P2015: Intake Manifold Runner Position Sensor Range/Performance (Bank 1)
Key takeaways
- P2015 means the sensor that reports the intake runner flap position on bank 1 is giving a reading that doesn't fit what the flaps were told to do.
- It's usually safe to drive; you may feel a little less pull or a rougher idle, but it doesn't damage the engine on its own.
- A broken linkage, a seized flap shaft or a failed actuator causes it more often than the sensor itself.
- On many engines the sensor and flaps are built into the intake manifold, so the expensive fix is a $600–$1,500 manifold.
- Nissan tells technicians to replace the intake manifold on 2019–2020 Altimas that set P2015 or P2004 in weather below 0°F with no other fault found.
What P2015 means
The computer can see where the flaps in your intake manifold are, and where they are doesn’t match where it told them to go. Scanners call it Intake Manifold Runner Position Sensor/Switch Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 1). Many engines have runner, tumble or swirl flaps in the intake that close at low rpm to make the air swirl and open at higher rpm to let the engine breathe. A vacuum or electric actuator moves them, and a position sensor reports back. P2015 sets when the sensor’s circuit looks healthy but its reading is outside the range expected for the commanded position, or doesn’t change when it should. Bank 1 is the side of the engine with cylinder 1; four-cylinder engines only have bank 1.
Is it safe to drive?
Yes, in most cases. The engine keeps running; with the flaps stuck in one position you may notice a little less pull from low speed, a flat feel at higher rpm, or a slightly rougher idle. It doesn’t hurt the engine by itself. The answer changes if you hear rattling from the intake, the engine starts misfiring, or it hesitates badly. A flap or linkage piece that has broken loose can end up where it shouldn’t, so stop and have it looked at.
Causes, ranked
| Cause | How you confirm it | Typical cost (US independent shop, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Linkage broken or flap shaft seized with carbon | Actuator moves but the shaft doesn’t; link popped off; shaft stiff by hand | $150–$500 for linkage; $600–$1,500 if the manifold must be replaced |
| Actuator failed | No movement when commanded with a scan tool, with good power, ground and vacuum | $150–$500 |
| Cracked vacuum hose or loose connector | Actuator rod doesn’t move with the engine running; split hose; corroded plug | $50–$400 for vacuum; $100–$250 for wiring |
| Position sensor failed | Flaps move fully and freely but the reading doesn’t follow | $150–$500 where sold separately; otherwise the manifold |
| Intake manifold with built-in flaps and sensor | Parts not sold separately for your engine, or a bulletin says replace it | $600–$1,500 |
What to check first
- Read every stored code. P2015 with P2004 or P2006 points at flaps that won’t move; P2015 with P2014 points more toward the sensor wiring.
- Watch the flaps move. Command them with a scan tool, or watch the actuator rod as the engine revs. Compare the live sensor reading with what you see.
- Check the linkage. A snapped plastic link or a rod popped off its ball is common and cheap.
- Check the vacuum hose and the sensor connector before replacing anything bigger.
- Clear it and drive. After a linkage, hose or connector repair, clear the code; it should stay off.
The bulletins show a clear pattern. Nissan says to replace the intake manifold on 2019–2020 Altimas that set P2015 or P2004 after a start below 0°F when normal diagnosis finds nothing. Volkswagen has a technical bulletin on P2014 and P2015 intake manifold faults for 2006–2011 models, and Audi one on the N316 changeover valve for 2021–2024 models.
What it costs
The cheap outcome is a vacuum hose, connector or linkage, $50–$500. The common outcome is an actuator at $150–$500. The expensive outcome is a new intake manifold with the flaps and sensor built in, $600–$1,500. A $100–$180 diagnosis that actually watches the flaps move tells you which of those it is before you buy a manifold. If you’d like help reading the other codes on your scan, ask the mechanic chat.
Related codes
P2014 is the circuit version of the same sensor, and P2016 and P2017 are its low and high circuit codes. P2004 and P2006 mean the flaps are stuck open or closed and often set together with P2015. For the bigger picture, see how to read check engine light codes.
What owners report to NHTSA
15 complaints filed with NHTSA mention P2015, 14 of them since 2015, across 7 different models. The component owners most often filed it under: engine.
Most-reported models
| Vehicle | Complaints | Model years reported |
|---|---|---|
| VOLKSWAGEN GTI | 5 | 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014 |
| VOLKSWAGEN JETTA | 4 | 2010, 2013 |
Manufacturer service bulletins that name P2015
6 technical service bulletins and manufacturer communications filed with NHTSA mention P2015, from 3 makes. A bulletin means the manufacturer has documented a known cause or a fix procedure for that model. Examples:
- AUDI A4 (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024), bulletin 11005854: This bulletin provides information when the MIL is on; electric changeover valve N316 - P2004, P2006, P2014, P2015.
- NISSAN ALTIMA (2019, 2020), bulletin 10183977: 2019-2020 ALTIMA; DTC P2015 OR P2004 STORED DURING COLD WEATHER IF YOU CONFIRM The customer stated that the MIL was on after starting the engine in cold weather, below 0F. And DTC P2015 (INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL VA…
- VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016), bulletin 10107941: MIL-ON, FAULT P309F OR P309D, NO ELECTRIC DRIVE MODE MIL-ON, FAULT P013E IN THE ECM MIL-ON, FAULT P164B IN ECM CUSTOMER STATES NOISE FORM THE ENGINE/TURBO FUEL GAUGE NOT READING FULL AFTER TOPPING UP FUEL FUEL LINE RATTL…
- VOLKSWAGEN CC (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016), bulletin 10107961: MIL-ON, FAULT P013E IN THE ECM CUSTOMER STATES NOISE FORM THE ENGINE/TURBO FUEL GAUGE NOT READING FULL AFTER TOPPING UP FUEL FUEL LINE RATTLE CLUTCH PEDAL SQUEAL/SQUEAK WHEN OPERATING CLUTCH PEDAL MIL-ON P0299 MIL-ON P01…
- VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011), bulletin 10121241: Technical Bulletin (P2014 or P2015 Intake Manifold Faults Stored in ECM Fault Memory ): Document discusses diagnosis Codes necessary to diagnosis, and potential remedy of issue. The diagnosis codes for checking warranty …
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 P2015?
Usually yes. The engine runs, though you may notice a little less low-speed pull or a rougher idle. Have it checked soon if you hear rattling from the intake or get misfire codes, because a broken flap or linkage can get worse.
Is P2015 the sensor or the flaps?
Often the flaps. The code only says the position reading is out of range for what was commanded, and a flap that's seized or a linkage that's snapped gives exactly that reading from a good sensor. Watching the flaps move is the way to tell.
Why does P2015 show up on Volkswagen GTIs and Jettas?
NHTSA's files have 5 GTI and 4 Jetta owner complaints mentioning P2015, and Volkswagen has a technical bulletin on P2014/P2015 intake manifold faults covering 2006–2011 models including the GTI and Jetta. Complaints are owner reports, not a confirmed defect.
What's the difference between P2014 and P2015?
P2014 is a circuit fault: the sensor wire is open, shorted or out of voltage range. P2015 means the circuit reads fine but the position doesn't make sense, which points more toward the flaps, linkage or actuator.