Same as P2002 but bank 2.
P2003 — also written P2OO3, P 2003, 2003 — is the OBD-II code for diesel particulate filter efficiency below threshold (bank 2). Same code, same fix: this page covers every spelling of it.
This one specifically targets the second bank of cylinders on V-engines, meaning it's almost always found on the big 3.0-litre Jags, Rangies, and Audi V6 TDIs. It means the DPF isn't cleaning the soot out properly, usually because it's too choked to trigger a regen.
P2003 is a emissions fault code, typically costing £150–£1800 to put right in a UK garage.
What P2003 actually feels like to drive
- The car feels like it's pulling a caravan that isn't there (massive power loss).
- Stuck in 'Limp Mode'—won't rev past 2,500 or 3,000 RPM.
- Stop/Start system stops working entirely (the ECU won't allow it with an active DPF fault).
- Heavy smell of diesel or hot metal after you park up.
- The cooling fans keep screaming for 5 minutes after you turn the engine off.
- Fuel economy has absolutely tanked, dropping by 10-15 MPG.
What causes P2003?
- Blocked DPF
- Failed sensor
UK vehicles that throw P2003 most often
- Land Rover Discovery 4/5 3.0 SDV6 (2010-2020)
- Range Rover Sport 3.0 TDV6 / SDV6 (2009-2018)
- Jaguar XF & XJ 3.0d (2009-2015) (AJ126/AJ127 engines)
- Audi A6 / A8 3.0 TDI (2011-2017) (V6 engines)
- Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 TDI (2010-2018)
How P2003 is fixed
- Regen or replace
The P2003 misdiagnosis that wastes money
I see a lot of lads jump straight to the sensor or, worse, a massive bill for a new DPF. Most of the time, P2003 isn't the DPF dying—it's being killed by something else. We've had loads of Land Rover V6s in where the garage down the road just fitted a cheap aftermarket sensor and it did nothing. Usually, it’s a boost leak in the intercooler hoses or a sticky EGR valve that’s loading the filter with soot faster than it can burn it off. If you don't fix the soot source, that new DPF will be clogged again in a fortnight.
What a UK garage should charge for P2003
A standard diagnostic and 'forced regeneration' starts around £120-£150. If that fails, an on-car chemical soak (using something like JLM or TerraClean) usually runs £250-£350. Now, if the DPF is melted or 'ash-full,' a genuine swap is a killer—Jaguar/LR dealers will want £1,800-£2,500 for the part alone. We usually source Bosch or OE-equivalent units for around £700-£900 plus 3 or 4 hours of labour at £70/hr. Expect to pay £1,200 all-in for a quality replacement that'll actually last an MOT cycle.
P2003 repair cost in the UK
Most P2003 repairs land between £150–£1800 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 P2003
When you call the garage, don't just ask for a 'DPF clean.' Ask them to perform a 'dynamic pressure test' first. You want to know the millibar readings at idle and at 2500rpm. A good tech should also check the oil dilution levels on their scanner. If the oil is way above the 'max' mark on the dipstick because of failed regens, it'll ruin your turbo. Insist on an oil and filter change as part of the job if the DPF has been blocked for a while, otherwise, you're just asking for an engine failure.
Can you drive with P2003?
Limp mode likely.
Urgency: high.