What P0106 means
The sensor that measures air pressure inside the intake, called the MAP sensor, is giving readings that don't fit what the engine is doing. The computer uses it to work out how much fuel to add, so the engine may run rough or hesitate. A vacuum leak, or a boost leak on turbo engines, causes this about as often as a bad sensor.
How the engine computer detects it
The manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor measures the pressure behind the throttle; on vehicles without a separate barometric sensor it also supplies the ambient pressure, read at key-on or wide-open throttle – hence 'MAP/BARO'. It is a three-wire sensor with 5 V reference, ground and signal. P0106 is a plausibility fault: the signal is electrically valid but implausible – stuck, offset or drifting. Two tests are common. With the engine stopped, all pressures equalize, so MAP must match ambient (and boost) pressure; Ford allows 1.5–3 inHg. While running, MAP is compared with a value modelled from air mass, throttle and speed – GM blames the MAP sensor above about 23–30 kPa (3.3–4.4 psi) error, with two trips on gasoline and one on diesel. Turbo engines with three sensors find the odd one out by majority. Besides the sensor, intake or boost leaks often cause it.
Written from public technical sources and not yet checked by a mechanic. How we write these pages
Symptoms
- Check engine light on
- Rough idle, hesitation, poor response
- Higher consumption, black smoke possible on diesels
- Loss of power or limp mode on turbo engines
Common causes
- Vacuum leak at the intake manifold or boost leak (hose, clamp, charge air cooler) Most likely
- Sensor oiled or sooted, port blocked (EGR soot), characteristic drifted Most likely
- High resistance in signal, reference or ground wire Possible
- Comparison sensor wrong, or mechanical cause (dirty throttle, EGR stuck open) Possible
How to diagnose P0106
- With the engine idling, listen for hissing and check vacuum hoses and the intake for cracks or loose connections. On turbo engines, check the hoses and clamps between the turbo, intercooler and intake.
- With the ignition off, remove the MAP sensor (or its hose, if it has one) and check the port for soot or oil. EGR soot can block it.
- Inspect the MAP sensor connector for corrosion, loose pins or a damaged wire.
- With the ignition on and the engine off, a scanner should show MAP and barometric pressure reading almost the same. If they're far apart, the sensor or its wiring is suspect.
- Replace the MAP sensor if leaks and wiring check out, and fix any EGR problem that keeps sooting it up.
Vehicles that report P0106 most
| Vehicle | Years | Reports | Share | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Escape | 2013–2016 | 5 | 73k | |
| Chevrolet Cruze | 2012–2015 | 4 | 63k | |
| Hyundai Sonata | 2011 | 3 | 120k |
Counts of owner complaints to the NHTSA that mention P0106 (35 in total), not failure rates: popular models get more complaints simply because more of them are on the road. Models with fewer than 3 complaints are left out.
Reading the code
- P
- Powertrain
- 0
- Generic (SAE) code
- 1
- Fuel and air metering
- 06
- Specific fault
Questions drivers ask
Can I drive with code P0106?
Usually yes, gently and for a short time. You may notice a rough idle, hesitation or higher fuel use, and turbo engines may go into reduced power. If it hesitates or loses power when you press the gas, avoid highways and heavy traffic until it's fixed.
Will my car pass an emissions inspection with P0106?
Probably not in states that test vehicles with an OBD-II scan: an emissions-related code that keeps the check engine light on is usually an automatic fail. Rules differ by state and county, so check yours.
Will P0106 clear by itself?
The light can go off after several drive cycles without the fault, but the code returns if the cause is still there. After a repair, the readiness monitors need a full drive cycle before an inspection.
Can I fix P0106 myself?
Often yes, with an OBD-II scanner and basic tools. Difficulty: medium. Start with the cheapest checks before replacing expensive parts.
Often reported together
Codes that owners mention in the same NHTSA complaints as P0106. They can point to a shared cause, so it's worth checking them together.
- P0171System Too Lean Bank 14 complaints
- P0236Turbocharger/Supercharger Boost Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance4 complaints
- P0506Idle Control System RPM - Lower Than Expected3 complaints
- P1101Manufacturer-specific code3 complaints
This page is general information, not a substitute for a professional diagnosis. Repair costs are rough estimates for parts and labor and vary by vehicle and region.