Powertrain Codes (P-Codes): Full List
Powertrain codes start with P and cover the engine, fuel and ignition systems, emission controls and the transmission. They are the codes that most often turn on the check engine light and the ones most relevant to a smog check or emissions test. The third character narrows it down: 1–2 fuel and air metering, 3 ignition and misfire, 4 emission controls, 5 speed and idle, 6 computer and outputs, 7–9 transmission, A hybrid.
539Codes
2.7Average severity
12%High or critical
20%DIY-friendly
Severity distribution
Most viewed
P0174
Powertrain
The cylinder bank without cylinder 1 is running lean even with the maximum fuel correction…
Moderate
P0420
Powertrain
The bank 1 catalytic converter no longer stores enough oxygen to clean the exhaust properly.
Low
P0101
Powertrain
The MAF sensor's airflow reading doesn't match what the engine computer expects…
Low
P0113
Powertrain
The intake air temperature signal is stuck at maximum voltage, which usually means an open…
Low
P0135
Powertrain
The heater inside the upstream oxygen sensor on bank 1 isn't working or its circuit is faulty.
Low
P0171
Powertrain
The engine computer is adding the maximum extra fuel it's allowed on bank 1 and still sees…
Moderate
All codes (539)
P0409
Powertrain
The ECM lost a usable signal from the EGR position or pressure sensor – often an open…
Low
P0410
Powertrain
The cold-start air pump system that helps heat the catalytic converter didn't pass its…
Low
P0411
Powertrain
The air pump runs at cold start, but the right amount of air isn't reaching the exhaust.
Low
P0412
Powertrain
The ECU found an open or short in the circuit of the valve that routes air from the pump into…
Low
P0418
Powertrain
The ECU sees a fault in the relay circuit that switches the secondary air pump on and off.
Low
P0420
Powertrain
The bank 1 catalytic converter no longer stores enough oxygen to clean the exhaust properly.
Low
P0421
Powertrain
The close-coupled warm-up catalyst on bank 1, right behind the exhaust manifold, isn't working…
Low
P0422
Powertrain
The main underfloor catalytic converter on bank 1 no longer stores enough oxygen to pass…
Low
P0430
Powertrain
The bank 2 converter on a V6, V8 or split-exhaust engine isn't cleaning the exhaust well enough.
Low
P0431
Powertrain
On a V6, V8 or flat engine, the warm-up converter on the side without cylinder #1 is no longer…
Low
P0440
Powertrain
Catch-all EVAP code: the system failed its self-check. Start with the gas cap, then check hoses…
Minor
P0441
Powertrain
The ECU opened the purge valve but saw the wrong flow: too little, too much, or at the wrong…
Low
P0442
Powertrain
The EVAP system leaks through an opening of about 0.040 inch — a cracked hose, loose joint…
Minor
P0443
Powertrain
The ECU detected an electrical fault in the purge solenoid circuit: open, shorted or a bad…
Low
P0444
Powertrain
The purge valve circuit is broken somewhere: unplugged connector, open coil, broken wire or no…
Minor
P0446
Powertrain
The canister vent valve isn't doing what the ECU commands — electrically or because the vent…
Minor
P0447
Powertrain
The canister vent solenoid circuit is open, so the ECU can't close the vent to run its leak…
Minor
P0448
Powertrain
The canister vent solenoid circuit has a short, which can hold the vent shut and make refueling…
Low
P0449
Powertrain
Electrical fault on the canister vent solenoid circuit, a staple on GM trucks with the solenoid…
Low
P0450
Powertrain
The fuel tank (EVAP) pressure sensor failed a self-check, so the ECU can't trust its leak tests.
Minor
P0451
Powertrain
The tank pressure reading is electrically fine but doesn't make sense: offset, stuck, noisy…
Minor
P0452
Powertrain
The tank pressure sensor signal is stuck near 0 volts, lower than the sensor can physically…
Minor
P0453
Powertrain
Tank pressure signal pinned near the top of its range: lost ground, short to voltage or real…
Minor
P0455
Powertrain
The fuel vapor system can't hold vacuum at all — check the gas cap first, then hoses and valves.
Low
P0456
Powertrain
The EVAP system has a tiny leak, about 0.020 inch — the hardest EVAP leak to find, and often…
Minor
P0457
Powertrain
The EVAP leak test found the system wide open — almost always a loose, missing or worn gas cap.
Minor
P0458
Powertrain
The purge valve control line reads too low: lost power feed, open coil or a wire shorted…
Low
P0459
Powertrain
The purge valve control line stays high when the ECU grounds it: a short to power or a shorted…
Low
P0460
Powertrain
The engine computer gets no usable fuel level signal – often a tank-top connector or the sender…
Low
P0461
Powertrain
The fuel level reading doesn't change the way fuel use says it should – usually a worn or stuck…
Low