Powertrain, generic (extended)

P2216 NOx Sensor Circuit High (Bank 2)

Check engine lightOn
EmissionsRelevant
Drive cycleRequired
Limp modeNo

P2216 is set when the NOx concentration reported for bank 2 exceeds anything the engine could plausibly emit. It belongs to engines with an SCR line per cylinder bank; none of the documented diesels is built that way, and no manufacturer lists P2216 publicly. The bank 1 code P2203 shows what such a check looks like: GM trips at 1,500 or 2,500 ppm on the 6.6L LML and at 2,500 ppm on the 3.0L LZ0 (Type B, two trips), VW at 1,655 ppm on the 2014 Touareg TDI. An overreading probe can make the dosing controller inject too much DEF, risking ammonia slip, so the reading is discarded. Internal sensor failure is the most frequent reason. P2215 is the low limit, P2214 a believable but wrong value.

Likely causes

Bank 2 NOx sensor reading too high due to internal failure
Sensing element fouled by oil ash or DEF crystals
Calibration error in the engine or dosing control software

Symptoms

  • Malfunction indicator lamp on
  • Implausibly high NOx value for bank 2 in live data
  • SCR efficiency codes may follow

Repair estimate

DifficultyMediumDIY possible
Parts and labour€150–1,000
Time0.5–2.5 h

Typical range across vehicles; the real cost depends on what the testing finds.

Parts involved

nox sensornox sensor wiring

Related codes

P2203P2213P2214P2215P2217

References: law.cornell.edu, gsi.ext.gm.com, gsi.ext.gm.com, static.nhtsa.gov.