Auto transmission fluid temperature sensor fault.
P0710 — also written PO71O, P 0710, 0710 — is the OBD-II code for transmission fluid temperature sensor circuit. Same code, same fix: this page covers every spelling of it.
This code means the gearbox brain has lost track of how hot the oil is, usually because the internal sensor has packed up or the wiring loom has degraded. It's a classic headache on high-mileage Hyundai Tucsons and older Nissan Qashqais.
P0710 is a transmission fault code, typically costing £200–£900 to put right in a UK garage.
What P0710 actually feels like to drive
- Gearbox feels like it's 'thumping' into D or R from a standstill.
- The car gets stuck in 3rd gear (Limp Mode) and won't shift up on the dual carriageway.
- Stop-start system stops working because the ECU is confused about the trans temp.
- 'Transmission Service Required' message on the dash, often disappearing after a restart.
- Fuel economy tanking because the torque converter lock-up isn't engaging.
What causes P0710?
- Failed TFT sensor
- Contaminated ATF affecting sensor
- Wiring fault
UK vehicles that throw P0710 most often
- Hyundai Tucson 1.7 CRDi (2015-2020) - Very common internal loom failure.
- Nissan Qashqai 1.6 dCi (J11) with Xtronic CVT.
- Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi (Powershift 6DCT450) - Sensor often clogged with clutch debris.
- Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi (2010-2016) - Internal TFT sensor failure.
- Vauxhall Insignia (AF40 6-speed auto) - Internal wiring harness issues.
How P0710 is fixed
- Replace TFT sensor (usually integrated in solenoid pack)
- ATF and filter service
The P0710 misdiagnosis that wastes money
I see folks constantly throwing £100 at a new gearbox cooler or flushing the fluid three times thinking it’s 'overheating'. In my experience, especially on the Hyundai and Kia units, it’s rarely a cooling issue. It’s almost always the internal sensor or the dreaded 'ribbon cable' loom inside the box. People waste money on external sensors too, not realising the one the ECU is actually complaining about is buried deep inside the valve body submerged in oil.
What a UK garage should charge for P0710
A proper diagnostic plug-in will cost you £60-£90 at an indie. If it’s a Hyundai/Kia, the sensor part is only about £40, but the labour is the killer—you’re looking at £250-£350 because the pan has to come off. On a Ford Powershift, if the sensor is gunked up, you're looking at a full service with Millers or Castrol fluid which alone is £150, plus labour, totalling near £500. A main dealer will likely quote you £900+ for a complete solenoid pack.
P0710 repair cost in the UK
Most P0710 repairs land between £200–£900 including parts and labour. The spread is wide because the cheap fix (a sensor, a hose, a leak) and the expensive fix (a major component) throw the same code — which is why a proper diagnosis before parts are bought saves the most money.
Bob's tip on P0710
If you’re taking this to a garage, ask them to 'live data' the transmission temp from a cold start. If the scan tool says the oil is 120°C when the car hasn't moved all night, the sensor is toast. Don't let them just 'clear the code' and send you off; this fault can put the car into 'Limp Home' mode right when you're pulling out onto a busy roundabout. Insist on a genuine sensor or a reputable brand like LuK or Febi; the cheap eBay ones often have the wrong resistance and will have you back in the workshop in a week.
Can you drive with P0710?
Yes but book in — running hot ATF kills auto boxes.
Urgency: medium.