P0500: Vehicle Speed Sensor A Malfunction
The engine computer isn't getting a usable vehicle speed signal.
Green, yellow, red: three ways P0500 can look
The same code can be a quick fix or a reason to pull over. Match your situation to the closest example.
Keep an eye on it
Speedometer works, code set once.
Schedule a repair
Speedometer dead or shifting odd. Repair soon.
Stop and get help
Harsh shifting with ABS disabled. Drive gently and get it fixed.
Symptoms you might notice
- Speedometer not working
- Harsh or odd shifting
- Cruise control not working
- ABS light
Common causes, cheapest first
- Failed speed sensor
- Wiring problem
- ABS wheel speed sensor issue on some vehicles
What you can check before calling
- Watch whether the speedometer works
A code points to a system, not a part. Replacing parts based on the code alone is how people spend money without fixing the problem. Testing confirms the cause first.
Generic codes (second character 0) mean the same thing on every vehicle. Some manufacturers add their own details, so check service information for your exact vehicle.
Related codes
More idle, speed & electrical codes
Look up another code
Cummins fault code (like 1922), J1939 SPN and FMI (like SPN 3251 FMI 0), or an OBD-II code (like P0420).
Questions
What does P0500 mean?
P0500 means "Vehicle Speed Sensor A Malfunction". The engine computer isn't getting a usable vehicle speed signal.
Can I drive with code P0500?
It depends on what the vehicle is doing. Green: Speedometer works, code set once. Yellow: Speedometer dead or shifting odd. Repair soon. Red: Harsh shifting with ABS disabled. Drive gently and get it fixed.
What causes P0500?
The most common causes are: failed speed sensor; wiring problem; aBS wheel speed sensor issue on some vehicles.
Is P0500 a serious code?
It can be. Harsh shifting with ABS disabled. Drive gently and get it fixed.
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