P0238 on 2015-2024 Ford Transit — Turbocharger Boost Sensor A Circuit High
1 vehicles · 1 makes · $1,200-$3,500 repair
How to diagnose and fix P0238: most-reported vehicles
Ranked by owner reports. Each card gives the symptoms, how to confirm the cause, the fix, parts and sources for that vehicle.
Ford Transit · 2015–2024
The Ford Transit 350/350 HD with the 3.5L EcoBoost twin-turbocharged V6 experiences turbocharger failures from inadequate lubrication, carbon buildup in the turbo housings, wastegate actuator failure, and turbo bearing wear. OMS AutoParts and Autodoc document common Transit turbo problems including loss of power, turbo lag, unusual whistling/whining/grinding noises, and excessive smoke. The commercial use of Transit vans (frequent stop-and-go, high idle hours, heavy loads) accelerates turbo wear beyond what passenger vehicle applications typically experience. FordTransitUSAForum.com documents a case of turbo and manifold failure at 38,000 miles on a 3.5L EcoBoost Transit 350. RepairPal estimates turbocharger assembly replacement between $1,650 and $2,210 depending on the Transit model variant.
Common Symptoms
- Loss of power or reduced boost
- Excessive turbo lag (slow boost response)
- Whistling, whining, or grinding noise from turbo area
- Excessive blue or black smoke from exhaust
- Check engine light with boost-related codes
- Oil leak from turbo drain or feed lines
- Burning oil smell from engine bay
- Reduced fuel economy
How to Fix
For wastegate actuator failures (most common turbo issue): replacement of the actuator alone ($200-400) may resolve boost control issues without full turbo replacement. For internal turbo bearing failure or impeller damage, complete turbo replacement is required. RepairPal estimates $1,650-2,210 for turbo assembly replacement. For Transit commercial vehicles, change oil every 5,000 miles (not the factory 10k interval) and allow 30-60 seconds of idle time before shutdown after sustained driving to allow turbo bearing oil to circulate. Never shut off a hot turbocharged engine immediately after towing or hard driving.
Sources for this issue (1)
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P0238 code reference
General diagnostic-code context. The code alone does not confirm a cause for your vehicle; use the applicable issue card and its sources.
Frequently asked questions
What does P0238 mean?
P0238 stands for "Turbocharger Boost Sensor A Circuit High." This code sets when the turbocharger (or supercharger) boost pressure sensor 'A' reports a voltage that's higher than the normal operating range. That sensor tells the computer how much boost the engine is making so it can manage fuel, timing, and the wastegate. A reading that's too high usually means an electrical problem in the sensor or its wiring rather than dangerously high actual boost, though the computer may reduce power as a precaution. It generally points to a sensor, wiring, or connection fault in the boost-monitoring circuit.
What are the most common causes of P0238?
The most common causes of P0238 are: Faulty turbocharger boost pressure sensor, Wiring shorted to voltage or to another high-signal wire, Corroded or damaged sensor connector, Open or high-resistance ground for the sensor, Disconnected or blocked boost pressure reference hose, Failed reference voltage circuit in the ECM/PCM. The specific cause varies by vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix P0238?
Repair costs for P0238 range from $1,200 to $3,500, depending on the vehicle and root cause.
Which vehicles are affected by P0238?
Au7o has documented P0238 across 1 vehicle models from 1 manufacturers: Ford.
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Content compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, and owner reports. May contain errors. Always verify with your vehicle's service manual.