P244A: Diesel Particulate Filter Differential Pressure Too Low (Bank 1)
Quick Answer
Safe to drive (short-term)
P244A means the differential pressure sensor across the diesel particulate filter is reading below the expected range for the current engine load. The ECU expects some pressure differential because exhaust gas meets flow resistance from the filter substrate. A reading that is too low usually points to one of three things: the sensor itself is faulty or has a clogged pressure tube, the DPF has been physically removed (a delete), or there is an exhaust leak between the turbo and the DPF inlet.
- Severity
- Moderate · Emissions
- Estimated repair cost
- From €40 to €4000+, varies by vehicle
Scan your own car in about 60 seconds: see whether P244A is really what it has, how urgent it is, and what the fix should cost. Free on iPhone and Android with an ELM327 adapter (Bluetooth LE on iPhone).
Get Skanyx freeWhat does P244A mean?
P244A is a emissions-related diagnostic trouble code classified as moderate severity. When your vehicle's ECU detects this condition, it stores P244A and illuminates the check engine light.
Where it is on the car
- Exhaust temperature sensors
- Oxidation catalyst (DOC)
- Diesel particulate filter (DPF)
- DPF pressure sensor and its two tubes
- AdBlue line and injector
- SCR catalyst
What are the symptoms of P244A?
If your vehicle has triggered P244A, you may notice one or more of these symptoms:
- Check engine light
- Often no driveability symptoms if the sensor is at fault
- Possible "DPF regeneration not possible" warning on dash
- Loss of power if the ECU compensates by limiting boost
- On deleted DPFs: no symptoms beyond the light, sometimes louder exhaust note
What causes P244A?
Here are the most common causes of P244A:
Faulty DPF differential pressure sensor
: high
Clogged or disconnected pressure sensing tubes between DPF and sensor
: high
DPF physically removed (deleted) with the sensor still installed
: medium
Exhaust leak between the turbo outlet and the DPF inlet
: medium
Wiring or connector damage on the sensor circuit
: low
Is it safe to drive with P244A?
Generally yes, for short-term driving. Safe in the short term. The code itself does not affect driveability, but it points to either a sensor problem or a missing DPF. If the filter has been deleted, the car no longer matches the emissions type approval it was registered under, so expect it to be rejected at its periodic inspection and to hit registration problems, with the detail set by each country.
How do you diagnose P244A?
Follow these steps to pinpoint the root cause of P244A:
- With manufacturer-level software, read the DPF inlet pressure, outlet pressure or the calculated differential and compare them to the manufacturer specification at idle and under load (a generic OBD2 reader cannot show these on most cars). A near-zero reading across all load points points to a sensor or tube issue, not an exhaust flow issue
- Visually inspect the two pressure sensing tubes (a thin metal pipe and a rubber section on most diesels). Look for soot blockage, cracks, or a disconnected end. A blocked tube reads near zero regardless of actual pressure
- Confirm the DPF is physically present by inspecting the exhaust under the vehicle. A deleted DPF leaves a straight section of pipe where the canister used to be. This check takes a minute with a torch and is especially worth doing on a used car
- Test the differential pressure sensor with a multimeter. Reference voltage should be around 5 V, signal voltage should rise with engine load. A flat-line signal at low voltage confirms a failed sensor
- If the sensor and tubes are good and the DPF is present, look for an exhaust leak between the turbo outlet and the DPF inlet. A leak vents exhaust to atmosphere before it reaches the DPF, dropping the pressure differential
- With manufacturer-level software, check the DPF regeneration history. A car that has covered high mileage with a working filter normally has a long regeneration history; zero regenerations on a high-mileage car is a strong sign the filter has been deleted at the software level
How much does P244A cost to fix?
Repair costs for P244A vary depending on the root cause and your vehicle. Here are typical estimates:
| Repair | Parts Cost | Labor Cost | Total Estimate | DIY Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Replace DPF differential pressure sensor | €40–€150 | €30–€80 | €70–€230 | Easy |
| Clean blocked pressure sensing tubes | €0–€20 | €40–€120 | €40–€140 | Moderate |
| Repair exhaust leak before the DPF | €30–€150 | €60–€200 | €90–€350 | Moderate |
| Refit OEM or aftermarket DPF (if deleted) | €800–€3500 | €200–€500 | €1000–€4000 | Professional |
Prices estimated as of March 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.
Full repair guides
Engines known for this code
P244A on specific vehicles
P244A behaves differently depending on your vehicle. Select your car below for model-specific causes and known issues:
P244A on BMW
BMW 3 Series Diesel
P244A on Volkswagen
Volkswagen Passat TDI
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
2010-2024
The Sprinter OM651 and OM642 engines can develop P244A from soot accumulation in the pressure sensing tubes, particularly on vans that do mostly short urban work. The fix is often cleaning or replacing the tubes rather than the sensor itself.
Volvo
Volvo XC60 D5
2010-2024
On the Volvo D5 (D5244T, D5204T) diesels, a failed pressure sensor is a usual cause of P244A. The sensor is easy to access on the XC60, which keeps the repair inexpensive.
Related diagnostic codes
These codes are often seen alongside P244A or indicate related issues:
Common questions about P244A
- What does P244A mean on a diesel?
- P244A means the engine control unit is reading too little pressure difference across the diesel particulate filter. The DPF should always create some restriction in the exhaust flow. When the reading is too low, the usual explanations are a faulty pressure sensor, blocked pressure tubes, a deleted DPF, or an exhaust leak before the filter.
- Can I drive with P244A?
- Yes for short distances. The code does not affect engine safety or immediate driveability. The lit check engine light is still the kind of defect that gets a car rejected at its periodic inspection though, and a deleted DPF creates registration problems on top of that. Get the root cause diagnosed within a week.
- Does P244A mean my DPF has been deleted?
- Not always. A faulty pressure sensor or blocked pressure tubes are the more common explanation, and they are the cheapest repairs on this page, usually under 250 euros. A delete becomes likely if manufacturer-level software shows the regeneration counter at zero or very low on a high-mileage car or the soot mass pinned at zero across all driving conditions, or if you can see under the car that there is no DPF canister where there should be one.
- How much does the DPF differential pressure sensor cost in Europe?
- Aftermarket sensors from established OE suppliers run 40 to 150 euros for the part, plus 30 to 80 euros labour. Genuine dealer parts cost more. Sensor replacement is typically a short job for an independent shop, and DIY is reasonable on most vehicles with a basic socket set.
- Will P244A fail my emissions inspection?
- It can. Inspection rules are national, so the grading differs from country to country, but a lit warning lamp with a stored emissions code can be recorded as a deficiency, which may result in a failed inspection. If the underlying cause is a deleted DPF, refitting the filter is the only legal path forward, and it is normally required before the car can be re-registered.
Read our detailed guides
- Next stepHow to Find Out What Is Wrong With Your Car for 15 EurosA 15 euro Bluetooth adapter and a free phone app read the exact fault code a shop charges 30 to 100 euros to pull. Here is how to do it yourself in 5 minutes.
- How to Spot a Deleted DPF on a Used Diesel Before You BuyA removed diesel particulate filter is illegal in the EU and costs EUR 1,500 to 3,500 to refit. Six checks (three visual, three OBD2) catch it before you pay.
- OBD2 Red Flags When Buying a High-Mileage Imported DieselA 210,000 km imported diesel that looks too clean hides its faults in the OBD2 data. Here are the red flags a scan catches before you wire the money.
- How to Check a German Used Car With OBD2 Before You Buy ItA 15-minute pre-purchase OBD2 scan tells you most of what the seller of an imported German used car would rather you didn't ask. Here is the exact checklist.
- DPF Replacement Cost: Read the Code Before You Pay ThousandsA new diesel particulate filter runs 700 to 1,500 euros aftermarket and 1,000 to 3,000 OEM, but a P2002 code is sometimes a 60 to 250 euro sensor instead.
- Check Engine Light Flashing? Stop Driving and Read This FirstA flashing check engine light means the engine is misfiring right now. Pull over and read the code: the fix is usually $80 to $400, the delay costs $1,500 up.
- Car Dashboard Symbols and Meanings: Warning Lights ExplainedAn unfamiliar symbol just lit up and you need to know whether to stop. Read the colour first, then find your symbol in the table: every one carries its verdict.
Scan your car with Skanyx to diagnose P244A
Your car logged P244A. Skanyx reads it on a standard OBD2 adapter (Bluetooth LE on iPhone), tells you whether it is safe to keep driving, and shows the €40-€4000 repair range so you know the number before a shop quotes you. Free on iPhone and Android, and you do not need to be a mechanic to read it.
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