P0130: O2 Sensor Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1 Sensor 1)

Short answer: P0130 means “O2 Sensor Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1 Sensor 1)”. It is a standard OBD-II code, so the basic meaning is the same on every car. Below is what it means on each of the 8 cars we cover, with a link to the full page for each car.

Standard OBD-II code Same meaning on all cars (SAE J2012).

P0130 on each car

Symptoms

1. Check engine light on

Likely causes

1. Usually the cause of P0130 is a bad oxygen sensor, however this isn't always
2. The case. If your o2 sensors haven't been replaced and they are old, it's a
3. Good bet that the sensor is the problem. But, It could be caused by any of the
4. Water or corrosion in the connector
5. Loose terminals in the connector
6. Wiring burnt on exhaust components
7. Open or short in the wiring due to rubbing on engine components

What to check, in order

1. Read the code and live data with an OBD-II scanner
2. Look for exhaust or vacuum leaks and check the wiring of the sensor or valve
3. Test the part before replacing it
4. Fix the cause, clear the code and test-drive

Causes and checks above are the general meaning. The exact test steps and values differ by car: open your car’s page.

All fault codes