Fault Code Lookup › Powertrain codes › P0234

P0234 Powertrain · generic OBD-II

Turbo/Super Charger Overboost Condition

P0234 is a standard code covering engine, transmission, fuel and emissions. It names the system that logged the fault, not the part that failed. Below: which cars owners reported it on, what happened, and recalls on those cars, from 14 complaints filed with NHTSA. Updated November 9, 2026.

Owners also write it as P023400 (the last two characters are the sub-code).

  • 14owner reports
  • 6car models
  • 1mention a crash
  • 0mention a fire
  • 2013–2022model years

Which cars get code P0234?

Every model whose owners mentioned P0234 in a complaint, most reports first. Each year opens that car's full problem report. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.

Where does P0234 show up?

By brand

  • Ford10
  • Chevrolet3
  • Audi1

Component the owner filed it under

  1. Engine11 (78.6%)
  2. Power Train5 (35.7%)
  3. Fuel/Propulsion System4 (28.6%)
  4. Electrical System3 (21.4%)
  5. Vehicle Speed Control2 (14.3%)
  6. Engine And Engine Cooling1 (7.1%)

Is there a recall for P0234?

The others concern the component owners file this code under (Engine) on the same cars; they may or may not relate to the code. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Engine Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape, 2021-2023 Corsair, and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines that were repaired incorrectly under recall 23V380. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine… NHTSA campaign 25V345000 · May 23, 2025 · Affected cars

2020 Ford Escape. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Engine Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape, 2022-2023 Maverick, and 2021-2023 Corsair vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources… NHTSA campaign 23V380000 · May 27, 2023 · Affected cars

2020 Ford Escape. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Engine And Engine Cooling Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair, and 2022 Maverick vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources… NHTSA campaign 22V484000 · July 7, 2022 · Affected cars

2020 Ford Escape. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine: Oil/Lubrication Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. The engine oil separator housing may crack and develop an oil leak. NHTSA campaign 22V191000 · March 25, 2022 · Affected cars

2020 Ford Escape. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Escape, 2014-2015 Fiesta ST, 2013-2014 Fusion and 2013-2015 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 1.6L GTDI engines. If the vehicle is started and driven with an insufficient level of coolant within the engine cooling system, the engine cylinder… NHTSA campaign 17V209000 · March 27, 2017 · Affected cars

2014 Ford Escape. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Engine Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, through June 2, 2013 and equipped with 1.6L engines. The affected vehicles may experience localized overheating of the engine cylinder head which may cause cracks that could allow oil to… NHTSA campaign 13V583000 · November 25, 2013 · Affected cars

2013 Ford Escape. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Engine And Engine Cooling This is an update to a recently announced recall. Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2011, through November 26, 2012, equipped with 1.6L engines, as well as certain model year 2013 Fusion vehicles manufactured from February 3, 2012, through… NHTSA campaign 12V551000 · December 3, 2012 · Affected cars

2013 Ford Escape. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Engine And Engine Cooling Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2011, through August 31, 2012, equipped with 1.6L engines. The cylinder head cup plug (freeze plug) may become dislodged resulting in significant loss of engine coolant. NHTSA campaign 12V431000 · September 4, 2012 · Affected cars

2013 Ford Escape. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

What happened when owners saw P0234?

10 of the 14 reports, spread across the models above, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.

…The vehicle has also triggered diagnostic codes P0420 (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold) and P0234 (Turbocharger Overboost Condition), both of which are consistent with the mechanical failures observed. Additionally, Manufacturer Recall 25S76 was acknowledged, but when asked whether the fuel injectors had been inspected, the technician stated they would only be replaced if a fuel leak or smell was present. This reactive approach contradicts the intent of the recall.
2020 Ford EscapePower Train, Engine, Fuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11688277 · Sep 19, 2025
CHECKED AND CONFIRMED CUSTOMER COMPLAINT OF ENGINE LIGHT ON CHECKED AND FOUND FAULTS STORED FOR P334A00: Charge air pressure actuator Electrical malfunction active/static P023400: Turbo/Super Charger Overboost Condition active/static INSPECTED TURBO CHARGE SYSTEM AND FOUND THAT WASTE GATE ACTUATOR HAD FAILED AND CREATING AND OVER BOOST CONDITION WASTAGE ACTUATOR IS NOT AVAILABLE AS A SEPARATE PART AND NOT SERVICEABLE REMOVED AND REPLACED ENTIRE TURBO CHARGER UNIT AND INSTALLED WITH NEW GASKETS AND SEALS FILLED AND BLEED COOLANT SYSTEM AND CLEARED FAULTS SET BASIC SETTINGS AND TEST DROVE ALL OK.
2019 Audi Q5Vehicle Speed ControlNHTSA complaint 11591852 · May 31, 2024
It was a dark cold (minus 18) morning driving to work. All of the sudden a warning came on. The engine power is reduced mode came on and I went from highway speed to 30 mph instantly. I barely got home. I was terrified and the car would hardly go. Very dangerous. After much research because no dealer could get us in ( three week wait) we figured out what was causing it. Code P0234 turbocharge overboost. The dealer said I was safe to drive it. Still reduced power. After one week it warmed up to 17 degrees and the check engine light came off. I still have reduced engine power. New turbocharge feature for the 1.5 lt equinox. This should have been tested in cold climates. We regularly have 20…
2021 Chevrolet EquinoxPower TrainNHTSA complaint 11442734 · Dec 5, 2021
…The diagnostic test retrieved DTC: P0234 (Turbocharger/Supercharger "A" Over Boost Condition (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,157.
2022 Chevrolet MalibuEngine And Engine CoolingNHTSA complaint 11725932 · Mar 20, 2026
OWNER WENT TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE AT SPEED AND USED THE CARS "SPORT MODE". WHEN OWNER ENABLED SPORT MODE CAR SPUTTERED AND LOST MAJORITY OF POWER AND DISPLAYED A "SEE MANUAL" LIGHT. OWNER DROVE CAR TO JORDAN FORD OF SAN ANTONIO WHERE THE PRESENTED HIM WITH CODE P0234 FOR TURBOCHARGER OVERBOOSTING. DEALERSHIP RESET CARS COMPUTER AND DID NOTHING ELSE.
2017 Ford FusionEngineNHTSA complaint 11062911 · Jan 15, 2018
The transmission will sometimes fail to engage immediately after putting the vehicle in drive or reverse. If the driver steps on the gas pedal, the transmission jerks violently to engage. Also while driving, the transmission will have a slight slipping before allowing acceleration. No OBD codes appear and no dashboard warning messages appear. In addition to the transmission problem, I obtained a P0234 and P0299 OBD code. This code is for the turbocharger overboost solenoid, which I had replaced, but the code has returned.
2013 Ford EscapePower Train, Electrical System, EngineNHTSA complaint 11561976 · Dec 27, 2023
The Turbocharger Wastegate Regulating Valve Solenoid has been intermittently forcing a OBD2 code P0234. The solenoid location has not been determined and why the code goes away and then comes back later after driving the vehicle after clearing the code is not determined either. Ford charges more for this part than any other parts houses. The dealer labor is also costing just as much as the part ($200). This is a problem that is currently happening to quite a few Escape owners.
2013 Ford EscapeEngine, Fuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11552436 · Oct 28, 2023
Driving on the highway I lost braking power the brake vacuum pump ceased up and broke the bolt in the cam shaft that had to be drilled out and replaced then that caused more damage to the cam and bottom end of the motor for the motor to throw the following codes: p0365 p0369 p0012 p0299 b1215 p0234 U3008 U3003 U0300 p1594 U0140 U0154 U2300 U0422 B1B36 With all these codes I did the following and am now without a vehicle thanks to FORD. This vehicle only has 58000 Miles is single owner and was well maintained till this incident now I am told the motor has to be rebuilt as the cam and bottom end are the issues with this vehicle and this has happened to a lot of people and could have cause a…
2014 Ford EscapePower Train, Vehicle Speed Control, EngineNHTSA complaint 11427314 · Jul 31, 2021
I HAVE HAD MY ESCAPE FOR ABOUT 1YR. AND FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS I HAVE BEEN GETTING A CODE P0234 WHICH WAS READ AT A LOCAL AUTO ZONE WHICH READS WASTEGATE SOLENOID THIS IS HAPPENING TO ME AND MANY MANY OTHER PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD THE SOLENOID ITSELF KEEPS GOING BAD AND CAUSING ISSUES SUCH AS ACCELERATION PROBLEMS, LOSING POWER AND DYING DOWN WHILE DRIVING EVEN ON AN INTERSTATE AND HIGHWAYS AND SOMETIMES IT'LL DO IT 2 OR 3 TIMES IN A ROW BEFORE FINALLY RUNNING AND GETTING ME WHERE I NEED TO GO SUCH AS WORK OR MY CHILD'S SCHOOL OR DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS OR TO THE STORE. THIS ISSUE SHOULD'VE BEEN RESOLVED BY FORD MAKING IT SO THE WASTEGATE CAN KEEP UP WITH THE TURBOCHARGE IN THE FORD ESCAPE 1.6L…
2013 Ford EscapePower Train, EngineNHTSA complaint 11366961 · Oct 29, 2020
ENGINE KEEPS STALLING AFTER DRIVING FOR AWHILE TOOK IT TO FORD GARAGE A FEW MONTHS AGO THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND BASED ON RESULTS OF NEW DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE BY A FRIEND AND NOT FORD GARAGE 2103 FORD ESCAPE P0234 I MAY EVENTUALLY BE REPLACING ANOTHER. THIS IS VERY ANNOYING BECAUSE THE FORD GARAGE CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM.
2013 Ford EscapeEngineNHTSA complaint 11315419 · Mar 1, 2020

P0234: questions drivers ask

What does code P0234 mean?

P0234 is a generic OBD-II powertrain code. Its standard definition is "Turbo/Super Charger Overboost Condition". The code tells you which system set the fault, not which part failed; the owner reports on this page show what it meant in practice for 6 car models.

Which cars get code P0234 most often?

In NHTSA owner complaints, P0234 is mentioned most for the Ford Escape (9), Audi Q5 (1), Chevrolet Cruze (1), across 6 models and model years 2013 to 2022. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.

Is there a recall for code P0234?

No NHTSA recall text names P0234 directly. 8 recalls on the cars that report this code concern the same component owners name most (Engine); they may or may not relate to the code. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What should I do if my car shows P0234?

Write down when the code appeared and what the car did (warning lights, loss of power, noises, speed, weather). Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer or independent workshop to read the stored freeze-frame data before anyone clears the code, and keep the repair order. If the car loses power in traffic, stop driving it. CarHooq does not diagnose: these are owner reports and official recall notices, not repair advice.

How this page was made

CarHooq read the text of every owner complaint filed with NHTSA for 19 US and European brands (model years 2012 onwards) and picked out the diagnostic trouble codes owners wrote down. This page lists every mention of P0234 (including sub-code forms such as P023400). The definition is the generic SAE J2012 wording; a carmaker may use the code slightly differently. Nothing here is a diagnosis. More answers: the fault code FAQ. Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain), retrieved November 9, 2026. How CarHooq reports are made.

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