Electrical system and control unitsManufacturer codeUrgency: Garage soon
Code P1500: by make (Ford, Peugeot/Citroën, VW/Audi)
P1500 means: manufacturer-specific: depends on the make. On Ford, Peugeot and Citroën, vehicle speed sensor with an intermittent signal; on VW/Audi, fuel pump relay circuit fault.[1][2] On Ford, Peugeot and Citroën it indicates an intermittent vehicle speed sensor (VSS) signal, which the ECU uses for the gearbox, engine power and the speedometer. It is manufacturer-specific because Ford can fit up to three speed sensors.[1][2]
What code P1500 means
On Ford, Peugeot and Citroën it indicates an intermittent vehicle speed sensor (VSS) signal, which the ECU uses for the gearbox, engine power and the speedometer. It is manufacturer-specific because Ford can fit up to three speed sensors.[1][2]
On Audi and Volkswagen it indicates a fuel pump relay circuit fault; on Opel, the electronic throttle system; on Kia, the speed signal; on BMW, the ECU; on Lexus and Toyota, the starter signal.[1][2]
Original definition (SAE J2012): Manufacturer-specific: Ford/Peugeot/Citroën vehicle speed sensor intermittent; Audi/VW fuel pump relay circuit malfunction[1][2]
Causes of P1500
From most to least likely, according to the sources.
Symptoms
- Engine warning light on.[1]Engine warning light: faults that cause it
- Limp mode, with power cuts, in the speed sensor cases (Ford).[1]Limp mode: faults that cause it
How to diagnose P1500
In order: from the most likely and cheapest to check to the most expensive.
Can I keep driving with P1500?
Garage soon
In the speed sensor case, the source cites a wrong speedometer reading, power cuts and abnormal gearbox behaviour; get it checked soon. With the fuel pump relay, the car may not start.[1][2]
Parts related to code P1500
The parts that most often cause this code. The code points to the circuit, not always the part: diagnose before you buy.
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Documented faults related to P1500
Known faults of specific engines and cars, with their repair cost, the affected years and their sources.
Wiring, connectors and short circuits: the most serious faults by engine and car
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW N62 / N63Additional turbo coolant pump with a risk of short circuit and fireIn 2011 BMW recalled 5, 6 and 7 Series, X5 and X6 models built between 2007 and 2011 because of the additional turbo coolant pump: moisture, a short circuit and, in extreme cases, a fire. In 2012 there was another campaign for a crack in the pump, with a more robust version.
- Critical severityFrequency: Occasional1.6 GDi híbrido (Kappa)Main relay of the power relay assembly (overheating and fire risk)Yes, on the first units: Hyundai and Kia recalled 2016–2018 Ioniq and Niro hybrids and plug-in hybrids because the main relay that connects the high-voltage battery could come loose, overheat and, in the worst case, cause a fire.
- Critical severityFrequency: Occasional1.6 GDi híbrido (Kappa)Clutch hydraulic actuator (HCA): leak or moisture with risk of short circuit and fireYes, this is the most documented hybrid system fault: the hydraulic actuator that engages the combustion engine with the hybrid assembly has had two recalls (2018 for a leak on the Niro and 2025 for moisture in its electronic board on the Niro, Ceed and XCeed PHEV), with a risk of short circuit and fire.
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.3 TCeBlown fuel pump fuseOn the Renault Captur II and Clio V with the 1.3 TCe engine, a 20-amp fuse can blow and leave the car without an engine. According to L'argus, in April 2021 this fault still had no factory fix; the official service centre's diagnosis includes checking, and sometimes replacing, the catalytic converter.
- Critical severityFrequency: CommonRover 75Seat SRS connector fault with airbag and seatbelt warning light onAuto Express warns that the Rover 75's seat SRS connector can cause the airbags to fail, and dealers were fixing it with revised connectors. The Dutch APK inspection puts the airbag or seatbelt fault warning among the most frequent defects across almost all series.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAlfa Romeo GiuliettaShort circuit from badly routed wiring that can prevent gear shifting (KBA campaign, 2010-2015)Yes: according to Germany's KBA, on Alfa Romeo Giulietta cars built between 2010 and 2015 inadequate cable routing could cause a short circuit and, as a result, gear-shift failure.
Fuel pump and high-pressure pump: the most serious faults by engine and car
- Critical severityFrequency: Common2.0 and 2.5 HybridLow-pressure fuel pump failure: loss of power and fire riskYes: a low-pressure fuel pump with a defective impeller (Denso) affects millions of Toyotas and Lexuses, including Corolla, C-HR, RAV4 and Camry models with these engines. It can cause loss of power or stalling, and in the EU there is also a risk of leaks and fire on 2018-2022 Corolla, C-HR and Auris models.
- High severityFrequency: CommonBMW N54/N55High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failureThe N54's high-pressure pump is one of its best-documented failures: most units will have had it replaced at some point. It warns of itself with long cranking and loss of power; the 2010 campaign was US-only.
- High severityFrequency: Common2.2/2.5 dCiInjection pump or injector failureThe 2.2 dCi's common rail injectors fail fairly often on the X-Trail and Almera, with cases of seizing and leaks; on the Almera with the older YD22DDT, the documented fault is in the injection pump electronics, not the injectors.
- High severityFrequency: CommonVW 2.0 TFSI EA113Wear of the high-pressure pump cam followerYes: the 2.0 TFSI EA113's high-pressure fuel pump is driven by the camshaft through a follower (tappet) that wears; if it wears through it can damage the pump or the camshaft, so it should be checked and replaced as a preventive measure.Repair (garage): €250–€900Appears at around 90,000 km
Engine sensors: the most serious faults by engine and car
- High severityFrequency: Occasional2.0 DTI and 2.2 DTIVP44 injection pump and air mass meter failureGerman Wikipedia documents recurring failures of the Bosch VP44 injection pump and the air mass meter in the early years of this engine. An owner testimony for this engine describes the pump being replaced at 192,500 km, at a cost the owner calls «prohibitive».
- Medium severityFrequency: Common2.0 TDIClogged particulate filter or faulty pressure sensorThe 2.0 TDI's particulate filter clogs if the car mostly makes short journeys, because it never gets to regenerate; sometimes the fault is just the differential pressure sensor. Cleaning it costs around €200 and replacing it, €800 to €3,000.Repair (garage): €800–€3,000
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.4 and 1.6 8vCrankshaft position sensor failure (TDC sensor)The crankshaft position sensor (capteur PMH, or TDC sensor) appears repeatedly in the reliability sources for the Clio II, the Kangoo I and the Dacia Logan I with this engine, with hard cold starting or stalling as the main symptoms. It is a cheap part, but the failure can leave you stranded.
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.4 and 1.6 16vCrankshaft position sensor failureThe crankshaft position sensor (capteur PMH) appears repeatedly in the reliability sources for almost every generation with this engine, with hard cold starting, stalling or the car cutting out unexpectedly. It is a cheap part, but the failure can leave you stranded.
Frequently asked questions
What does P1500 mean on a Volkswagen or Audi?
A fault in the fuel pump relay circuit.[2]
Why is it not P0500?
Because Ford can use several speed sensors and the generic P0500 refers to the one at the gearbox output.[1]
Will I pass the MOT with code P1500?
If the code has switched on the engine warning light, no: with that light on, the inspection records a serious defect, and on Euro 5 and Euro 6 cars the ITV (Spain's roadworthiness inspection, similar to the MOT) also reads the OBD diagnostic system. Repair the fault before you go; clearing the code just before the inspection does not help either, because it counts as a serious defect.[3]
Not sure what is wrong with your car? Describe what you notice in the symptom diagnosis or see all fault codes.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- P1500 - TroubleCodes.net (definiciones por fabricante)TroubleCodes.net · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026
- P1500 - Manufacturer Controlled DTCDTCSearch · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026
- Desmontando mitos: ¿puede pasar mi coche la ITV con el testigo de «avería motor» encendido?Diariomotor · Motoring press · published 8 March 2021 · consulted 2 October 2026 · in Spanish