P0106: MAP/Barometric Pressure Circuit Range/Performance
Key takeaways
- P0106 means the manifold pressure the sensor reports doesn't match what the computer expects from throttle position, engine speed and barometric pressure.
- It is usually safe to drive, but get it looked at if the engine idles rough, stalls or burns noticeably more fuel.
- A vacuum leak or a cracked or loose hose to the sensor is the most common cause, ahead of the sensor itself.
- Most fixes cost $20–$400, from a vacuum hose to a new MAP sensor.
What P0106 means
The sensor that measures pressure inside your intake manifold is giving a reading that doesn’t fit how the engine is running. The manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor tells the computer how much load the engine is under. The computer checks that reading against throttle position, engine speed and barometric pressure (with the key on and the engine off, MAP should read close to outside air pressure). When the reading is inside the normal electrical range but doesn’t make sense, it stores P0106, “Manifold Absolute Pressure/Barometric Pressure Circuit Range/Performance.”
Is it safe to drive?
Yes, in most cases. The engine usually runs normally or close to it, and the computer can fall back on other sensors. You may notice a slightly rough idle, hesitation or worse fuel economy. The symptom that changes the answer: if the engine stalls, idles very rough, or you get misfire codes with it, keep trips short and get it checked soon. A flashing check engine light means misfire; don’t drive far on that.
Causes, ranked
| Cause | How you confirm it | Typical cost (US independent shop, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Vacuum leak (cracked hose, intake gasket, PCV hose, brake booster hose) | Hissing at idle, smoke test, high MAP reading at idle | $50–$150 for a hose; $150–$400 for an intake gasket |
| Cracked, loose or clogged hose or port feeding the sensor (on remote-mounted sensors) | Look and feel; blow through the port | $20–$80 |
| Dirty MAP sensor (oil or carbon in the port) | Visible buildup; reading improves after cleaning | $0–$100 |
| Failing MAP sensor | Key-on reading doesn’t match barometric pressure; slow response when you snap the throttle | $100–$300 |
| Wiring or connector fault (corrosion, loose pin, damaged 5-volt reference) | Check reference, ground and signal at the connector | $100–$250 |
| Engine software needing an update | A bulletin covers your make, model and year | $100–$200 |
Anything that changes engine vacuum, such as a sticking EGR valve or a mechanical engine problem, can also set P0106, but those are much less common.
What to check first
- Look at the easy stuff. Check the sensor connector, the vacuum hose to the sensor (if it has one) and every hose you can see on the intake for cracks or pop-offs.
- Compare key-on MAP with barometric pressure. Engine off, key on, the MAP reading should match local air pressure. A shop does this in a minute with a scan tool.
- Smoke test the intake. It finds leaks you can’t hear and is cheaper than guessing.
- Clean the sensor port. If it’s oily or carbon-coated, clean it with a sensor-safe spray, clear the code and drive a few days.
- Check for a bulletin. The pattern is mostly Ford and GM trucks. Ford has a bulletin on 2021–2022 F-Super Duty 6.2L and 7.3L trucks setting P0106 after being transported with the key off, and one on 2020–2021 Escape Hybrids setting it in freezing weather that involves removing the throttle body. GM issued preliminary information on 2020–2021 V8 trucks, SUVs and Camaros pairing P0106 with misfire codes and a possible valve spring concern.
NHTSA data is thin for this code: 35 complaints filed with NHTSA mention P0106, led by the Ford Escape with 5 and the Chevrolet Cruze with 4. Those are owner reports, not confirmed causes.
What it costs
The cheap outcome is a cleaned sensor or a $20 hose. The common outcome is a vacuum leak repair or a new MAP sensor, about $100–$300. The expensive outcome among common fixes is an intake gasket or hard-to-reach leak, up to about $400. The GM valve spring issue is the rare exception and would be handled under the bulletin. A smoke test and a key-on reading before parts keeps you from buying a sensor you didn’t need.
Related codes
P0107 and P0108 are the electrical versions (signal too low or too high). A vacuum leak often sets P0106 together with P0171 (lean), and the airflow code P0101 can appear alongside it because the computer cross-checks the two sensors. If you’re not sure how to pull the full code list, see how to read check engine light codes.
What owners report to NHTSA
35 complaints filed with NHTSA mention P0106, 30 of them since 2015, across 20 different models. The component owners most often filed it under: engine.
Most-reported models
| Vehicle | Complaints | Model years reported |
|---|---|---|
| FORD ESCAPE | 5 | 2013, 2016 |
| CHEVROLET CRUZE | 4 | 2012, 2014, 2015 |
| HYUNDAI SONATA | 3 | 2011 |
Manufacturer service bulletins that name P0106
149 technical service bulletins and manufacturer communications filed with NHTSA mention P0106, from 12 makes. A bulletin means the manufacturer has documented a known cause or a fix procedure for that model. Examples:
- FORD F-250 SD (2021, 2022), bulletin 10201607: Some 2021-2022 F-Super Duty vehicles equipped with a 6.2L or 7.3L engine may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0106 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM) …
- CHEVROLET CAMARO (2020, 2021), bulletin 10181159: This Preliminary information communicatesA Vehicle may have a concern of service engine light, misfire and engine noise with possible of DTC P0300 P0106 P0506, Possible valve spring concern
- GMC SIERRA 2500 (2020, 2021), bulletin 10181159: This Preliminary information communicatesA Vehicle may have a concern of service engine light, misfire and engine noise with possible of DTC P0300 P0106 P0506, Possible valve spring concern
- CADILLAC ESCALADE NA (2021), bulletin 10182580: This Preliminary information communicatesA Vehicle may have a concern of service engine light, misfire and engine noise with possible of DTC P0300 P0106 P0506, Possible valve spring concern
- GMC SIERRA 1500 (2021, 2020), bulletin 10182580: This Preliminary information communicatesA Vehicle may have a concern of service engine light, misfire and engine noise with possible of DTC P0300 P0106 P0506, Possible valve spring concern
- GMC YUKON (2021, 2020), bulletin 10182570: This Preliminary information communicatesA Vehicle may have a concern of service engine light, misfire and engine noise with possible of DTC P0300 P0106 P0506, Possible valve spring concern
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database and manufacturer communications file, snapshots September 2026. A complaint or bulletin that mentions a code is a report about that vehicle, not a statement that the code has one cause.
Frequently asked questions
Can I just clean the MAP sensor?
Sometimes. Oil or carbon buildup on the sensor port or in its passage can skew the reading, and a careful cleaning with a sensor-safe spray costs almost nothing. If the code comes back, test the sensor and the vacuum supply before buying a new one.
Can a vacuum leak cause P0106?
Yes, it is the most common cause. Extra air leaking into the intake raises manifold pressure at idle, so the MAP reading no longer matches what the computer expects for that throttle opening.
What's the difference between P0106 and P0107 or P0108?
P0107 and P0108 mean the sensor signal is electrically too low or too high, which usually points to wiring or the sensor. P0106 means the signal is within range but doesn't make sense, which points to leaks, hoses or a lazy sensor first.
Will P0106 fail an emissions test?
In states that test by plugging into the OBD-II port, an active check engine light is usually a fail. Fix the cause, then drive enough for the monitors to run before testing.