P0500 to P0503: vehicle speed sensor
The road speed signal is missing, implausible, too low or erratic.
SeverityModerateUsually not urgent today, but it can get worse if left.
Can you keep driving?Drive gently, check it soonWhat does P0500 mean?
Road speed comes either from a sensor on the gearbox or from the wheel speed sensors shared with the ABS. The engine computer uses it for the idle when coasting, the cruise control and, on automatics, the shift points. With a bad signal the speedometer may drop out, the cruise control may refuse to engage and an automatic gearbox may shift harshly or at the wrong moments.
What causes P0500?
- A failed speed sensor on the gearbox
- A wheel speed sensor fault passed on from the ABS
- A damaged wire or a corroded plug at the sensor
- A worn drive gear on older cars with a mechanical sensor
What to check first for P0500
- Check whether the speedometer still works and whether an ABS light is also on
- Read the ABS module too, since a wheel sensor fault often explains this code
- Compare the speed signal on a scan tool with the real speed on a short test
- Inspect the sensor's plug and wiring
Can you drive with P0500?
Usually safe to drive to a workshop, but mind your speed without a working speedometer. If an automatic gearbox shifts harshly or the ABS light is on too, drive gently and leave more distance when braking.
Since May 2018 an engine warning light that stays on is a major defect at the MOT, so the car fails until the fault is fixed.
Codes on this page
- P0500Vehicle Speed Sensor "A"
- P0501Vehicle Speed Sensor "A" Range/Performance
- P0502Vehicle Speed Sensor "A" Circuit Low Input
- P0503Vehicle Speed Sensor "A" Intermittent/Erratic/High
Related codes
Checked on · Rafael Soares
These are the generic meanings every manufacturer shares. Each brand adds its own detail, so your car's handbook, its service information and a qualified mechanic have the last word. OdoKeep has no connection with any manufacturer, and the app does not read codes from the car.
