P0113: Intake Air Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit High
Key takeaways
- P0113 means the intake air temperature signal voltage is too high, which the computer reads as extremely cold air, usually because the circuit is open.
- A loose, unplugged or corroded connector or a broken wire causes it far more often than a failed sensor.
- It's safe to drive; most cars run normally and the computer substitutes a default air temperature.
- Check the connector first, especially if the air filter was just changed; a connector or pigtail repair runs $100–$250 at a US independent shop.
- Fiat, Jeep and Ram have bulletins adding a jumper harness because wire strain at the sensor connector sets P0113.
What P0113 means
The sensor that tells the engine how warm the incoming air is has gone quiet, and the computer thinks the air is far colder than it can be. Scanners call it “Intake Air Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit High.” The IAT sensor is a thermistor: its resistance drops as air warms. The computer feeds it a reference voltage and reads what comes back. With the plug disconnected or a wire broken, the voltage sits near the top of its range, which looks like air at about -40°F. When the signal stays that high, the computer sets P0113. It’s a circuit code, so the wiring is suspect before the sensor.
Is it safe to drive?
Yes. The computer switches to a default air temperature and most cars run normally. You might see slightly worse fuel economy, a rough cold start, or on some cars a cooling fan that runs more than usual.
The one thing that changes the answer: if P0113 comes with stalling, reduced power or a pile of other sensor codes at once, the problem may be a shared ground or a harness issue that affects more than this sensor. Get that checked soon.
Causes, ranked
| Cause | How you confirm it | Typical cost (US independent shop, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Connector unplugged, loose or not locked | Look at the plug on the air box, intake tube or MAF sensor; common after a filter change | $0 DIY; $50–$100 shop check |
| Corroded or spread connector pins | Unplug and look for green corrosion or loose terminals | $100–$250 pigtail repair |
| Broken or strained wire near the sensor | Check signal with the harness flexed; bulletin repair on some cars | $100–$250 |
| Failed IAT sensor (separate part) | Measure resistance against a temperature chart | $50–$200 |
| Failed MAF with built-in IAT sensor | Same test at the MAF connector; replace as an assembly | $150–$400 |
| Engine computer or software (rare) | Only after the circuit tests good end to end | Dealer quote |
What to check first
- Look at the connector. Make sure it’s fully seated and the lock tab clicks. If you just changed the air filter, start here.
- Unplug it and inspect the pins for corrosion or a loose terminal.
- Check live data: a reading near -40°F on a warm day confirms an open circuit. A shop can jumper the plug to see if the reading changes, which separates sensor from wiring.
- Check the wire along the harness for rub-through or strain at the connector.
- Replace the sensor last, after the circuit tests good.
Clearing the code and driving is fine after reseating a connector; if it was the plug, the code stays gone.
The bulletins back up the wiring pattern. Fiat (500X), Jeep (Renegade) and Ram (ProMaster City) have a bulletin that adds a jumper harness because wire strain at the IAT connector sets P0113, and GM has diagnostic tips for the code on several 2013–2014 models. Ram also has a bulletin for P0113 on the 2020–2023 1500.
What it costs
The cheap outcome is a reseated plug, free if you do it or under $100 at a shop. The common outcome is a connector or pigtail repair at $100–$250. The expensive outcome is a MAF sensor with the IAT built in, $150–$400. Testing the circuit first matters because a new sensor on a broken wire won’t clear the code.
Related codes
P0112 is the opposite fault (signal low, reads very hot), and P0111 and P0114 are range and intermittent codes for the same sensor. When the IAT sensor lives inside the MAF, MAF codes like P0101 or P0102 can appear with it. For reading and clearing codes yourself, see how to read check engine light codes.
What owners report to NHTSA
11 complaints filed with NHTSA mention P0113, 11 of them since 2015, across 10 different models. The component owners most often filed it under: engine.
Manufacturer service bulletins that name P0113
15 technical service bulletins and manufacturer communications filed with NHTSA mention P0113, from 8 makes. A bulletin means the manufacturer has documented a known cause or a fix procedure for that model. Examples:
- RAM 1500 (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023), bulletin 10243187: Check Engine Light On, P0113 Intake Air Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit High
- JAGUAR F-PACE (2017, 2018, 2014, 2015), bulletin 10127288: A Customer may report one or more of: ?Lack of power ?Restricted performance displayed on Instrument Cluster (IC) ?Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) appears on Instrument Cluster (IC). One or more of the following DTC?s …
- FIAT 500X (2016), bulletin 10119623: Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illumination Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0113 The wiring at the connector of the Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor may be compromised due to wire strain causing DTCs. This bulletin i…
- JEEP RENEGADE (2015), bulletin 10119623: Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illumination Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0113 The wiring at the connector of the Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor may be compromised due to wire strain causing DTCs. This bulletin i…
- RAM PROMASTER CITY (2015), bulletin 10120527: Install Intake Air Temperature Sensor Jumper Harness The wiring at the connector of the Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor may be compromised due to wire strain. This bulletin involves adding a jumper harness on the IAT…
- BUICK ENCLAVE (2013, 2014), bulletin 10134752: This preliminary informational bulletin provides information for Diagnostic Tips for DTCs P0097, P00F4, P0113, P2229 and/or P0102 Set
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 drive with P0113?
Yes. The engine computer uses a backup temperature value and most cars drive normally. You may notice slightly worse fuel economy or a rougher cold start, and the car will fail an emissions inspection until it's fixed.
Why did P0113 show up right after I changed the air filter?
Because the sensor or its plug is on or near the air box on many cars, and it's easy to leave the connector loose or pull a wire when you open the box. Check the plug first; that's often the whole fix.
Is the IAT sensor part of the MAF sensor?
On many cars, yes. When it's built into the mass airflow sensor, a failed IAT sensor means replacing the MAF assembly, which is why the cost can reach $150–$400. On others it's a separate $50–$200 part.
What's the difference between P0112 and P0113?
P0112 is the signal stuck low, usually a short to ground, and the computer reads extremely hot air. P0113 is the signal stuck high, usually an open circuit, and the computer reads extremely cold air.