The P0317 OBD-II trouble code means the powertrain control module cannot confirm that the vehicle’s rough-road detection hardware or data is available.
The generic definition is:
P0317 — Rough Road Hardware Not Present
Despite the wording, P0317 does not necessarily mean someone physically removed a mysterious “rough road sensor” from the vehicle.
Depending on the application, the PCM may determine rough-road conditions using:
- ABS wheel-speed sensors
- Electronic Brake Control Module data
- A dedicated accelerometer
- A suspension or body acceleration sensor
- Crankshaft-speed information
- Communication messages from another control module
The PCM uses this information to determine whether sudden crankshaft-speed changes are caused by an actual engine misfire or by the vehicle traveling over potholes, gravel, railroad tracks, or another uneven surface.
When that hardware, signal, configuration, or module communication is unavailable, the PCM may store P0317.
P0317 belongs to the powertrain-code family covered in the complete Pro Street P-code OBD-II guide.
P0317 Quick Answer
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Trouble code | P0317 |
| Definition | Rough Road Hardware Not Present |
| System | Rough-road detection and misfire validation |
| Severity | Moderate |
| Safe to drive? | Usually briefly, unless ABS, traction-control or severe drivability problems are present |
| Most common causes | Missing rough-road data, module configuration, wiring, sensor or communication fault |
| Common data sources | Wheel-speed sensors, ABS module, accelerometer or dedicated rough-road sensor |
| Related codes | P0314, P0315, P0318, P0319 and ABS communication codes |
| Typical repair range | Approximately $100 to $1,500+, depending on the cause |
What Does P0317 Mean?
Modern engine computers commonly detect misfires by monitoring small changes in crankshaft speed.
Each combustion event accelerates the crankshaft slightly. If one cylinder produces less torque, the crankshaft slows during that cylinder’s expected contribution window.
Unfortunately, driving over a pothole can also disturb the drivetrain and create sudden crankshaft-speed changes.
Without information about road conditions, the PCM might interpret a pothole as a misfire. This could produce false misfire counts or unnecessary Check Engine Light warnings.
Rough-road detection helps the PCM distinguish between:
- Actual combustion failure
- Wheel-speed changes caused by an uneven road
- Drivetrain movement caused by bumps
- Traction-control intervention
- Wheel slip
- Rapid chassis acceleration
When the PCM expects rough-road information but cannot confirm that the required hardware or signal is present, it may store P0317.
The exact monitoring strategy and failure criteria vary by manufacturer.
What Is Rough-Road Detection?
Rough-road detection is a supporting system used by the PCM to validate misfire information.
The system may use data from:
- Individual wheel-speed sensors
- ABS or stability-control module
- Chassis acceleration sensor
- Dedicated rough-road sensor
- Vertical acceleration sensor
- Crankshaft position sensor
- Vehicle-speed sensor
- CAN communication network
A vehicle does not necessarily have a component labeled “rough road sensor.”
Many vehicles calculate rough-road conditions using existing ABS wheel-speed information. If the wheels suddenly accelerate and decelerate at different rates, the ABS module may determine that the vehicle is traveling over an uneven surface.
The ABS module can then send that information to the PCM through the vehicle communication network.
Other vehicles may use a dedicated acceleration or rough-road sensor.
This is why P0317 diagnosis must begin with the correct wiring diagram and factory service information. Searching the engine compartment for a box labeled “Pothole Detector 3000” will probably be unproductive.
Why Does the PCM Need Rough-Road Data?
The PCM uses crankshaft-speed variation to detect engine misfires.
An actual misfire can cause:
- Sudden crankshaft deceleration
- Uneven torque output
- Irregular engine speed
- Increased exhaust emissions
- Catalytic converter damage
An uneven road can cause some of the same crankshaft-speed disturbances without any combustion failure.
Rough-road information allows the PCM to:
- Suspend or modify misfire monitoring
- Prevent false P0300 codes
- Avoid assigning incorrect cylinder-specific codes
- Separate wheel disturbance from combustion failure
- Improve emissions-monitor accuracy
If rough-road data becomes unavailable, the PCM may not trust its misfire calculations under certain driving conditions.
P0317 therefore concerns the validation system used during misfire monitoring. It does not automatically mean the engine is physically misfiring.
P0317 Versus an Actual Engine Misfire
P0317 and a combustion-misfire code describe different problems.
| Code | Meaning |
| P0300 | Random or multiple-cylinder misfire detected |
| P0301–P0312 | A numbered cylinder is misfiring |
| P0314 | One cylinder is misfiring, but its number is not identified |
| P0317 | Expected rough-road hardware or data is unavailable |
P0317 may affect the PCM’s ability to validate a misfire, but it does not prove that a misfire exists.
If the engine:
- Idles smoothly
- Accelerates normally
- Has no increasing misfire counts
- Has no flashing Check Engine Light
- Has no fuel smell
- Has no uneven exhaust rhythm
then the primary problem may be the rough-road detection system rather than combustion.
If the engine runs poorly, diagnose both the P0317 fault and the actual misfire.
For broader combustion-failure information, visit our engine misfire symptoms, causes and diagnosis guide.
P0317 Versus P0315
P0317 and P0315 both affect misfire monitoring, but they identify different conditions.
| Code | Meaning |
| P0315 | Crankshaft position variation calibration has not been learned |
| P0317 | Rough-road hardware or data is not available |
P0315 concerns the PCM’s learned baseline for normal crankshaft variation.
P0317 concerns the external information used to determine whether road conditions are disturbing the crankshaft signal.
The two codes may appear together after:
- PCM replacement
- PCM programming
- ABS module replacement
- Engine replacement
- Incorrect module configuration
- Communication-network repair
- Loss of learned or configured data
Do not assume that performing a crankshaft relearn will correct P0317. Module communication and vehicle configuration must also be verified.
P0317 Versus P0318 and P0319
P0317, P0318 and P0319 belong to the rough-road detection group.
| Code | Meaning |
| P0317 | Rough Road Hardware Not Present |
| P0318 | Rough Road Sensor “A” Signal Circuit |
| P0319 | Rough Road Sensor “B” Signal Circuit |
P0317 generally indicates that the expected hardware, configuration or data source is unavailable.
P0318 and P0319 more directly identify problems involving specific rough-road sensor signal circuits.
The exact meaning of Sensor A and Sensor B depends on the manufacturer.
When P0317 appears with P0318 or P0319, use factory wiring diagrams to identify:
- Which sensor is assigned as A or B
- Which module supplies the signal
- Whether the circuit is direct or network-based
- Expected voltage, frequency or communication data
- Calibration or initialization requirements
Common Conditions Associated With P0317
A vehicle with P0317 may experience:
- Check Engine Light
- ABS warning light
- Traction-control warning
- Stability-control warning
- Disabled or limited misfire monitoring
- False or inconsistent misfire codes
- Failed emissions test
- No noticeable drivability problem
- Intermittent warning lights over rough roads
- Loss of wheel-speed data
- Communication codes
- Cruise-control problems on some applications
P0317 itself may not cause the engine to run poorly.
If the vehicle has rough idle, hesitation, severe shaking or a flashing Check Engine Light, additional engine faults are probably present.
How Serious Is P0317?
P0317 is generally moderate in severity.
The vehicle may continue driving normally because the code often affects monitoring rather than direct engine control.
However, P0317 should not be ignored because it may indicate:
- Loss of ABS wheel-speed information
- ABS module communication failure
- Disabled traction or stability control
- Inaccurate misfire detection
- Incorrect module programming
- Wiring or connector damage
- Missing or incompatible hardware
Stop Driving or Seek Immediate Service If:
- The ABS and brake warning lights appear together
- Braking behavior changes
- The vehicle loses stability-control operation in poor conditions
- The engine develops a flashing Check Engine Light
- Severe engine shaking occurs
- Multiple wheel-speed signals disappear
- Major communication faults affect several modules
P0317 alone does not prove that ABS operation is disabled. Check the ABS module for its own stored codes and warning status.
Most Common Causes of P0317
| Possible cause | Relative likelihood |
| Incorrect PCM or ABS module configuration | High after module replacement |
| Missing rough-road data from ABS module | High |
| Wheel-speed sensor or circuit fault | High on ABS-based systems |
| CAN communication problem | Medium to high |
| Disconnected or damaged dedicated sensor | Medium |
| Rough-road sensor wiring fault | Medium |
| ABS or Electronic Brake Control Module fault | Medium |
| Sensor initialization not completed | Application dependent |
| Incorrect replacement module | Application dependent |
| Low system voltage or poor ground | Medium |
| Crankshaft sensor signal fault | Lower |
| PCM failure | Rare |
The vehicle’s rough-road detection strategy must be identified before parts are tested or replaced.
How to Diagnose P0317
Step 1: Confirm the Code in the Correct Module
Connect a professional scan tool capable of communicating with:
- PCM or ECM
- ABS or Electronic Brake Control Module
- Stability-control module
- Body Control Module
- Instrument cluster
- Other related chassis modules
Record:
- Stored codes
- Pending codes
- Permanent codes
- Freeze-frame data
- Module communication status
- Manufacturer-specific codes
Do not clear the codes yet.
A basic code reader may retrieve P0317 from the PCM but miss the ABS code that explains why rough-road data disappeared.
Step 2: Check Every Module for Related Codes
Scan the entire vehicle network.
Look for:
- ABS wheel-speed sensor codes
- Lost-communication codes
- Module-configuration codes
- Low-voltage codes
- Sensor initialization codes
- Crankshaft position codes
- Misfire codes
- P0318 or P0319
- Stability-control faults
Code combinations help identify the correct diagnostic direction.
| Code combination | Likely direction |
| P0317 only after PCM replacement | Check programming and vehicle configuration |
| P0317 plus wheel-speed code | Diagnose that wheel-speed sensor and circuit |
| P0317 plus lost ABS communication | Inspect network, module power and grounds |
| P0317 plus P0318/P0319 | Diagnose the specified rough-road sensor circuit |
| P0317 plus P0315 | Verify configuration and crankshaft variation calibration |
| P0317 plus P0300 | Determine whether a real combustion misfire exists |
| P0317 plus low-voltage codes | Test battery, charging system, power and grounds |
Step 3: Review Recent Repair History
Determine whether P0317 appeared after:
- PCM replacement
- PCM programming
- ABS module replacement
- ABS module programming
- Wheel-speed sensor replacement
- Wheel bearing or hub replacement
- Suspension repair
- Brake repair
- Engine replacement
- Wiring repair
- Battery failure or jump-start event
A code that appears immediately after module replacement strongly suggests programming, configuration, incompatibility or initialization rather than simultaneous failure of every sensor connected to it.
Step 4: Identify the Rough-Road Detection Strategy
Use factory service information to determine how the vehicle detects rough roads.
Possible systems include:
ABS-Based Detection
The PCM receives rough-road information calculated from wheel-speed sensor data by the ABS module.
Inspect:
- Individual wheel-speed sensors
- Tone rings
- Wheel bearings
- ABS module
- CAN communication
Dedicated Rough-Road Sensor
A separate accelerometer or chassis sensor sends road-surface information directly or through another module.
Inspect:
- Sensor
- Sensor mounting
- Power and ground
- Signal circuit
- Calibration
Crankshaft-Based Strategy
Some systems may use crankshaft data with additional vehicle-speed or chassis information.
Inspect:
- Crankshaft sensor
- Reluctor wheel
- Vehicle-speed inputs
- Variation calibration
- Related communication messages
Do not replace an ABS wheel-speed sensor on a vehicle that uses a dedicated accelerometer—or replace an accelerometer on a vehicle that never had one. That is less diagnosis and more scavenger hunt.
Step 5: Inspect Battery Voltage and Grounds
Low voltage can disrupt communication between the PCM, ABS module and sensors.
Check:
- Battery state of charge
- Battery terminal condition
- Alternator output
- Engine grounds
- Chassis grounds
- ABS module grounds
- PCM grounds
- Voltage during cranking
Use manufacturer specifications.
Multiple low-voltage and communication codes should be addressed before condemning a control module.
Step 6: Verify Communication With the ABS Module
Attempt direct scan-tool communication with the ABS or Electronic Brake Control Module.
If communication fails, inspect:
- ABS fuses
- Module power supply
- Module grounds
- CAN high circuit
- CAN low circuit
- Connectors
- Water intrusion
- Module damage
Do not replace the ABS module until its power, ground and communication circuits have been tested under load.
A module without power is not necessarily defective. It may simply be experiencing the automotive equivalent of having its phone unplugged.
Step 7: Monitor Live Wheel-Speed Data
If the system uses ABS wheel-speed information, monitor all wheels while:
- Driving slowly
- Driving straight
- Turning
- Accelerating gently
- Decelerating
- Crossing a controlled uneven surface where safe
All wheel speeds should respond smoothly and remain reasonably consistent during straight-line travel.
Watch for:
- One wheel remaining at zero
- Sudden dropouts
- Implausible speed spikes
- One wheel reading differently
- Signal loss during turns
- Erratic data over bumps
A dropout can prevent the ABS module from calculating reliable rough-road information.
Step 8: Inspect Wheel-Speed Sensors
Inspect the affected sensor for:
- Physical damage
- Excessive air gap
- Metal debris
- Corrosion
- Loose mounting
- Damaged connector
- Chafed wiring
- Water intrusion
- Incorrect installation
Depending on sensor design, test:
- Supply voltage
- Ground
- Signal voltage
- Resistance
- Frequency
- Digital waveform
Hall-effect and magnetoresistive sensors cannot always be diagnosed using the same resistance tests applied to older passive sensors.
Use the correct service procedure.
Step 9: Inspect Tone Rings and Wheel Bearings
The wheel-speed sensor reads a toothed or magnetic encoder ring.
Inspect for:
- Cracked tone ring
- Missing teeth
- Rust buildup
- Debris
- Damaged magnetic encoder
- Incorrect wheel bearing
- Bearing installed backward
- Excessive wheel-bearing play
- Sensor contact with the encoder
Some replacement wheel bearings contain a magnetic encoder on only one side. Installing the bearing backward can create a perfectly new component that provides absolutely no useful wheel-speed signal. Progress, technically.
Step 10: Inspect a Dedicated Rough-Road Sensor
If the vehicle uses a dedicated accelerometer or rough-road sensor, inspect:
- Correct mounting location
- Correct orientation
- Loose fasteners
- Physical damage
- Connector engagement
- Water intrusion
- Corrosion
- Harness damage
- Power and ground
- Signal output
Sensor orientation matters. An accelerometer mounted incorrectly may report chassis movement in the wrong direction or outside the expected range.
Do not relocate the sensor or isolate it with non-factory rubber mounts unless the manufacturer specifies that arrangement.
Step 11: Test Sensor Wiring
Using the correct wiring diagram, inspect for:
- Open circuits
- Shorts to ground
- Shorts to voltage
- High resistance
- Connector corrosion
- Loose terminal tension
- Harness damage
- Incorrect previous repairs
Perform voltage-drop or signal testing with the circuit operating whenever possible.
A continuity test can miss a wire that fails under vibration or electrical load.
Step 12: Inspect CAN Communication
If rough-road information is transmitted through the controller network, inspect communication health.
Check for:
- U-codes
- Missing modules
- CAN high/low voltage
- Network resistance where appropriate
- Shorted communication circuits
- Intermittent connector problems
- Water-damaged modules
- Aftermarket equipment connected to the network
Oscilloscope testing may be required for intermittent network distortion.
Aftermarket alarms, remote-start systems, telematics devices and poorly installed stereo equipment can interfere with network wiring. Because apparently the CAN bus also enjoys being used as a convenient place to attach mystery wires.
Step 13: Verify Module Configuration
After PCM, ABS module or other controller replacement, confirm:
- Correct part number
- Correct vehicle identification number
- Correct tire-size configuration
- Correct drivetrain configuration
- Correct ABS and stability-control options
- Correct rough-road hardware setting
- Correct software calibration
- Required programming completed
An incorrectly configured PCM may expect a dedicated sensor that the vehicle does not use.
An incorrectly configured ABS module may fail to transmit the rough-road message expected by the PCM.
Configuration errors are especially likely when:
- A used module was installed
- A generic replacement module was used
- Programming was interrupted
- Vehicle option data was entered incorrectly
- Tire size or drivetrain settings are wrong
Step 14: Complete Required Initialization
Depending on the vehicle, repairs may require:
- Steering-angle sensor calibration
- Yaw-rate sensor calibration
- Accelerometer initialization
- ABS module setup
- Wheel-speed sensor relearn
- Tire-size programming
- PCM setup
- Crankshaft variation relearn
Follow the manufacturer’s procedure exactly.
Initialization should be performed only after wiring, sensors, modules and communication have been verified.
Step 15: Inspect the Crankshaft Signal if Required
Because rough-road information supports misfire monitoring, crankshaft signal problems may occasionally contribute to P0317.
Inspect:
- Crankshaft position sensor
- Sensor connector
- Power and ground
- Signal waveform
- Sensor air gap
- Reluctor wheel
- Crankshaft variation status
Related codes such as P0335 or P0315 provide stronger evidence that crankshaft monitoring requires attention.
Do not replace the crankshaft sensor solely because P0317 is present.
Step 16: Determine Whether a Real Misfire Exists
If P0317 appears with P0300 or another misfire code, determine whether the engine is actually misfiring.
Review:
- Individual-cylinder misfire counters
- Mode $06 data
- Engine idle quality
- Exhaust rhythm
- Fuel trims
- Ignition operation
- Injector operation
- Compression
If the engine runs normally and misfire counts only increase on rough surfaces, the missing rough-road data may be causing false detection.
If one cylinder consistently accumulates misfires on smooth roads, diagnose that cylinder normally.
Step 17: Clear P0317 and Verify the Repair
After repairing the confirmed problem:
- Clear PCM and ABS codes.
- Complete required module setup or calibration.
- Verify communication with all modules.
- Monitor wheel-speed or rough-road data.
- Confirm that ABS and stability warnings remain off.
- Drive on a smooth road.
- Cross a controlled uneven surface when safe.
- Monitor misfire data.
- Complete the required drive cycle.
- Rescan all modules.
The repair is confirmed when rough-road data remains available and P0317 does not return.
Common P0317 Repairs and Costs
| Repair | Approximate installed cost |
| Repair connector or minor wiring | $100–$500 |
| Replace wheel-speed sensor | $150–$500 |
| Replace wheel bearing or hub encoder | $300–$900 |
| Replace dedicated rough-road sensor | $200–$800 |
| Repair CAN communication wiring | $200–$1,500+ |
| Program or configure PCM | $150–$500 |
| Program or configure ABS module | $200–$700 |
| Replace ABS control module | $800–$2,500+ |
| Replace crankshaft position sensor | $150–$600 |
| Perform required calibration | $100–$400 |
Actual costs depend on the vehicle, system design, component location and labor rate.
P0317 may require no replacement parts if the problem is an incorrect module configuration or incomplete initialization.
Common P0317 Diagnostic Mistakes
Searching for a Dedicated Sensor That Does Not Exist
Many vehicles calculate rough-road conditions using ABS wheel-speed data instead of a separate sensor.
Replacing a Wheel-Speed Sensor Without Checking Live Data
Confirm which signal is missing or erratic before replacing anything.
Ignoring ABS Module Codes
A basic engine-code reader may retrieve P0317 while missing the chassis code that identifies the actual fault.
Replacing the Crankshaft Sensor Automatically
P0317 concerns rough-road hardware or data. A crankshaft sensor should only be replaced after signal testing supports that conclusion.
Ignoring Module Configuration
P0317 appearing immediately after PCM or ABS replacement frequently points toward programming or option configuration.
Replacing the ABS Module Without Testing Power and Ground
A module cannot communicate if its fuse, power supply, ground or network circuit has failed.
Treating P0317 as an Actual Misfire
P0317 affects misfire validation. It does not prove that combustion is failing.
Ignoring Tire or Wheel Configuration
Incorrect tire-size programming or major rolling-diameter differences can distort wheel-speed comparisons on some applications.
Clearing Codes Without Scanning Every Module
The powertrain code may be only the headline. The useful evidence may be stored in the ABS or stability-control module.
P0317 Frequently Asked Questions
What does P0317 mean?
P0317 means the PCM cannot confirm that the expected rough-road detection hardware or information is available.
What is rough-road hardware?
It may include ABS wheel-speed sensors, the ABS module, a dedicated accelerometer, a chassis sensor or another source of road-surface information.
Does every vehicle have a rough-road sensor?
No. Many vehicles calculate rough-road conditions using existing wheel-speed and ABS data.
Does P0317 mean the engine is misfiring?
No. P0317 concerns the system used to distinguish actual misfires from road-induced crankshaft variation.
Can an ABS sensor cause P0317?
Yes. On vehicles that use ABS wheel-speed data for rough-road detection, a missing or erratic wheel-speed signal may trigger P0317.
Can a bad wheel bearing cause P0317?
Yes. A damaged encoder ring, excessive bearing play or an incorrectly installed bearing can disrupt wheel-speed data.
Can P0317 turn on the ABS light?
It may appear with an ABS warning if the underlying problem affects the ABS system. P0317 alone does not prove ABS operation is disabled.
Can PCM programming cause P0317?
Yes. Incorrect or incomplete configuration may cause the PCM to expect hardware or messages that are not available.
Can an ABS module replacement cause P0317?
Yes. The replacement module may require programming, option configuration or sensor initialization.
Can a crankshaft position sensor cause P0317?
It is possible, but rough-road sensors, ABS data, communication and configuration should also be checked. P0335–P0339 provide stronger evidence of a crankshaft sensor problem.
Can I drive with P0317?
Usually for a short period if braking, ABS, stability control and engine operation remain normal. Drive cautiously and diagnose the problem promptly.
Will P0317 clear itself?
The code may become historical if communication returns, but it can remain stored until cleared or enough successful drive cycles occur.
Can different tire sizes cause P0317?
Large rolling-diameter differences or incorrect tire-size programming may affect wheel-speed calculations on some vehicles. Verify all tires and calibration settings.
Related OBD-II Codes
- P0314 — Single-Cylinder Misfire Not Identified
- P0315 — Crankshaft Position Variation Not Learned
- P0317 — Rough Road Hardware Not Present
- P0318 — Rough Road Sensor A Signal Circuit
- P0319 — Rough Road Sensor B Signal Circuit
- P0335 — Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit
- P0300 — Random or Multiple-Cylinder Misfire
- C0035–C0051 — Wheel-Speed Sensor Codes
- U-codes — Module Communication Faults
Explore the Pro Street OBD-II Code Libraries
Use the Pro Street cornerstone pages to find additional diagnostic trouble codes:
- All P OBD-II Codes Explained — Powertrain Codes
- All B OBD-II Codes Explained — Body and SRS Codes
- All C OBD-II Codes Explained — Chassis Codes
- OBD-II DTC Doctor
P0317 means the PCM cannot confirm that the required rough-road detection hardware or data is available.
Begin by scanning every module—not just the engine computer. Identify whether the vehicle uses ABS wheel-speed data, a dedicated accelerometer or another rough-road input. Then inspect the related sensors, wiring, communication network, module power supplies and vehicle configuration.
If the code appeared after PCM or ABS replacement, verify programming and initialization before purchasing parts.
The vehicle may not actually be missing hardware. The modules may simply have stopped speaking to one another, which makes them surprisingly similar to departments in a large corporation.
