OBD-II code · Powertrain (generic, extended)

P20BD Reductant Heater B Control Circuit/Open

Reductant heater B (next supply-line segment) control circuit open — that line segment will not be kept above freezing.

Is it safe to drive with P20BD?

Usually safe to drive in the short term. Get it diagnosed when convenient, sooner if the car drives differently.

Common causes

  • Most likelyHeater winding open
  • Less likelyPin pushed back out of connector body
  • Less likelyCracked solder joint inside the module or sensor

Symptoms

  • Check engine light or NOx warning on
  • AdBlue/DEF level or quality warning
  • Possible no-start countdown after ignore period
  • Failed emissions inspection (NOx)

Repair at a glance

Difficulty
Medium
DIY friendly
Best left to a mechanic
Typical labour
0.7–3 h
Emissions test
Likely to fail
Parts involved
Reductant Line Heater B

Code data: OBDex open dataset (CC0). Labour times are typical ranges, not a quote.