P0060 on Volkswagen: Causes, Symptoms and Fix Cost
Quick Answer
Safe to drive (short-term)
P0060 on a Volkswagen means the engine computer found the heater resistance of the rear oxygen sensor on bank 2 outside its expected range. That is the sensor after the catalytic converter on the cylinder bank without cylinder 1, so the code only exists on V6, V8 and flat engines. The sensor still reads exhaust gas once the pipe is hot, but its heater has aged, its plug has corroded or a wire has high resistance. A new rear sensor on this bank typically costs about 100 to 310 EUR fitted.
- Severity
- Low · Emissions
- Typical repair cost, all makes
- €1-€310
Connect a standard OBD2 adapter (Bluetooth LE on iPhone) to your Volkswagen and Skanyx tells you what P0060 means on that engine, whether it is safe to keep driving, and what the fix should cost. Free on iPhone and Android.
Get Skanyx freeWhat does P0060 mean on a Volkswagen?
The Quick Answer above is the generic definition. What follows is the model-specific detail for the Volkswagen models that log P0060.
Volkswagen Passat B6 (3.2 VR6 FSI)
2005-2010
The B6 Passat was sold with a 3.2 VR6 FSI (engine code AXZ), which has two cylinder banks and so a bank 2 rear sensor. Ross-Tech's page for the VW Group bank 2 sensor 2 heater fault (17607 / P1199) notes that on V6 engines the B1S2 and B2S2 heaters may share a ground through the engine computer, so check the wiring diagram for that shared ground before replacing a sensor.
Source: wiki.ross-tech.com, en.wikipedia.org
Sources
- wiki.ross-tech.com wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/17607
- en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Passat_(B6)
What causes P0060 on a Volkswagen?
Beyond the generic causes listed on the main P0060 page, these are the patterns noted for Volkswagen models:
Failed heater in the bank 2 rear sensor
: Volkswagen Passat B6 (3.2 VR6 FSI)
Shared ground or wiring fault affecting both rear heaters
: Volkswagen Passat B6 (3.2 VR6 FSI)
How to diagnose P0060 on a Volkswagen with OBD2
- Identify bank 2 from the engine diagram: it is the side without cylinder 1, and sensor 2 is the one after the catalytic converter
- Compare with any bank 1 code. P0054 on the other side too suggests a shared fuse or supply; a bank 2 fault alone points at that bank's sensor or wire
- Test the heater fuse named in the fuse box diagram, then unplug the sensor and measure the heater pins against the resistance your car's service data gives
- Inspect the plug for corrosion, burnt plastic and loose pins. Rear sensors sit low and take road spray, so water in the connector is common
- With the key on, check supply voltage at the harness plug and continuity of the heater control wire to the engine computer
- On V6 engines check the wiring diagram for a ground shared by the two rear sensor heaters. A fault there can set heater codes on both banks together
- Fit a sensor with the original heater specification, clear the code and complete a cold-start drive cycle before judging the result
How much does P0060 cost to fix on a Volkswagen? (EUR)
Estimated repair costs for P0060 in EUR, compiled across makes. Expect Volkswagen parts and labour towards the upper end of each range.
| Repair | Parts Cost | Labor Cost | Total Estimate | DIY Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Replace sensor heater fuse | €1–€3 | €0–€0 | €1–€3 | Easy |
| Clean or replace sensor connector | €5–€25 | €30–€80 | €35–€105 | Moderate |
| Repair wiring | €5–€20 | €40–€120 | €45–€140 | Moderate |
| Replace rear oxygen sensor (Bank 2, Sensor 2) | €50–€180 | €50–€130 | €100–€310 | Moderate |
| Workshop diagnosis (supply, ground and heater checks) | €0–€0 | €60–€120 | €60–€120 | Professional |
Prices estimated as of October 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.
Codes related to P0060
These codes are often seen alongside P0060 or point to related issues, on any make:
Looking for the full P0060 reference (all makes, full diagnosis flow, complete repair cost matrix)? See the main P0060 guide