Can I drive with P0472?

Yes, for a short while. The engine usually runs normally, though some cars limit power. The risk is that the engine stops regenerating the particulate filter while it cannot trust the sensor, so soot keeps building up. Get the circuit fixed within a week or two.

Is P0472 a DPF pressure sensor fault?

On many Volkswagen group TDIs, yes: the sensor Volkswagen calls exhaust pressure sensor 1 is the DPF differential pressure sensor, and it can set P0472. Many other makes report a DPF pressure sensor fault as P2452 to P2455 instead, and use exhaust pressure sensor "A" for a separate back pressure sensor. Check the workshop information for your engine before buying a part.

What is the difference between P0472 and P0473?

Both are electrical faults on exhaust pressure sensor "A". P0472 means the signal voltage is too low, usually a short to ground, a missing 5 V reference or a shorted sensor. P0473 means it is too high, usually an open circuit in the ground or signal wire, an unplugged connector or a short to voltage. P0470 is the general circuit code and P0471 means the signal is electrically fine but implausible.

How much does it cost to fix P0472?

A new exhaust pressure sensor costs 70 to 230 euros fitted, and it is a simple job on most cars. A connector repair runs 70 to 240 euros and a wiring repair 140 to 470 euros. Add 30 to 80 euros if the sensor needs adapting with diagnostic software, and 60 to 150 euros for a forced regeneration if soot built up in the meantime.

P0472: Exhaust Pressure Sensor "A" Circuit Low

Quick Answer

Safe to drive (short-term)

P0472 means the voltage from exhaust pressure sensor "A" has dropped below the lowest value its circuit should produce. That is an electrical fault: usually a signal wire shorted to ground, a missing 5 V reference supply or a failed sensor, not a problem with the exhaust itself. What sensor "A" measures depends on the engine: on many diesels it is an exhaust back pressure sensor before the turbo or the particulate filter, and on many Volkswagen group TDIs it is the DPF differential pressure sensor, the part that tells the engine how full of soot the filter is.

Severity: Moderate · Emissions
Estimated repair cost: From €30 to €470+, varies by vehicle

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What does P0472 mean?

P0472 is a emissions-related diagnostic trouble code classified as moderate severity. When your vehicle's ECU detects this condition, it stores P0472 and illuminates the check engine light.

What are the symptoms of P0472?

If your vehicle has triggered P0472, you may notice one or more of these symptoms:

Check engine light on
Often no change in how the car drives at first
DPF warning light on some models, sometimes appearing later because regeneration has stopped
Reduced power or limp mode on some vehicles
Higher fuel consumption if the engine falls back on an estimated value
P0470 stored alongside on some cars

What causes P0472?

Here are the most common causes of P0472:

Failed exhaust pressure sensor with an internal short
: high
Missing 5 V reference supply, sometimes pulled down by another sensor on the same supply
: high
Signal wire chafed or heat-damaged and shorted to ground
: medium
Corroded or wet connector at the sensor
: medium
Wrong or incompatible replacement sensor fitted
: low
Engine computer input fault (rare)
: low

Is it safe to drive with P0472?

Generally yes, for short-term driving. Driveable in the short term, and the car often feels normal at first. Do not leave it for weeks: without a trustworthy exhaust pressure signal the engine computer may suspend particulate filter regeneration or fall back on an estimate, and some cars limit power. A filter that goes too long without regenerating can block, which turns a sensor, hose or wiring repair into a DPF clean or replacement.

How do you diagnose P0472?

Follow these steps to pinpoint the root cause of P0472:

Read all stored codes and the freeze frame. If other sensors on the same 5 V supply report low-input codes at the same time, look for one shorted sensor or wire pulling the shared reference down. Note any DPF codes (P2452 to P2455, P244A, P244B or P2463) stored alongside. A generic OBD2 reader shows this code, its freeze frame and standard live data. A few diesels also report exhaust or DPF pressure on a standard PID, but on most cars the pressure reading, the soot load and the regeneration history need manufacturer-level software, and only that software or a workshop can run a forced regeneration or adapt a new sensor.
Find out which sensor is exhaust pressure sensor "A" on your engine: a back pressure sensor near the exhaust manifold or turbo, a sensor before the particulate filter, or on many Volkswagen group TDIs the DPF differential pressure sensor. Check the workshop information for your engine code before buying a part.
Unplug the sensor and inspect the connector for corrosion, water and pushed-back pins.
With the key on and the engine off, measure the 5 V reference and the ground at the connector. A missing reference points to the wiring, another sensor on the same supply or the engine computer, not the sensor.
Check the signal wire for a short to ground, especially where the harness passes the turbo, exhaust pipes or DPF, and look for melted or chafed insulation.
If the circuit tests good, replace the sensor with the correct part for the engine code, run the sensor adaptation if the engine computer asks for one, clear the code and road-test. If soot built up while the sensor was out, a forced regeneration may be needed afterwards.

How much does P0472 cost to fix?

Repair costs for P0472 vary depending on the root cause and your vehicle. Here are typical estimates:

Repair	Parts Cost	Labor Cost	Total Estimate	DIY Difficulty
Replace exhaust pressure sensor	€40–€150	€30–€80	€70–€230	Easy
Clean and repair sensor connector	€10–€60	€60–€180	€70–€240	Moderate
Repair sensor wiring harness section	€20–€120	€120–€350	€140–€470	Professional
Adapt or relearn a new sensor with diagnostic software (where required)	€0–€0	€30–€80	€30–€80	Professional
Forced DPF regeneration if soot built up meanwhile	€0–€0	€60–€150	€60–€150	Professional

Prices estimated as of March 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.

P0472 on specific vehicles

P0472 behaves differently depending on your vehicle. Select your car below for model-specific causes and known issues:

P0472 on Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf TDI

See Volkswagen-specific causes & cost

These codes are often seen alongside P0472 or indicate related issues:

Common questions about P0472

What does P0472 mean?: P0472 means the signal from exhaust pressure sensor "A" is too low, below what the circuit can normally produce. It is an electrical fault, usually a wire shorted to ground, a missing 5 V reference or a failed sensor. Depending on the engine, the sensor measures exhaust back pressure or, on many Volkswagen group TDIs, the pressure across the diesel particulate filter.
Can I drive with P0472?: Yes, for a short while. The engine usually runs normally, though some cars limit power. The risk is that the engine stops regenerating the particulate filter while it cannot trust the sensor, so soot keeps building up. Get the circuit fixed within a week or two.
Is P0472 a DPF pressure sensor fault?: On many Volkswagen group TDIs, yes: the sensor Volkswagen calls exhaust pressure sensor 1 is the DPF differential pressure sensor, and it can set P0472. Many other makes report a DPF pressure sensor fault as P2452 to P2455 instead, and use exhaust pressure sensor "A" for a separate back pressure sensor. Check the workshop information for your engine before buying a part.
What is the difference between P0472 and P0473?: Both are electrical faults on exhaust pressure sensor "A". P0472 means the signal voltage is too low, usually a short to ground, a missing 5 V reference or a shorted sensor. P0473 means it is too high, usually an open circuit in the ground or signal wire, an unplugged connector or a short to voltage. P0470 is the general circuit code and P0471 means the signal is electrically fine but implausible.
How much does it cost to fix P0472?: A new exhaust pressure sensor costs 70 to 230 euros fitted, and it is a simple job on most cars. A connector repair runs 70 to 240 euros and a wiring repair 140 to 470 euros. Add 30 to 80 euros if the sensor needs adapting with diagnostic software, and 60 to 150 euros for a forced regeneration if soot built up in the meantime.

Read our detailed guides

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