The Lemon IndexNot enough exhaust gas is being sent back into the engine.
Drive on, get it checked. You can usually keep driving. Have the code read at your next service or within a few weeks.
Carbon-clogged EGR valve or passages. Then: failed EGR valve; faulty EGR sensor.
Owners named P0401 in 43 complaints to the U.S. government, most often on the Chevrolet Volt.
Cars owners report it on
Complaints that name P0401, by model. Raw counts, not a failure rate: popular models get more complaints.
Years owners report it on most: 2017 Chevrolet Volt · 2010 Volkswagen Jetta · 2010 Toyota Prius · 2016 Chevrolet Volt
The details
What P0401 means
Not enough exhaust gas is being sent back into the engine. It can cause pinging and higher emissions.
Can I drive with P0401?
Drive on, get it checked. You can usually keep driving. Have the code read at your next service or within a few weeks.
19% of the owner complaints that name P0401 also say the car loses power or goes into limp mode. A complaint can describe more than one problem, so this doesn't prove the code caused it.
Common causes of P0401
- Carbon-clogged EGR valve or passages
- Failed EGR valve
- Faulty EGR sensor
A shop should confirm the cause with a scan and tests before replacing parts.
What owners describe
- Loses power or goes into limp mode: 19% of complaints
- Brakes or ABS act up: 16% of complaints
- Shakes, runs rough or misfires: 12% of complaints
- Stalls or shuts off: 7% of complaints
Share of complaints naming the code whose text also mentions each problem.
Model years that report P0401 most
2017 Chevrolet Volt (6), 2010 Volkswagen Jetta (3), 2010 Toyota Prius (2), 2016 Chevrolet Volt (2).
Related codes
P0402 P0403 P0404 P0405 P0406 P0410 P0411 P0418
Quick answers
What does P0401 mean?
Exhaust Gas Recirculation A Flow Insufficient Detected. Not enough exhaust gas is being sent back into the engine. It can cause pinging and higher emissions.
Can I drive with P0401?
Drive on, get it checked. You can usually keep driving. Have the code read at your next service or within a few weeks.
What causes P0401?
Carbon-clogged EGR valve or passages; Failed EGR valve; Faulty EGR sensor.
Counts: NHTSA owner complaints whose text names P0401. A complaint is an owner's report, not a diagnosis. Meanings: the standard SAE J2012 definitions in our own words; manufacturer codes only where verified for that make. General information, not repair advice for your car.