1. Year
2. Make
3. Model
4. Trim
5. Fuel Type

Great news! FIXD is compatible with your vehicle.

BUY NOW

Unfortunately, FIXD is not guaranteed to be compatible with your vehicle.

BLACK FRIDAY DEAL

Honda Civic P0101 – Meaning, Causes, Symptoms, & Fixes

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Diagnose and fix your check engine light yourself


See what your engine code means in plain English
Get the most likely repair and cost
Access our Mechanic Hotline
Do repairs yourself and save $1000s

What Does Honda Civic Code P0101 Mean?

  • Honda Civic P0101 definition: Mass Air Flow (MAF) Circuit/Performance Malfunction
  • Issue Severity: MODERATE – Extended driving with this code can cause internal engine damage.
  • Repair Urgency: Get this code fixed as soon as possible to avoid internal engine failure.
  • Diagnosis: Code P0101 does not pose any danger to the driver and will not prevent the vehicle from running. However, it will cause an increase in fuel consumption and rough operation. Sustained driving can lead to internal engine failure.

The mass air flow (MAF) sensor measures the amount of air entering the engine. Check engine light code P0101 is set when the measurement of air entering the engine by the mass air flow sensor is outside of the manufacturer’s specified range.

Most Likely Repair And Cost For Honda Civic P0101 By Year

The chart below shows the most likely repair and cost range for Civics for all of the years that FIXD has data on.

Year Most Likely Repair Cost Range

Honda Civic P0101 Causes

There are many potential causes of code P0101. Some are easy to check and correct yourself, such as a dirty air filter or mass air flow sensor. Other causes are more complicated, such as a vacuum leak or a clogged catalytic converter.

  • Dirty, obstructed, or faulty mass air flow sensor
  • Damaged or disconnected air intake boot (snorkel)
  • Vacuum leak
  • Clogged or improperly installed air filter
  • Clogged catalytic converter / restricted exhaust
  • P0101 is not one of the top 5 trouble codes for the Honda Civic but, it is still a common one.

Honda Civic P0101 Symptoms

How Do I Fix Honda Civic Code P0101?

With a mass air flow sensor fault, the first step is to get it diagnosed to figure out what is causing the problem.

If your vehicle has this fault and you’re not comfortable diagnosing this issue at home, we recommend finding a RepairPal certified shop nearby to pinpoint the problem and give an accurate estimate for repairs.

These shops can not only help you figure out what’s going wrong before you waste time and money on the wrong parts, but they also offer a minimum 12-month, 12,000-mile warranty and stand behind all their estimates with guaranteed fair pricing.

> Find a RepairPal Certified Shop Near You

How Much Does It Cost to Fix Honda Civic Code P0101?

P0101 can be caused by anything from a dirty air filter to a clogged catalytic converter. It’s impossible to give an accurate estimate without properly diagnosing the issue first.

If you take your car to a shop for diagnosis, most shops will start with an hour of “diag time” (the time spent in labor diagnosing your specific issue). Depending on the shop’s labor rate, this typically costs somewhere between $75-$150. Many, if not most, shops will apply this diagnosis fee to any required repairs if you have them perform the repairs for you. From there, a shop will be able to give you an accurate estimate for repairs to fix your P0101 code.

Other Possible Repairs for Honda Civic Code P0101

Once properly diagnosed, P0101 may require one or more of the following repairs to resolve the underlying issue. These prices are based on national averages and include parts and labor. Your cost may differ depending on your location and type of vehicle.

  • Air filter $50-70
  • Mass air flow sensor $220-320
  • Catalytic converter $1720-1780

DIY Steps to Diagnose Honda Civic Code P0101

Engine code P0101 could be caused by a number of things, including a dirty air filter, mass air flow sensor, catalytic converter, and more. If you’d like to try to fix code P0101 at home without throwing money at parts, you’ll want to follow the steps below for proper diagnosis. Keep in mind this is an intermediate-level diagnosis and repair and not recommended for beginners. Diagnosis beyond oil level and condition requires more specialized equipment beyond what the FIXD Sensor can provide and it can be a time and labor-intensive process for inexperienced DIYers.

DIY difficulty level: Intermediate

This repair requires mechanical knowledge and is not recommended for beginners.

Tools/parts needed:

  • FIXD
  • Screwdriver or basic socket set to remove the air intake snorkel
  • Mass air flow sensor cleaner

STEP 1: CHECK THE AIR FILTER.

Locate your air intake box that houses your air filter. Open the air intake box using the required tools for your vehicle. Ensure the air filter is seated properly and is clean. Reseat the air filter if it is not seated properly, and replace the air filter if it is dirty. This may be as much as you need to fix P0101, however, we recommend completing step 2 as well. It is not difficult or expensive and may improve performance.

STEP 2: CLEAN THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR.

Remove the wiring harness from the mass air flow sensor and remove the air intake snorkel from the air intake box. Use mass air flow sensor cleaner (DO NOT SUBSTITUTE ANY OTHER KIND OF CLEANER) to clean out the MAF sensor. Do this by spraying each side of the MAF sensor for 3-5 seconds, waiting 10 seconds, and then spraying it again for 3-5 seconds. Do not wipe it. The MAF sensor hot wires are very sensitive, and MAF sensor cleaner cleans and dries very quickly. Reconnect the air intake snorkel, close the air intake box, and reconnect the MAF sensor harness. Clear the check engine light code using the FIXD app and complete several drive cycles to ensure this was the correct fix.

STEP 3: CHECK FOR VACUUM LEAKS.

If your check engine light comes back on with diagnostic trouble code P0101, examine the air intake system for vacuum leaks.

STEP 4: CHECK THE EXHAUST.

If no vacuum leaks are found, the problem is likely a restriction in your exhaust. This could be a clogged catalytic converter, or physical damage to the exhaust itself, causing a restriction that prevents exhaust gases from flowing out of the engine smoothly.

Common Honda Civic P0101 Diagnosis Mistakes

Buying and installing a new mass air flow sensor without completing the entire diagnosis process.

Still Need Help Fixing Honda Civic Code P0101?

If you’ve followed the steps above and are still experiencing Honda Civic check engine code P0101, please contact the FIXD Mechanic Hotline if you’re a FIXD Premium subscriber or find a RepairPal certified shop near you to get the right repairs at a fair price.

Fixed It But The Check Engine Light Is Still On?

Check engine light sometimes need to be reset manually, check out our article:

How to Reset Your Check Engine Light | 4 Ways To Clear It (With or Without a Scanner)

FIXD Research Team

At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.

Find a Certified Shop

We've partnered with RepairPal to recommend trustworthy shops in your area. Enter your details to see certified shops near you that offer upfront estimates, guaranteed fair pricing, and a minimum 12-month, 12,000-mile warranty.














We’re here to help you simplify car care and save, so this post may contain affiliate links to help you do just that. If you click on a link and take action, we may earn a commission. However, the analysis and opinions expressed are our own.

Topics

About the Author

FIXD Research Team

FIXD Research Team

At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.

You might also like

Explore Car Resources

car insurance icons

Car Insurance

Find the best insurance deals for your car

Car Buying

Everything you need to know about buying a vehicle

FIXD Team logo

Car Care

Car repair costs, how-to guides, and more

car buying icons

Vehicle Search

Search any make/model for reviews, parts and more