Auto transmission output speed sensor lost.
P0722 — also written PO722, P 0722, 0722 — is the OBD-II code for output speed sensor no signal. 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 output shaft is spinning, so it panics and locks you in limp mode. It’s a classic headache on high-mileage Ford Powershift and VW DSG boxes.
P0722 is a transmission fault code, typically costing £150–£700 to put right in a UK garage.
What P0722 actually feels like to drive
- The car feels like it's hit a brick wall and won't shift out of 1st or 2nd gear (Limp Mode).
- Speedometer suddenly drops to zero while you're doing 60mph on the A9.
- Harsh 'clunk' when selecting Drive or Reverse from a standstill.
- Cruise control flat-out refuses to engage.
- The 'Transmission Service Required' message pops up, often accompanied by the ABS light.
What causes P0722?
- Failed sensor
- Wiring fault
UK vehicles that throw P0722 most often
- Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi (Powershift) 2011-2015
- Volkswagen Golf Mk6/Mk7 (DSG) 2009-2017
- Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 CDTi (AF40 6-speed Auto) 2008-2015
- Volvo V40 2.0 D3 (Geartronic) 2012-2018
- Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC (i-SHIFT) 2006-2011
How P0722 is fixed
- Replace sensor
- Repair wiring
The P0722 misdiagnosis that wastes money
I see folks constantly throwing £400 at a brand new Output Speed Sensor or even a refurbished valve body when the sensor itself is perfectly fine. On the Focus and Mondeo units, the real culprit is usually the wiring loom rubbing against the gearbox casing or a corroded connector pin hidden behind the battery tray. Don't just swap the sensor because the scanner told you to; I've lost count of how many times a simple £2 wire repair solved what a main dealer quoted as a 'gearbox replacement' job.
What a UK garage should charge for P0722
A diagnostic plug-in at an indie will run you £50-£80. If it's just the sensor, a Bosch or Febi unit is usually £40-£90, plus an hour's labour (£60-£100). However, on some DSG or Powershift boxes, the sensor is internal, meaning the 'mech' unit has to come off—that's when you're looking at £500-£700 including fresh fluid and filters. A main dealer will easily double these prices and try to sell you a whole new mechatronics unit for two grand.
P0722 repair cost in the UK
Most P0722 repairs land between £150–£700 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 P0722
If your garage says you need a new gearbox, ask them specifically: 'Have you scoped the output signal at the TCM connector?' If they haven't used an oscilloscope to see if the signal is actually reaching the brain, they're guessing with your wallet. Also, insist they check the 'reluctor ring' through the sensor hole. If that magnetic ring is cracked or caked in metallic sludge, a new sensor won't fix a thing. A quick clean with brake cleaner and a borescope check saves you hundreds.
Can you drive with P0722?
Limp mode.
Urgency: medium.