What P0317 means
P means powertrain (engine and transmission). The 0 marks a generic code defined by SAE, so the same number means the same thing across makes. The third character, 3, places it in the ignition system or misfire subsystem; the last two digits identify the specific fault.
A rough road surface shakes the drivetrain enough to fool the misfire monitor. Some vehicles use a dedicated rough road sensor (an accelerometer) or wheel speed data to suspend misfire detection on bad roads. These codes cover that hardware.
What “Hardware Not Present” means here
The module is calibrated to expect rough road hardware but cannot detect it. Check whether the vehicle should have it; a module programmed for a different specification can set this.
What you may notice
Symptoms depend on the vehicle and on how the module responds to the fault. Any of these can accompany P0317:
- Usually none
- Misfire monitor may not complete
Where to start diagnosing P0317
- Check whether the vehicle should have rough road hardware fitted; a module calibrated for it on a vehicle without it can set this code.
- Inspect the sensor connector and wiring.
- Check related ABS wheel speed codes, as some systems borrow that data.
Clear the code only after recording freeze frame data: it shows the engine speed, load and temperature at the moment the fault set, which is often the best clue to reproducing it.
Live data to watch
These standard OBD2 values relate to P0317. Support varies by vehicle; a value your car does not report will simply be missing.
| Value | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Vehicle speed (PID 0x0D) | Context. |
| Engine RPM (PID 0x0C) | Context. |
Related codes
Codes from the same rough road detection family. If several are stored together, the shared part — wiring, a common reference voltage, or the component itself — is the place to start.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What does P0317 mean?
P0317 is the generic SAE J2012 code for "Rough Road Hardware Not Present". In plain terms, it means the engine computer's rough road detection monitor has reported "Rough Road Hardware Not Present".
Can I keep driving with P0317?
Normally drivable; the fault affects diagnostics rather than how the car runs.
What should I check first for P0317?
Check whether the vehicle should have rough road hardware fitted; a module calibrated for it on a vehicle without it can set this code.
Definition source: SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6 generic DTC definitions. This is the generic meaning that applies across makes; a manufacturer can define a code more narrowly or add its own sub-codes, so confirm against the service information for your vehicle before replacing parts. Written by the OBDAssistant engineering team — see our editorial policy.