Fuel temperature sensor A is an NTC thermistor: the hotter the fuel, the lower its resistance and signal voltage. On diesels it sits in the injection pump, rail or return line; on Ford petrol direct-injection engines it is built into the rail pressure sensor, and GM uses digital rail temperature sensors on its direct-injection engines. P0180 is the general circuit fault without telling low from high. None of the manufacturers checked (GM, Ford, Saab/Bosch, Nissan) uses it – they report P0181–P0184 instead. No manufacturer document using exactly this code was found; the description rests on CARB's circuit monitoring requirement and component information. With a sensor fault the control module uses a substitute temperature (Saab EDC16: 50 °C).
Low severity. Can I keep driving?You can normally keep driving. If it affects the fuel level, do not trust the gauge and refuel earlier than usual.
Symptoms
- Check engine light on
- Substitute value; possibly starting problems in cold or hot conditions
Most likely causes
- Wire or connector open or corroded
- Sensor faulty
- Control module reference or ground
What to check, in order
Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.
Good to know
- Repair difficulty: medium
- It affects emissions.
What each character of P0180 means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 0: Generic code: same on every make
- 1: Air and fuel
- 80: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P0180?
You can normally keep driving. If it affects the fuel level, do not trust the gauge and refuel earlier than usual.
What causes code P0180?
The most common causes are: wire or connector open or corroded; sensor faulty; control module reference or ground.
Related codes
- P0181Fuel Temperature Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance
- P0182Fuel Temperature Sensor A Circuit Low
- P0183Fuel Temperature Sensor A Circuit High
- P0184Fuel Temperature Sensor A Circuit Intermittent
- P0185Fuel Temperature Sensor B Circuit
Sources
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.