The pressure across the DPF is lower than expected — sensor or pipe fault, not usually the DPF itself.
P244A — also written P244A, P 244A, 244A — is the OBD-II code for diesel particulate filter differential pressure too low. Same code, same fix: this page covers every spelling of it.
This code means the ECU isn't seeing enough resistance across the DPF. It's almost always a burst rubber hose or a duff sensor on a Ford or Jag rather than a melted filter.
P244A is a emissions fault code, typically costing £60–£1800 to put right in a UK garage.
What P244A actually feels like to drive
- Engine Management Light (EML) on, often shortly after a motorway run.
- Car drops into 'limp mode' with reduced power, making overtakes dodgy.
- Start-Stop system stops working (standard safety lockout for emissions codes).
- Noticeable whistling or hissing noise from under the car when accelerating.
- DPF warning light might flash, but the car doesn't feel like it's actually blocked.
What causes P244A?
- Failed DPF differential pressure sensor
- Split or disconnected DPF sense pipe
- Cracked DPF substrate
UK vehicles that throw P244A most often
- Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi (DV6) 2011-2015 - notorious for split pipes.
- Jaguar XF 3.0d (2009-2015) - sensor failure is bread and butter on these.
- Ford Transit Custom 2.0 EcoBlue - early sensor revisions were weak.
- Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 - vibration cracks the pressure lines.
- Mazda 6 2.2 SkyActiv-D - sensor internal faults are common.
How P244A is fixed
- Replace DPF pressure sensor (cheap first fix)
- Replace rubber sense pipes
- Backpressure test before DPF replacement
The P244A misdiagnosis that wastes money
I see lads jumping straight to condemning the DPF itself, which is a massive blunder. They assume 'Low Pressure' means the filter has been hollowed out or failed internally. In reality, nine times out of ten, it’s just a £2 split in the rubber hose leading to the sensor. I’ve seen folk spend £800 on a new aftermarket DPF only for the light to come back on because they didn't check the 10-inch piece of pipework that was perished near the DPF inlet.
What a UK garage should charge for P244A
If it’s just the rubber hoses, you’re looking at £60-£90 for a fix using high-temp silicone tubing. A genuine Bosch or FoMoCo sensor will set you back £80-£150 plus an hour's labour (£60-£100). If you're unlucky and the DPF substrate has actually cracked or been 'cleaned' with a hammer, a quality aftermarket unit (like EEC or BM Catalysts) is £400-£700, while a main dealer will want £1,500+ for an OE brick.
P244A repair cost in the UK
Most P244A repairs land between £60–£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 P244A
Before you let a garage sell you a DPF, ask them to 'smoke test' the differential pressure lines. It takes five minutes to see if smoke leaks out of a split hose. Also, insist they check the live data for the pressure sensor with the engine off; if it’s reading anything other than zero, the sensor's internal diaphragm is shot. If they tell you the DPF is 'cracked', ask for the soot readings—if the tailpipe is clean and soot levels are normal, it's rarely the brick itself.
Can you drive with P244A?
Yes — but the warning will return until the underlying sensor or pipe is fixed.
Urgency: medium.