P0500 Vehicle speed sensor signal missing or not believable

Vehicle speed sensor (VSS) malfunction

P0500 in short

P0500 means the engine computer lost or doubts the road-speed signal. A failed speed sensor or a wiring or connector fault is the usual cause. You can drive carefully, but the speedometer may be wrong and an automatic may shift badly, so have it inspected soon and stop if the red brake light comes on.

The vehicle speed sensor reports how fast the car is moving. The engine and transmission computers use it to time shifts and torque converter lock-up, and the speedometer and cruise control often use the same signal.

P0500 sets when that signal is missing, or does not make sense for how the car is being driven. The sensor may sit on the transmission, the differential or, on older cars, behind the speedometer.

Because so much depends on this signal, the symptoms are often easy to spot: a speedometer that bounces or reads zero, cruise control that drops out, and late, early or harsh shifts.

Most likely causes

  1. Failed vehicle speed sensor

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    The code is about this sensor's signal, and trade references list sensor failure as the cause of the speedometer, cruise and shifting complaints that come with it.
    What would change this
    Rises if the speed reading on a scan tool stays at zero or drops out while the car is moving and the wiring checks good. Falls if the reading is steady and correct.

  2. Damaged wiring or a loose, corroded connector to the speed sensor

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    The signal has to travel from the sensor to the computer, so a break or poor connection anywhere on that path sets the same code and the same symptoms as a failed sensor.
    What would change this
    Rises if the speed reading cuts in and out over bumps or when the harness is moved. Falls if the circuit tests good end to end.

  3. Loose speedometer drive gear or damaged sensor drive (some trucks)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Ford has a bulletin for 1997–1998 Expedition, F-Series and Navigator where a loose speedometer drive gear sets P0500 and related speed codes.
    What would change this
    Rises on those trucks, or if the sensor is good but its drive gear is loose or worn.

  4. Engine computer logic that needs an update (some models)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Toyota changed the engine computer logic on the 2002–2003 Camry to make P0500 less likely to set, so on covered cars the code can appear without a failed part.
    What would change this
    Rises if your VIN is covered by the bulletin and no fault is found in the sensor or wiring.

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

  1. Read all stored codes with a scan tool, including transmission codes if your tool can, and note the freeze-frame speed.

    Low riskTool: OBD-II scan tool

    • IfP0500 is stored, alone or with transmission codes

      It meansCheck the speed signal itself.

      Go to step 2

  2. Have a passenger watch the vehicle speed reading on the scan tool during a short, gentle drive on a quiet road, and compare it with the speedometer.

    Use cautionTool: OBD-II scan tool with live data

    Warning:The driver must not look at the scan tool while driving. Have a passenger read it, and stay on a quiet road at normal speeds.

  3. Ask a dealer whether your VIN has a bulletin for P0500. Ford, Nissan and Toyota have issued them on some models.

    Low risk

  4. Have a shop check the sensor's output and its wiring back to the computer, with the vehicle safely raised.

    Best left to a shopTool: multimeter or oscilloscope, wiring diagram

    Warning:Testing a speed sensor usually means raising the vehicle and spinning the wheels or driveshaft. Never work under a vehicle held only by a jack.

Symptoms

  • Speedometer reads zero, bounces or reads wrong
  • Cruise control will not set or drops out
  • Automatic transmission shifts late, early, harshly or stays in one gear
  • Red brake warning light on Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

How to fix

  1. Until it is fixed, judge your speed with care: drive with traffic, leave extra room and avoid relying on cruise control.

  2. Ask a dealer whether your VIN has an open bulletin or software update for P0500.

On your vehicle

Ford

  • 1997–1998 · Expedition

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ford bulletin 983170 traces P0500 and related speed codes on the 1997–1998 Expedition, F-Series and Navigator to a loose speedometer drive gear. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

  • 996768Status unverified

    Erratic shifting, erratic speedometer and P0500 (dual rear wheels)

    1999 · issued · NHTSA 608464

    Trucks with dual rear wheels built 22 February to 3 July 1999 can show erratic automatic shifting, an erratic speedometer and P0500. The NHTSA summary does not give the repair.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 983170Status unverified

    P0500, P0503, P1501 or P1503 from a loose speedometer drive gear

    1997–1998expedition, f-series · issued · NHTSA 607419

    A loose speedometer drive gear can set P0500 and related speed codes. Also covers the Lincoln Navigator.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Nissan

  • 2001 · Frontier · KA24DE

    Supported by vehicle data

    Nissan bulletin NTB01006 covers an inoperative speedometer with P0500 on 2001 Frontier and Xterra with the KA24DE and a manual transmission. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

  • NTB01006Status unverified

    Inoperative speedometer with P0500 (manual transmission)

    2001frontier, xterra · KA24DE · issued · NHTSA 618799

    Some trucks with the 4-cylinder KA24DE and a manual transmission can lose the speedometer and store P0500. The NHTSA summary does not give the repair.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Toyota

  • 2002–2003 · Camry

    Supported by vehicle data

    Toyota bulletin TSB-0072-10 modifies the engine computer logic so P0500 is less likely to set. On a covered car, check the software before replacing the sensor. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

  • TSB-0072-10Status unverified

    MIL on with P0500, engine computer logic modified

    2002–2003camry · issued · NHTSA 10034197

    Toyota changed the engine computer logic to reduce the chance of P0500 setting.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

No curated relationships for P0500 yet.

All Vehicle speed, idle control and engine electrical codes

P0500 questions

Can P0500 affect shifting?

Yes. Automatic transmissions use road speed to decide when to shift and lock the torque converter, so a bad signal can cause late, harsh or missing shifts.

Why does my speedometer not work with P0500?

On many vehicles the speedometer uses the same speed signal as the engine computer, so when the signal is lost both are affected.

Is it safe to drive with P0500?

Carefully, and not for long. You may not know your true speed and the transmission may shift badly. Stop and get help if the red brake warning light comes on.

Sources and review

  1. 2023 Integra Owner's Manual: Indicator, Coming On/Blinking — American Honda Motor Co.
  2. Tranny Problems: On the Outside Looking In — MOTOR Magazine ,
  3. Making Sense of Engine Sensors — AA1Car.com (Larry Carley)
  4. Toyota Camry Owner's Manual (OM06291U, 2.5L A25A-FKS / 3.5L 2GR-FKS) — Toyota
  5. Final Regulation Order: 13 CCR §1968.2, Malfunction and Diagnostic System Requirements (OBD II), 2004 and subsequent model-year passenger cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty vehicles (2015 amendments) — California Air Resources Board
  6. Ford 983170: P0500, P0503, P1501 or P1503 from a loose speedometer drive gear (1997–1998 Expedition, F-Series, Navigator) — Ford Motor Company / NHTSA ,
  7. Toyota TSB-0072-10: MIL on with P0500, ECM logic modified (2002–2003 Camry) — Toyota Motor Sales / NHTSA ,
  8. Nissan NTB01006: inoperative speedometer with P0500 (2001 Frontier and Xterra, KA24DE with manual transmission) — Nissan North America / NHTSA ,
  9. On-Board Diagnostic Trouble Codes (generic code title list) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles
  10. Ford 996768: erratic shifting, erratic speedometer and P0500 on 1999 Super Duty with dual rear wheels — Ford Motor Company / NHTSA ,
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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