Sensor 3 on bank 2 is a switching oxygen sensor behind a second converter or converter brick. It is rare – documented for Jaguar Land Rover's supercharged V6 and V8 (2013–2016), where it is the 'post-cat' sensor of the second bank, and for Ford systems that monitor part of the converter volume. P0162 is the general circuit code of this sensor, the counterpart of P0142. Jaguar Land Rover assigns the code to that sensor and names software (fixed by reconfiguring the engine module) and water-induced thermal shock as causes; no thresholds are published for sensor 3, so the logic follows the sensor 2 checks. The previous obdex titles from P0162 to P0165 were shifted by one position; P0162 had carried the heater title of P0161. When it fails, the downstream evaluation of that converter is suspended; there is no limp mode.
Medium severity. Can I keep driving?Yes, you can normally drive in moderation, but get it repaired soon: you will use more fuel and the catalytic converter can be damaged over time.
Bank 2 is the side without cylinder 1, so it only exists on V or boxer engines.
Symptoms
- Check engine light on (usually after two drive cycles)
- Catalyst readiness incomplete
- Usually no noticeable change in driving
Most likely causes
- Sensor faulty or damaged by thermal shock
- Wiring or connector under the car damaged
- Engine module software (Jaguar Land Rover)
- Exhaust leak ahead of the sensor
What to check, in order
Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.
Good to know
- Repair difficulty: easy
- It affects emissions.
What each character of P0162 means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 0: Generic code: same on every make
- 1: Air and fuel
- 62: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P0162?
Yes, you can normally drive in moderation, but get it repaired soon: you will use more fuel and the catalytic converter can be damaged over time.
What causes code P0162?
The most common causes are: sensor faulty or damaged by thermal shock; wiring or connector under the car damaged; engine module software (Jaguar Land Rover).
Related codes
- P0142O2 Sensor Circuit Bank 1 Sensor 3
- P0163O2 Sensor Circuit Low Voltage Bank 2 Sensor 3
- P0164O2 Sensor Circuit High Voltage Bank 2 Sensor 3
- P0166O2 Sensor Circuit No Activity Detected Bank 2 Sensor 3
- P0167O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Bank 2 Sensor 3
- P0156O2 Sensor Circuit Bank 2 Sensor 2
Sources
- law.cornell.edu: 13 CCR 1968.2
- static.nhtsa.gov: SB 10096822 1020
- static.nhtsa.gov: SB 10105583 9340
- static.nhtsa.gov: MC 10080421 7690
Values and procedures vary by manufacturer. If it affects brakes, steering, fuel or high voltage, see a professional. Updated: 2026-11-04. How we build these pages.