Can a car run with bad mass air flow sensor?

Yes, a car can run with a bad mass air flow (MAF) sensor, but it will likely run poorly. The car's computer (ECU) relies on the MAF sensor to determine how much air is entering the engine so it can adjust fuel delivery accordingly. A faulty MAF sensor can lead to:

* Poor fuel economy: The engine might be running rich (too much fuel) or lean (too little fuel), significantly impacting gas mileage.

* Hesitation or rough running: The engine may hesitate or stumble during acceleration.

* Lack of power: The engine may produce less power than normal.

* Check engine light: A malfunctioning MAF sensor will almost certainly trigger the check engine light, along with a diagnostic trouble code (DTC).

* Stalling: In severe cases, the engine may stall.

The car might even start and seem to run, but the performance will be noticeably degraded. It's crucial to get a bad MAF sensor replaced as soon as possible to avoid potential engine damage from running too rich or too lean.