Generic fault code

P0127 — Intake air temperature: too high

Q: What usually causes code P0127?

Restriction or clogging (filter, duct, soot, ash). The most likely causes come first. Only a check on the car confirms which one is yours.

Q: What are the symptoms of code P0127?

Jerking or lack of power. Rough idle or stalling. Higher fuel use and, on diesels, black smoke. These are the usual symptoms of this kind of fault: not all of them always appear, and sometimes you notice nothing.

The control unit stores code P0127 when it detects this fault: “Intake air temperature: too high”.

Indicative severity: HighFuel and air metering

Updated on October 13, 2026

Reviewed by Daniel Morales, founder of Reprorace SL, on October 13, 2026

What does code P0127 mean?

The engine measures the incoming air and meters the fuel so the mixture is right; the throttle, the accelerator pedal and the turbo are here too. A fault usually shows as higher fuel use, jerking, lack of power or hard starting.

System: P · Powertrain
Area: Fuel and air metering · Car system: Fuel and air
Type: Generic (SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6): the same meaning on every make
Indicative severity: High. Diagnose as soon as possible: it may affect safety or cause damage (engine, catalyst, brakes).

What usually causes code P0127?

Restriction or clogging (filter, duct, soot, ash)

The most likely causes come first. Only a check on the car confirms which one is yours.

What are the symptoms of code P0127?

Jerking or lack of power
Rough idle or stalling
Higher fuel use and, on diesels, black smoke

These are the usual symptoms of this kind of fault: not all of them always appear, and sometimes you notice nothing.

Can I keep driving with code P0127?

Better not, except when you really have to. This fault may affect safety or damage the engine, the catalytic converter or the brakes. See a workshop as soon as possible; if you must move the car, drive gently and only short distances. If the light flashes, the car loses power, makes unusual noises or the brakes or steering feel different, stop somewhere safe and call for assistance.

This is guidance only: only someone who checks the car can say whether it is safe to drive.

An indicative description of the code's generic meaning. Each manufacturer may give it a different meaning, conditions or tests: always follow its service information and your workshop's advice.

What you can do yourself

For this kind of fault

Check that the air filter is clean and that the duct between the filter and the engine has no cracks or loose clamps. Do not clean the air flow sensor with products not made for it.

Read the code and keep the report: with an ECO-LITE in the OBD socket you see it on your phone or computer, with the data captured when the fault happened.
Look for anything obvious: a loose connector, a disconnected hose, a fuel cap not closed properly or a low fluid level. Do not take apart anything you do not know.
Clear the code only after writing it down or after the repair. Clearing turns the light off, but it also deletes the freeze-frame data and the readiness monitors used at the inspection.
Drive normally for a few days and read the codes again. If the code comes back, the fault is still there: book the workshop and bring the report.

Read your car's fault codes on your phone

With an ECO-LITE in the OBD socket you see the codes in your account, with the data captured when the fault happened, and your workshop can check them remotely, always with your permission.

See the ECO-LITE Reserve (presale)

Related codes

P0110Intake air temperature sensor 1 (bank 1), circuit: malfunction
P0111Intake air temperature sensor 1 (bank 1), circuit: range/performance
P0112Intake air temperature sensor 1 (bank 1), circuit: signal low
P0113Intake air temperature sensor 1 (bank 1), circuit: signal high
P0114Intake air temperature sensor 1 (bank 1), circuit: intermittent
P0129Barometric pressure: too low

P01xx codes: fuel and air metering

All fault codes