Fault Code Lookup › Powertrain codes › P0461

P0461 Powertrain · generic OBD-II

Fuel Level Sensor 'A' Circuit Range/Performance

P0461 is a standard code covering engine, transmission, fuel and emissions. It names the system that logged the fault, not the part that failed. Below: which cars owners reported it on, what happened, and recalls on those cars, from 5 complaints filed with NHTSA. Updated November 3, 2026.

  • 5owner reports
  • 5car models
  • 0mention a crash
  • 0mention a fire
  • 2014–2021model years

Which cars get code P0461?

Every model whose owners mentioned P0461 in a complaint, most reports first. Each year opens that car's full problem report. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.

Where does P0461 show up?

By brand

  • Volkswagen4
  • Ford1

Component the owner filed it under

  1. Fuel/Propulsion System5 (100%)
  2. Engine1 (20%)

Is there a recall for P0461?

The others concern the component owners file this code under (Fuel/Propulsion System) on the same cars; they may or may not relate to the code. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Fuel System, Gasoline Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7… NHTSA campaign 24V110000 · February 14, 2024 · Affected cars

2017 Volkswagen Golf. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Fuel System, Gasoline: Fuel Injection System: Injectors Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Atlas FL and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The long fuel injectors may have been assembled without filters. NHTSA campaign 22V245000 · April 13, 2022 · Affected cars

2021 Volkswagen Atlas. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery: Fuel Pump Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI Ecoboost engines and 2013-2015 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor vehicles. A component within the fuel pump electric module (PEM) may overheat causing… NHTSA campaign 16V621000 · August 25, 2016 · Affected cars

2014 Ford Taurus. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

What happened when owners saw P0461?

5 of the 5 reports, spread across the models above, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.

This car has left me stranded multiple times. Took to dealership to find out the fuel pump that had been replaced at 90,000 was dead. Catalytic converter replaced at 125,000. Replaced fuel pump control module, fuel pump and sending unit for the 2nd time in 2014 Ford Taurus SEL AWD with 132,000 miles. Now it is sending a check engine code P0461 which is most likely due to the recent replacement messing with PCM values. The 3.5 DOHC engines should be recalled as well for the fuel system issues along with the other models recalled.
2014 Ford TaurusFuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11762264 · Sep 4, 2026
The vehicle would turn off randomly when stopped at a Stop sign or traffic light. It the had to be put in park and restarted. The dealership Kelly VW in Danvers, MA diagnosed the problem and this is what the invoice said. "cel is on code p0461 is active. performed tsb hooked up battery charger and updated ecm per tsb" Si, in my opinion this is at the least a potentially serious safety issue that should have warranted a recall and/or something that would be covered under the 80,000 mile or 8 year Federal Emissions Warranty
2021 Volkswagen AtlasUnknown Or Other, Engine, Fuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11608781 · Aug 15, 2024
Safety: Had a charcoal canister saturated with gasoline resulting in a fuel leak; gasoline was dripping down the rear right side of the car via the charcoal filter and soaking the rear fender. Raw fuel was also being pumped into the air intake of the engine (where air is supposed to go). Fuel tank was bulging due to the high pressure and could have cracked. Other symptoms: Had fuel spillback while refueling, and also could not fill the tank because the handle kept clicking. Car was riding rough and jerking randomly. Failed component: Dealer determined a faulty suction pump was causing liquid fuel to fill the charcoal canister while the car is running. This is the same part that was…
2017 Volkswagen GolfFuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11436229 · Oct 10, 2021
Safety: Had a charcoal canister saturated with gasoline resulting in a fuel leak; gasoline was dripping down the rear right side of the car via the charcoal filter and soaking the rear fender. Raw fuel was also being pumped into the air intake of the engine (where air is supposed to go). Fuel tank was bulging due to the high pressure and could have cracked. Other symptoms: Had fuel spillback while refueling, and also could not fill the tank because the handle kept clicking. Car was riding rough and jerking randomly. Failed component: Dealer determined a faulty suction pump was causing liquid fuel to fill the charcoal canister while the car is running. This is the same part that was…
2017 Volkswagen Golf GTIFuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11436229 · Oct 10, 2021
Safety: Had a charcoal canister saturated with gasoline resulting in a fuel leak; gasoline was dripping down the rear right side of the car via the charcoal filter and soaking the rear fender. Raw fuel was also being pumped into the air intake of the engine (where air is supposed to go). Fuel tank was bulging due to the high pressure and could have cracked. Other symptoms: Had fuel spillback while refueling, and also could not fill the tank because the handle kept clicking. Car was riding rough and jerking randomly. Failed component: Dealer determined a faulty suction pump was causing liquid fuel to fill the charcoal canister while the car is running. This is the same part that was…
2017 Volkswagen Golf RFuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11436229 · Oct 10, 2021

P0461: questions drivers ask

What does code P0461 mean?

P0461 is a generic OBD-II powertrain code. Its standard definition is "Fuel Level Sensor 'A' Circuit Range/Performance". The code tells you which system set the fault, not which part failed; the owner reports on this page show what it meant in practice for 5 car models.

Which cars get code P0461 most often?

In NHTSA owner complaints, P0461 is mentioned most for the Ford Taurus (1), Volkswagen Atlas (1), Volkswagen Golf (1), across 5 models and model years 2014 to 2021. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.

Is there a recall for code P0461?

No NHTSA recall text names P0461 directly. 3 recalls on the cars that report this code concern the same component owners name most (Fuel/Propulsion System); they may or may not relate to the code. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What should I do if my car shows P0461?

Write down when the code appeared and what the car did (warning lights, loss of power, noises, speed, weather). Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer or independent workshop to read the stored freeze-frame data before anyone clears the code, and keep the repair order. If the car loses power in traffic, stop driving it. CarHooq does not diagnose: these are owner reports and official recall notices, not repair advice.

How this page was made

CarHooq read the text of every owner complaint filed with NHTSA for 19 US and European brands (model years 2012 onwards) and picked out the diagnostic trouble codes owners wrote down. This page lists every mention of P0461. The definition is the generic SAE J2012 wording; a carmaker may use the code slightly differently. Nothing here is a diagnosis. Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain), retrieved November 3, 2026. How CarHooq reports are made.

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