Low engine oil level; Faulty oil pressure sensor; Sensor signal wire shorted to ground; Worn oil pump, blocked pickup or worn bearings causing real low pressure.

How much does it cost to fix P0522?

Usually 60–1500 € at an independent workshop in Europe, depending on which part is at fault.

P0522 Engine oil pressure sensor/switch A low

What P0522 means

The engine control unit sees a low signal from the oil pressure sensor. This can be an electrical fault, such as a short to ground, or genuinely low oil pressure, which can destroy an engine within minutes.

P0522 is a generic SAE J2012 code: it means the same on every make. The exact cause still depends on the car, so read the freeze-frame data before replacing parts.

At a glance

Severity: Medium
Typical repair cost: 60–1500 €
Workshop time: 0.5–6 h
Repair difficulty: Medium
DIY possible: Yes
Check engine light: Yes
Affects emissions test: No

Parts and labour at an independent workshop in Europe. Main dealers charge more; the cause decides the bill, not the code.

Symptoms

Oil pressure warning light on
Oil pressure gauge reading low
Possible engine ticking or knocking

Common causes

Low engine oil level
Faulty oil pressure sensor
Sensor signal wire shorted to ground
Worn oil pump, blocked pickup or worn bearings causing real low pressure

Can I keep driving with P0522?

Check the oil level immediately. If the oil level is low or the red oil warning is on with engine noise, do not drive until the cause is found; if the level is fine and the engine sounds normal, drive gently to a workshop.

What to check first

Check and top up the engine oil
Inspect the sensor wiring for a short to ground or oil contamination
Measure the actual oil pressure with a mechanical gauge
Replace the sensor if pressure is normal; otherwise find the cause of low pressure

Related codes

Data: TORKO fault-code catalogue, built on OBDex (CC0-1.0) and reviewed against workshop practice. Informational only — it does not replace a diagnosis by a mechanic.
Updated: 2026-10-24