Trans input speed sensor fault.
P0715 — also written PO715, P 0715, 0715 — is the OBD-II code for input/turbine speed sensor. Same code, same fix: this page covers every spelling of it.
This code means the gearbox 'brain' has lost its eyes—it can't see how fast the engine is spinning the input shaft, usually resulting in a gearbox that's stuck in 3rd and shifting like a mule kicking a fence. Common on older Mercedes, Vauxhalls, and Ford transaxles.
P0715 is a transmission fault code, typically costing £150–£600 to put right in a UK garage.
What P0715 actually feels like to drive
- The car 'bangs' or jolts violently into Drive or Reverse.
- Gearbox goes into 'Limp Mode' (stuck in 3rd gear) to protect itself.
- Speedometer needle starts bouncing or dies completely while driving.
- High revs but the car isn't going anywhere fast, like a slipping clutch.
- The 'Check Engine' or 'Cog' light is glowing on the dash.
- Cruise control refuses to engage no matter how many times you press it.
What causes P0715?
- Sensor failure
- Wiring
UK vehicles that throw P0715 most often
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W203/W204) with 722.6/722.9 boxes
- Vauxhall Astra/Insignia (AF40 Aisin Warner automatic) 2008-2015
- Ford Focus 2.0 TDCI (Powershift 6DCT450) 2010-2016
- Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC (Automatic) 2006-2012
- Land Rover Freelander 2 (Aisin AWF21) 2006-2014
- Volkswagen Golf Mk5/Mk6 (6-Speed DSG DQ250) 2004-2012
How P0715 is fixed
- Sensor replacement
The P0715 misdiagnosis that wastes money
I’ve seen dozens of lads rush to swap the sensor and then scratch their heads when the P0715 stays put. On the Mercedes 722.6 boxes, it’s rarely the sensor itself but the conductor plate it sits on, or the 'pilot bush' leaking ATF into the wiring loom. I’ve even seen guys drop £400 on sensors when the culprit was just a corroded connector pin caused by road salt or a gearbox oil leak that’s wicked its way up to the TCM. Always check for 'green crusties' in the plugs before buying parts.
What a UK garage should charge for P0715
A basic diagnostic scan will run you £50 to £80 at an indie. If it’s an external sensor, like on an Astra, expect to pay £150 to £220 for a Bosch or Delphi part and an hour's labour. However, if it’s a Mercedes or a DSG where the sensor is inside the box, you’re looking at £450 to £650 because we have to drop the pan, swap the conductor plate, and refill it with fresh Febi or Bilstein ATF. Main dealers will easily double these prices just for the privilege of the fancy coffee.
P0715 repair cost in the UK
Most P0715 repairs land between £150–£600 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 P0715
If a garage tells you that you need a brand new gearbox for £3k, ask them for a live data printout of the 'G195' or 'Turbine Speed' readings. If they can’t show you, they’re guessing. Insist on a 'continuity and resistance' test of the wiring harness. In many cases, especially on Vauxhalls and Fords, it’s a simple loom repair rather than an internal box fault. Also, if you’re doing the sensor, always get a fresh gearbox oil and filter service at the same time—it’s cheap insurance while the pan is already off.
Can you drive with P0715?
Erratic shifting possible.
Urgency: high.