Can I drive with P0473?

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 P0473 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 P0473. 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 P0473?

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.

P0473: Exhaust Pressure Sensor "A" Circuit High

Quick Answer

Safe to drive (short-term)

P0473 means the voltage from exhaust pressure sensor "A" has risen above the highest value its circuit should produce. That is an electrical fault: usually an open circuit in the sensor ground or signal wire, an unplugged or corroded connector, a short to voltage 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 P0473 mean?

P0473 is a emissions-related diagnostic trouble code classified as moderate severity. When your vehicle's ECU detects this condition, it stores P0473 and illuminates the check engine light.

What are the symptoms of P0473?

If your vehicle has triggered P0473, 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 P0473?

Here are the most common causes of P0473:

Open circuit in the sensor ground or signal wire
: high
Connector unplugged, not latched or corroded
: high
Failed exhaust pressure sensor
: medium
Signal wire shorted to a voltage supply
: medium
Wrong or incompatible replacement sensor fitted
: low
Engine computer input fault (rare)
: low

Is it safe to drive with P0473?

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 P0473?

Follow these steps to pinpoint the root cause of P0473:

Read all stored codes and the freeze frame. Note any DPF codes (P2452 to P2455, P244A, P244B or P2463) stored alongside, because a loaded filter changes the plan. 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.
Check that the sensor connector is plugged in and latched, especially after recent work near the engine or exhaust, then unplug it and inspect 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 ground that does not read close to 0 V points to a broken ground wire.
Check the signal wire for continuity back to the engine computer and for a short to voltage, and follow the harness past the turbo, exhaust pipes and DPF looking for melted or broken 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 P0473 cost to fix?

Repair costs for P0473 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.

P0473 on specific vehicles

P0473 behaves differently depending on your vehicle. Select your car below for model-specific causes and known issues:

P0473 on Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf TDI

See Volkswagen-specific causes & cost

These codes are often seen alongside P0473 or indicate related issues:

Common questions about P0473

What does P0473 mean?: P0473 means the signal from exhaust pressure sensor "A" is too high, above what the circuit can normally produce. It is an electrical fault, usually an open circuit, an unplugged connector, a short to voltage 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 P0473?: 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 P0473 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 P0473. 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 P0473?: 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.

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