The Quick Answer above is the generic definition. What follows is the model-specific detail for the Nissan models that log P0133.
DTC/P0133·Nissan
P0133 on Nissan: Causes, Symptoms and Fix Cost
Quick Answer
Moderate SeveritySafe to drive (short-term)Nissan
P0133 on a Nissan means the upstream oxygen sensor on bank 1 (before the catalytic converter) still produces a signal, but it reacts too slowly when the mixture changes. The engine computer times how quickly the sensor follows its own rich and lean fuel corrections and sets the code when the response is too sluggish. An aged or contaminated sensor is the usual cause, but an exhaust leak, an intake air leak or a weak sensor heater can produce the same result.
Typical repair cost, all makes€45 - €400
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Nissan Qashqai
2007-2013On the first-generation Qashqai with the HR16DE 1.6 petrol, heated oxygen sensor 1 is a conventional zirconia sensor in the exhaust manifold that swings between about 1 V (rich) and 0 V (lean). The engine control module times how fast it cycles, corrected for engine load and sensor temperature, and sets P0133 when that cycling time is too long.
Nissan Altima
2007-2012The QR25DE Altima uses an air-fuel ratio (A/F) sensor, a planar wide-range sensor heated to around 800°C, instead of a switching sensor. Nissan's service manual measures how quickly the A/F signal responds, corrected for engine operating conditions and sensor temperature, and sets P0133 when that response time is too long; its checks include intake and exhaust leaks, fuel pressure, the MAF sensor and the PCV valve.
What causes P0133 on a Nissan?
Beyond the generic causes listed on the main P0133 page, these are the patterns noted for Nissan models:
Nissan QashqaiAged heated oxygen sensor 1 cycling too slowly
Nissan QashqaiExhaust leak at the manifold ahead of the sensor
Nissan AltimaSlow A/F sensor 1 response from ageing or contamination
Nissan AltimaIntake air leak, exhaust leak or incorrect fuel pressure upsetting the mixture
How to diagnose P0133 on a Nissan with OBD2
Follow these steps to pinpoint the root cause of P0133:
- Read every stored code and the freeze frame. Fix lean or rich fuel trim codes, misfires, MAF faults and oxygen sensor heater codes first, because each of them can make a healthy sensor look slow
- Find out whether your engine has a narrowband or a wideband (air-fuel ratio) sensor in this position, because the two behave very differently on a scan tool
- On a narrowband sensor, hold a fully warm engine at 2,000 to 2,500 rpm and watch the signal. It should swing several times a second between below 0.2 V and above 0.8 V, with quick transitions. A lazy, rounded wave with few swings fits P0133. A generic OBD2 reader samples too slowly to judge switching speed precisely, so treat what you see as a rough guide; a lab scope or the manufacturer's software shows it properly
- On a wideband sensor, snap the throttle open and closed on a warm engine and watch the lambda value: it should move promptly toward rich and then lean. A reading that drifts slowly back to 1.00 supports a slow sensor
- Check for exhaust leaks ahead of the sensor (ticking at the manifold on a cold start, soot trails at the gasket) and for intake leaks with a smoke test, including the PCV valve and its hoses
- Check the sensor heater: the fuse, the heater resistance across the heater pins with the sensor unplugged, and the heater feed voltage with the key on
- If everything else checks out, replace the sensor with one that matches the original part number, clear the code and drive a full warm-up cycle. The oxygen sensor monitor result appears in the readiness status, and on many cars in the Mode 06 test results, once it has run
How much does P0133 cost to fix on a Nissan? (EUR)
Estimated repair costs for P0133 in EUR, compiled across makes. Nissan costs typically sit in the middle of each range.
Prices estimated as of March 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.
Codes related to P0133
These codes are often seen alongside P0133 or point to related issues, on any make:
Looking for the full P0133 reference (all makes, full diagnosis flow, complete repair cost matrix)?
See the main P0133 guideSkanyx · Nissan
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