OBD-II Code P0317 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

P0317 means the rough road sensor or rough road detection system has a problem. Your vehicle uses a rough road sensor to distinguish between engine misfires and bumps in the road — because both look similar to the ECM. When this sensor fails, the ECM can't accurately detect real misfires. You may notice the misfire warning light coming on over bumps when no misfire is really happening. This is a diagnostic system failure, not an engine problem.

Affected Models

All vehicles 1996+ with rough road detection
Common in Ford vehicles
Common in GM (Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac)
Common in Chrysler/Dodge/Ram trucks
Common in vehicles with ABS-based misfire detection

Common Causes

Failed rough road sensor — the sensor that measures vertical wheel movement is faulty
Damaged or corroded wiring to the rough road sensor or wheel speed sensors used for detection
ABS wheel speed sensor failure — many systems use ABS sensors as a proxy for road conditions
Rough road detection software or ECM calibration issue
Damaged reluctor ring on the wheel hub causing false signals to the detection system

How to Fix It

Scan for all codes and note any ABS codes stored alongside P0317. Codes like C0035 (wheel speed sensor circuit) often accompany P0317 because many vehicles use ABS sensors as part of the rough road detection system.

Fixing an underlying ABS wheel speed sensor fault will often resolve P0317 at the same time.
Inspect the wheel speed sensors at each wheel. Look for damaged wiring, loose connectors, or physical damage to the sensor. Pay attention to the sensor air gap — if the sensor has moved away from the reluctor ring, it may produce weak signals.

Wheel speed sensor connectors are exposed to road debris and moisture. Corrosion is extremely common.
Check the reluctor rings (tone wheels) on the wheel hubs or CV axles. These are toothed rings that pass by the sensor to generate speed signals. A chipped or broken tooth creates irregular signals that can trigger rough road detection errors.

Damaged reluctor rings can sometimes be seen with a flashlight without removing the wheel.
Inspect the wiring harness between the rough road or wheel speed sensors and the ECM/ABS module. Look for chafing, cracked insulation, or broken connectors. The wiring near the wheel well is particularly vulnerable to road damage.

Use a multimeter to test continuity and resistance in suspect wires.
If sensors and wiring test correctly, have a mechanic monitor the rough road signal using a live data scan. If the signal is constantly showing rough conditions even on smooth pavement, a sensor replacement is needed. If the signal looks correct, an ECM recalibration may be required.

Some manufacturers have released software updates to address false rough road detection issues.

When to Call a Professional

Diagnosing P0317 properly requires understanding whether the vehicle uses a dedicated rough road sensor or derives the signal from ABS wheel speed sensors. A mechanic with the right scan tool can monitor the rough road signal in real time and identify which sensor is providing bad data. Expect $100-$200 for diagnosis and $100-$300 to replace a wheel speed or rough road sensor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do cars have a rough road sensor?

When you drive over a bumpy road, the engine shakes briefly — just like it does during a misfire. Without a rough road sensor, the ECM would constantly trigger false misfire codes every time you hit a pothole. The rough road sensor tells the ECM 'the shaking is from the road, not a misfire' so it can ignore those vibrations. When this sensor fails, the ECM either generates false misfire codes or can't detect real misfires properly.

Will P0317 cause my check engine light to come on?

Yes — P0317 will illuminate the check engine light. It may also affect the accuracy of misfire detection while the fault is active. In some cases, the vehicle may generate false misfire codes when driving over rough roads. The engine itself is not necessarily misfiring — the detection system is just compromised.

Is P0317 expensive to fix?

Usually not. If the fix is a wheel speed sensor, that typically costs $50-$150 for the part and $50-$100 for labor. Wiring repairs are generally $50-$200 depending on the extent of damage. In rare cases where the rough road sensor is a separate dedicated component, pricing varies by vehicle. Diagnosis is key — the actual failing component is almost always inexpensive.