P0138 moderate

O2 Sensor Circuit High Voltage (Bank 1, Sensor 2)

The P0138 code means the vehicle's onboard diagnostic system has detected: O2 Sensor Circuit High Voltage (Bank 1, Sensor 2). This is a moderate severity code.

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Keep driving?
Yes, but fix soon
DIY difficulty
easy
Estimated cost
$50-$200
AstroAI Digital Multimeter
Test Before Replacing
AstroAI Digital Multimeter

Test O2 sensor voltage (should fluctuate 0.1-0.9V). Do not replace a $150 sensor without confirming it is actually bad first.

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BlueDriver Bluetooth Pro Scanner
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BlueDriver Bluetooth Pro Scanner

Shows real-time O2 sensor readings on your phone. See if the sensor is lazy, stuck, or actually working before spending money.

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Common Symptoms

  • Check Engine Light on
  • Engine runs rich downstream
  • Catalyst overheating risk
  • Poor fuel economy

Probable Causes (Ranked by Likelihood)

  • O2 sensor stuck in rich/high state Very High
  • Genuine rich exhaust condition after catalyst Moderate
  • Sensor contaminated with coolant or oil causing rich bias Moderate
  • Short to voltage on signal wire Low

Common Fixes by Vehicle

What techs usually find when diagnosing P0138 on specific vehicles — tap your vehicle for the fix and the exact part:

2009-2020 Ford F-150/Explorer 3.5L/5.0L Easy DIY

Bank 1 downstream O2 sensor reading high voltage (stuck rich above 0.9V). This often indicates the catalytic converter is failing and allowing rich exhaust to pass through. Check for P0420 as well. If the cat is not failed, the O2 sensor itself may have an internal short. Replace with an OE-quality Motorcraft unit. Confirm the exact part for your year and engine with a retailer's fitment lookup or your VIN before ordering - these applications split by engine and build date.

Labor: 30-45 min
2010-2020 Chevrolet Silverado/Tahoe 5.3L Easy DIY

Bank 1 Sensor 2 stuck high voltage. Check for a rich-running condition first by monitoring fuel trims. If the upstream sensor shows rich, fix that issue first. If fuel trims are normal, the downstream sensor has an internal fault. Replace with an OE-quality ACDelco unit. Also check for antifreeze contamination of the cat from a leaking intake manifold gasket. Confirm the exact part for your year and engine with a retailer's fitment lookup or your VIN before ordering - these applications split by engine and build date.

Labor: 30 min
2007-2017 Toyota Camry/RAV4 2.5L Easy DIY

Downstream O2 sensor stuck high. If the voltage stays above 0.8V constantly, the sensor is either shorted or the cat is passing rich exhaust. Monitor the upstream sensor for a persistent rich condition first. Replace the downstream sensor with Denso if it is confirmed faulty. Use penetrating oil before removal. Confirm the exact part for your year and engine with a retailer's fitment lookup or your VIN before ordering - these applications split by engine and build date.

Labor: 30 min

Frequently Asked Questions

Can burning oil contaminate the downstream O2 sensor?

Yes. Combustion byproducts from burning oil coat the sensor element with a silicone-like deposit, biasing the sensor toward a rich reading. Fixing the oil consumption issue and replacing the sensor resolves this.

What actually makes the computer set an oxygen sensor code?

The OBD II regulation requires four separate detections for an oxygen sensor (Title 13 CCR 1968.2, section (e)(7.2)): deterioration in voltage, response rate or amplitude that would push emissions past 1.5 times the FTP standards; loss of circuit continuity; out-of-range values; and the case where the sensor has degraded enough that the fuel system stops using it and falls back to open loop. A sensor can therefore set a code while still producing a signal that looks plausible on a scan tool. This is the threshold the monitor is designed around, not a description of your specific fault — the regulation says what the system must detect, not how to find it on your vehicle.

Mechanics Guide Step-by-step diagnosis

Step-by-Step Diagnostic Procedure

  1. Monitor downstream O2 voltage. Should be relatively stable at 0.6-0.8V in normal operation.

  2. If voltage is stuck above 0.9V constantly, suspect sensor contamination or a stuck-rich sensor.

  3. Check for coolant burning: sweet smell from exhaust, white smoke on deceleration.

  4. Check for oil burning: blue smoke, excessive oil consumption.

  5. Replace sensor if contamination is confirmed.

Sources 3

This page is built from documented references. Verify against your own service info before repair work.

Commonly Affected Vehicles

  • Honda CR-V and Pilot
  • Toyota Sequoia
  • Ford Expedition
  • Chevrolet Avalanche
  • Dodge Durango

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