air metering (injector circuit). |
| 0E | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P220E 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 P220E
What does P220E mean?
P220E means "NOx Sensor Heater Control Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 1 Sensor 1)". P220E says the heater of the upstream NOx sensor on bank 1 is not behaving as commanded. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P220E?
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 P220E fail an emissions test?
Yes, it can. P220E 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 P220E to fix?
Difficulty: medium. A typical repair takes 0.7 to 3 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P220E 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.