Fault Code Lookup › Powertrain codes › P2196

P2196 Powertrain · generic OBD-II

O2 Sensor Signal Stuck Rich

P2196 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 18 complaints filed with NHTSA. Updated November 3, 2026.

  • 18owner reports
  • 7car models
  • 0mention a crash
  • 0mention a fire
  • 2013–2018model years

Which cars get code P2196?

Every model whose owners mentioned P2196 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 P2196 show up?

By brand

  • Ford15
  • Volkswagen3

Component the owner filed it under

  1. Fuel/Propulsion System13 (72.2%)
  2. Engine12 (66.7%)
  3. Power Train5 (27.8%)
  4. Vehicle Speed Control2 (11.1%)
  5. Fuel System1 (5.6%)
  6. Gasoline1 (5.6%)

Is there a recall for P2196?

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: Storage: Evaporative Emissions: Canister Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Focus vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 18V735. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving. NHTSA campaign 26V369000 · June 9, 2026 · Affected cars

2017 Ford Focus, 2016 Ford Focus, 2014 Ford Focus, 2013 Ford Focus. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Fuel System, Gasoline: Storage Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 and 2017 Focus vehicles equipped with 2.0L GDI gasoline engines and 2013-2014 Focus ST vehicles equipped with 2.0L GTDI engines, previously recalled under 18V-735. The affected vehicles did not have the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) updated as… NHTSA campaign 19V515000 · July 5, 2019 · Affected cars

2017 Ford Focus, 2014 Ford Focus, 2013 Ford Focus. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Fuel System, Gasoline: Storage Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles with a 2.0L GDI or 2.0L GTDI engine. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system. NHTSA campaign 18V735000 · October 22, 2018 · Affected cars

2017 Ford Focus, 2016 Ford Focus, 2014 Ford Focus, 2013 Ford Focus. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Fuel System, Gasoline: Fuel Injection System: Fuel Rail Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to November 24, 2014, 2014-2015 Passat vehicles manufactured April 7, 2014, to November 18, 2014, 2015 Golf and GTI vehicles manufactured July 1, 2014, to November 20… NHTSA campaign 15V028000 · January 23, 2015 · Affected cars

2014 Volkswagen Passat. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery: Fuel Pump Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the agency on January 8, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured April 15, 2014, to May 8, 2014, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles manufactured April 21, 2014, to May 15, 2014. On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall… NHTSA campaign 15V005000 · January 9, 2015 · Affected cars

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

Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Ford Focus vehicles manufactured May 1, 2014, to May 24, 2014, 2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured on June 6, 2014, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles manufactured June 4, 2014, to July 7, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the Fuel Delivery… NHTSA campaign 14V525000 · September 2, 2014 · Affected cars

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

Fuel System, Gasoline Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Edge vehicles manufactured from September 2, 2010, through April 25, 2013, and equipped with 2.0L engines. The fuel line pulse damper metal housing may crack as a result of an improper manufacturing process. A cracked fuel line… NHTSA campaign 14V002000 · January 6, 2014 · Affected cars

2013 Ford Edge. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

What happened when owners saw P2196?

10 of the 18 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.

Error p2196 and p1450 issue with PCM, EVAP and bank 1 sensor know issues and recalls on same year make and model st I have an se having same problem
2014 Ford FocusEngine, Fuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11530969 · Jul 7, 2023
THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON IN MY CAR. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID IT HAD THE CODES OF P2196 AND P2198 A H02S HEATED OXYGEN SENSOR IS MALFUNTIONING. WHEN THE REP PULLED UP THE CODES HE INFORMED ME THEY HAD THOUSANDS OF MY SAME VEHICLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I CONTACTED FORD WARRANTY AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED. THIS IS HORRIBLE FOR FORD TO KNOW THIS IS A DEFECT ON THEIR VEHICLE AND NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING IT. SO I WOULD LIKE TO LAUNCH THIS FORMAL COMPLAINT. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE AGAIN. THE AIP HAS GONE OUT IN MY VEHICLE AND I HAVE HAD OTHER ISSUES THAT THE FORD WARRANTY HAS SAID DID NOT APPLY. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE LIGHT CAME ON.
2013 Ford EdgeVehicle Speed Control, Engine, Fuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11378332 · Dec 7, 2020
I PURCHASED THE CAR [XXX], FEW WEEKS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THEN DISAPPEARED, I WAS ALSO EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAT COOLING FUNCTION, AS THE TOUCH SCREEN CONTROLS WAS SHOWING THAT THEY WERE BOTH ON AND IT WAS STILL WINTER/RAINY SEASON OUTSIDE. I TOOK THE CAR INNTO FORD DEALER AT SAN BERNARDINO CA, THEY TOLD ME THAT MOST LIKELY IT WAS JUST A DASHBOARD LIGHT MALFUNCTION BECAUSE THE DIAGNOSTICS RESULTS CAME OUT FINE AND AFTER RESEARCHING IN OTHER MANUALS EVEN THOUGH THE SEAT COOLING FUNCTION WAS SWITCHED TO "on", THE CAR DID NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH SEAT COOLING ONLY HEATED SEATS. 3 WEEKS LATER AFTER TAKING MY CAR HOME, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN ON Y DASHBOARD, I…
2018 Ford FusionPower Train, Engine, Fuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11580810 · Apr 2, 2024
2014 VW PASSAT TDI SE 2.0L MANUAL MY VEHICLE HAS 62,583 MI. ON IT. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE DIESEL "GLOW PLUG" LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING ON THE DASHBOARD AND I LOST ALL ENGINE POWER. I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO REACH THE ROADSIDE SAFELY AND I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR TO A HALT ON THE ROADSIDE. TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE HOWEVER WAS NOT POSSIBLE, THE "GLOW PLUG" LIGHT CONTINUED TO FLASH AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. VW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CALLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST VW DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAVE WAS GIVEN THE ERROR CODE INFORMATION BELOW AND TOLD MY TURBO AND ENGINE NEED TO BE REPLACED BUT THAT THEY ARE OUTSIDE OF MY 5YR/60,000 MI WARRANTY. P0671-CYLINDER…
2014 Volkswagen PassatPower Train, Engine, Fuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11015049 · Aug 14, 2017
While driving on the expressway the check engine light came on and the car started to shake violently. The car doesn't accelerate right away. After inspection, the auto shop provided the following comments: Engine is burning coolant, upon arrival vehicle low 1 gallon of coolant no coolant leaks present. After adding coolant and starting up white smoke coming out of tail pipe smelling like burnt coolant. Codes present for check engine light P0300 random misfire detected P0302 cylinder 2 misfire detected P0316 misfire detected upon start up p0456 evap system lean p1456 unable to bleed fuel fuel tank P2196 02 sensor signal. Oxygen sensors needed due to coolant burning Purge valve needed Engine…
2017 Ford EscapeEngineNHTSA complaint 11601267 · Jul 11, 2024
[XXX]: check engine light was on and codes P2196 and P2198 were present. The dealer suspected it was the purge valve, causing the problem so they replaced it and reset the codes. 10/10/24: I brought the truck in to have it looked at due to the check engine light being on again. I was told the lead frame needed to be replaced but was on backorder. The bill to diagnose this was 196.80 and I was told I could still drive it. On [XXX], I had to bring my truck in to be inspected because while I was going about 70 mph it all of a sudden downshifted and jerked me forward like it was going to abruptly stop. The check engine light came on and I had to drive pretty slow to avoid a breakdown on the…
2015 Ford F-150Power Train, Vehicle Speed Control, EngineNHTSA complaint 11650362 · Mar 24, 2025
The vehicle shakes, stalls shuts off when filling up with gas. Once gas is added, you have to keep the feet on the gas (reveing up to ensure it starts), then drive to get the gas flowing into the engine. The vehicle was taken for diagnostic with an Auto Zone and a mechanic and the codes pulled (more than once) was...P1450 and P2196. This was brought to the attention of dealer at time of purchase and requested another vehicle. They ensured it could be fixed; after another yr. or more now the codes are appearing again. I have dates for repair, but will have to get copies of work completed from the dealer.
2017 Ford FocusPower Train, Engine, Fuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11515951 · Apr 7, 2023
THE CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH STALLING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, WHEN IN MOTION BOTH AT LOW SPEEDS AND UP TO 40 MPH, AS WELL AS AT IDLE. EACH TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED. IT HAS GIVEN CODES P2196 AND P1450. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS, AND THEY SAID IT NEEDS THE FUEL VAPOR CANISTER PURGE VALVE REPLACED. I NOTICED THAT FORD ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE FOCUS, 18S32, FOR A FAULTY VAPOR CANISTER PURGE VALVE, AND HAVE FOUND MUCH EVIDENCE ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ACROSS FORD PRODUCT LINES. THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER EITHER THE EMISSIONS OR THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. *TR
2016 Ford EdgeFuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11321324 · Apr 16, 2020
Check engine has been off and on for last 500 miles. Regular maintenance. Took to dealership, Codes found of P0303, P0300, and p2196. Found coolant was low and confirmed coolant intrusion into engine. Per dealership either bad head, head gasket, or block and ford recommended replacing engine. Quoted $9000 in repairs to replace engine. Declined repair due to cost. According to NHTSA this is a common issue and should be addressed. Unsafe to drive however repair costs, and now inability to trade in, force driving until no longer can
2017 Ford FusionEngineNHTSA complaint 11560714 · Dec 18, 2023
TOOK OUR 2014 PASSAT TDI IN FOR A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON 7/18/16 AFTER TESTING A FAULT CODE OF P2196 INDICATED AN 02 SENSOR WAS FAULTY. NEGOTIATED TO $300 TO REPAIR/REPLACE UNIT. PICKED UP VEHICLE ON 7/21/16 AFTER REPAIR WAS MADE. ON 8/3/16 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AGAIN CAME ON. RETURNED TO DEALER AND THEY INDICATE THAT THE ADBLUE HEATER ELEMENT WAS FAULTY. RECOMMEND REPLACING AT A COST OF CLOSE TO $1,000.00. SINCE THIS IS PART OF THE EMISSIONS ISSUE WE FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER ANY AND ALL WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAS 48,875 MILES ON IT AND IS ONLY 2 1/2 YEARS OLD.
2014 Volkswagen PassatFuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 10893446 · Aug 5, 2016

P2196: questions drivers ask

What does code P2196 mean?

P2196 is a generic OBD-II powertrain code. Its standard definition is "O2 Sensor Signal Stuck Rich". 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 7 car models.

Which cars get code P2196 most often?

In NHTSA owner complaints, P2196 is mentioned most for the Ford Focus (6), Ford Edge (3), Ford Fusion (3), across 7 models and model years 2013 to 2018. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.

Is there a recall for code P2196?

No NHTSA recall text names P2196 directly. 7 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 P2196?

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 P2196. 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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