P0160: O2 Sensor Circuit No Activity Detected (Bank 2, Sensor 2)

P0160 is a emissions-related diagnostic trouble code classified as moderate severity. When your vehicle's ECU detects this condition, it stores P0160 and illuminates the check engine light.

If your vehicle has triggered P0160, you may notice one or more of these symptoms:

• Check engine light illuminated
• Usually no noticeable change in how the car drives
• Slight reduction in fuel economy, only on engines that use this sensor to fine-tune the mixture
• Possible failed emissions test
• Live data shows the bank 2 downstream sensor stuck at one value or out of range

Here are the most common causes of P0160:

Generally yes, for short-term driving. Safe to drive short term. The downstream sensor does not directly control the fuel mixture, so the engine runs normally, but the engine computer loses its check on the bank 2 catalytic converter. Repair within a few weeks to keep the emissions diagnostics working.

Follow these steps to pinpoint the root cause of P0160:

1. Confirm which sensor the code means before buying parts: Bank 2 is the cylinder bank that does not contain cylinder 1, and Sensor 2 is the one after the catalytic converter. Check the cylinder numbering for your engine in the service information, because the side of the car bank 2 sits on is not the same on every engine
2. Read freeze frame data and check for companion heater codes (P0161, P0141) that would point to a power problem at the sensor
3. Inspect the Bank 2 Sensor 2 connector for disconnection, corrosion, water intrusion or melted plastic, especially if exhaust or gearbox work was done recently
4. Check live data for both downstream sensors. If the bank 1 downstream sensor is active and bank 2 is flat, the fault is in the bank 2 sensor or its own wiring, not the engine
5. Use a multimeter at the sensor connector to verify ground, heater power (battery voltage with the key on) and signal continuity back to the engine computer
6. If the wiring tests good, unplug the sensor and measure heater resistance directly. Healthy: 2-15 ohms. Open circuit: burned-out heater, and the sensor needs replacing
7. If a new sensor still shows no activity, check the signal wire for opens or shorts between the sensor and the engine computer

Repair costs for P0160 vary depending on the root cause and your vehicle. Here are typical estimates:

P0160 behaves differently depending on your vehicle. Select your car below for model-specific causes and known issues:

These codes are often seen alongside P0160 or indicate related issues: