Vehicle speed sensor malfunction
What P0500 means
Your car's computer set P0500: Vehicle speed sensor malfunction. It belongs to the speed, idle and auxiliary inputs group of codes. It is a generic code, so it means the same thing on every make. The check engine light usually comes on once the fault has been seen on two drives in a row. Until then it shows up as a pending code.
Can I keep driving? ABS and traction control may stop working. Drive gently until it is fixed.
Common causes
- Failed speed sensor
- Damaged wiring or connector
- Dirty or damaged tone ring
Fix the cheapest, most likely cause first. Clearing the code without a repair only turns the light off until the fault comes back.
Check it yourself
Run the GPS speedometer check in Mods to compare the car’s speed with GPS.
Torque Deck reads P0500 with a cheap Bluetooth OBD2 adapter. It also shows the freeze frame (engine conditions at the moment the code set) and the live data you need to narrow it down.
Parts
Parts most often replaced for P0500: vehicle speed sensor. Confirm the cause first, and match the part to your exact engine.
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Related codes
This page explains what the code usually means. It is not a diagnosis of your car. When in doubt, ask a mechanic.