Loss of power: Codes, Causes & Fixes
Noticeable loss of power usually has one of a few causes: the engine computer has entered limp mode, a turbocharged engine is underboosting (P0299), airflow is restricted by a dirty MAF sensor or clogged air filter, fuel pressure is low, or the exhaust is blocked by a failing catalytic converter or full diesel particulate filter. Read all stored codes and freeze-frame data first – they usually show which of these paths to follow.
214Codes
3.1Average severity
22%High or critical
9%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
P0171
Powertrain
The engine computer is adding the maximum extra fuel it's allowed on bank 1 and still sees…
Moderate
P0299
Powertrain
The turbo or supercharger isn't building the boost pressure the engine computer is asking for.
Moderate
P0300
Powertrain
The engine computer sees misfires that jump between cylinders or hit several cylinders at once.
High
All codes (214)
P2149
Powertrain
The shared supply to the second injector group dropped out, often an intermittent wiring fault…
High
P2177
Powertrain
Bank 1 goes lean once the engine is above idle, so the PCM keeps adding fuel at cruise…
Moderate
P2196
Powertrain
The front sensor on bank 1 keeps claiming rich, so the PCM strips out fuel the engine actually…
Low
P2198
Powertrain
Bank 2's front sensor keeps claiming rich, so the PCM leans out that side of the engine more…
Low
P219B
Powertrain
One cylinder on bank 2 runs off the mixture of the other cylinders on that side of the engine.
Moderate
P2200
Powertrain
The engine computer lost a usable signal from the NOx sensor ahead of the SCR catalyst on bank…
Moderate
P2201
Powertrain
The upstream NOx sensor still communicates, but its readings don't match what the ECM expects.
Moderate
P2226
Powertrain
The engine computer can't get a valid reading from its barometric (ambient air pressure) sensor.
Low
P2227
Powertrain
The baro sensor's reading doesn't agree with the other pressure sensors or with what the engine…
Low
P2228
Powertrain
The baro sensor signal is below its valid range, as if the car were far higher than any road…
Moderate
P2262
Powertrain
The engine computer commanded boost but saw almost none, pointing to a mechanical turbo…
Moderate
P2263
Powertrain
Boost isn't tracking its target closely enough: too low, too high or too slow to respond.
Moderate
P2293
Powertrain
The second fuel pressure control stage can't hold its target; on VW/Audi 2.0T often…
Moderate
P242F
Powertrain
The DPF is filling up with ash that regeneration can't burn off; it needs cleaning…
Moderate
P2440
Powertrain
The valve that should seal the air pump off from the bank 1 exhaust stays open, letting hot…
Moderate
P244B
Powertrain
The DPF is resisting exhaust flow far more than it should – usually a filter packed with soot…
Moderate
P2452
Powertrain
The ECU has lost a usable signal from the DPF pressure sensor – usually a wiring, connector…
Moderate
P2453
Powertrain
The DPF pressure reading doesn't make sense for the exhaust flow – most often a hose or tube…
Moderate
P2454
Powertrain
The DPF pressure sensor's signal voltage has dropped below the lowest value a working sensor…
Moderate
P2455
Powertrain
The DPF pressure signal is stuck above its valid range – a wiring fault, or a filter that's…
Moderate
P2457
Powertrain
The EGR cooler isn't cooling the recirculated exhaust enough – it's clogged, bypassed or low…
Moderate
P2459
Powertrain
The DPF is regenerating far more often than it should for the miles driven.
Moderate
P2463
Powertrain
The DPF is loaded with more soot than the ECU allows; it needs a regen or cleaning before it…
High
P246C
Powertrain
The DPF is so restricted that the ECM has cut engine power to protect the turbo, EGR system…
High
P2646
Powertrain
The engine asked VTEC to switch to the high-lift cam, but the oil pressure switch never saw…
Low
P2BAC
Powertrain
EGR has been shut off because of a fault, so NOx is above the limit; fix the EGR code stored…
Moderate
P3000
Toyota · Powertrain
Toyota's hybrid computer flags a fault in the high-voltage battery system and limits hybrid…
High
P3190
Toyota · Powertrain
The hybrid computer asked the gas engine for power and got less than expected.
Moderate
U0101
Network
The engine computer and other modules stopped hearing from the transmission control module.
High
U0105
Network
The PCM lost contact with the separate module that fires the injectors, common on diesel…
High