Fault Code Lookup › Powertrain codes › P0401

P0401 Powertrain · generic OBD-II

Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Insufficient Detected

P0401 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 15 complaints filed with NHTSA. Updated November 9, 2026.

  • 15owner reports
  • 8car models
  • 0mention a crash
  • 0mention a fire
  • 2013–2019model years

Which cars get code P0401?

Every model whose owners mentioned P0401 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 P0401 show up?

By brand

  • Chevrolet11
  • Ram2
  • Ford1
  • Dodge1

Component the owner filed it under

  1. Engine9 (60%)
  2. Fuel/Propulsion System8 (53.3%)
  3. Power Train3 (20%)
  4. Engine And Engine Cooling1 (6.7%)
  5. Electrical System1 (6.7%)

Is there a recall for P0401?

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 And Engine Cooling Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing… NHTSA campaign 23V411000 · June 8, 2023 · Affected cars

2014 Ram 1500. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine: Diesel Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 and 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing… NHTSA campaign 20V475000 · August 13, 2020 · Affected cars

2014 Ram 1500. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Engine And Engine Cooling: Exhaust System: Emission Control: Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 1500 Classic Pickup trucks equipped with 3.0L Eco Diesel engines. The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may crack and allow pre-heated vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may combust inside the intake… NHTSA campaign 19V757000 · October 24, 2019 · Affected cars

2014 Ram 1500. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

What happened when owners saw P0401?

10 of the 15 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.

P0401, P0B9A Loss propulsion power on highway Shift to Park issues And car uses gas before electricity is empty
2016 Chevrolet VoltFuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11695498 · Oct 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard, but the vehicle hesitated to accelerate before lurching forward. Additionally, the vehicle lost motive power while driving 60-70 MPH and decelerated to 10 MPH. The engine revved while stopped at a red light, and the RPM was at HIGH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer on six occasions for the recurring failure. The contact stated that DTC: P0401 and P0521 were retrieved and cleared after securing the air box cover after the first failure. The second…
2019 Chevrolet EquinoxEngine And Engine Cooling, Power TrainNHTSA complaint 11766711 · Sep 24, 2026
2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid LT 1.8L - current mileage 147,059 miles The factory exhaust heat exchanger failed internally, leaking engine coolant into the exhaust system. This caused check engine codes P0401 / P26BE, loss of cabin heat, coolant loss, and exhaust fumes entering cabin. GM has released 4 revisions of this part and all fail the same way, indicating known defective design. The part is currently on indefinite national backorder with no ETA from GM (Order #343585 from GMPartsNow on 08/22/2025 held without ship date). Dealers quote $1,587 and cannot obtain part either. This is a safety and emissions defect: coolant loss risks engine overheating, exhaust leak risks carbon monoxide in…
2016 Chevrolet MalibuUnknown Or Other, EngineNHTSA complaint 11761612 · Sep 2, 2026
Customer Satisfaction Notification T23 (TSB 18-031-17). Under this T23 a PCM software flash and a replacement EGR valve assembly were required. My dealer only did the software flash and my car now threw out an active PO401 (EGR Flow Insufficient Detected"). Which is a direct result of the failed software update and the physical damage caused by this known issue. Dealer is refusing the repair along with the manufacturer.
2017 Dodge DurangoFuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11761516 · Sep 2, 2026
EGR AND EGR COOLER FAILED AT 21,000 MILES. DEALER FIXED UNDER WARRANTY 3/22/16. SAME PARTS HAVE FAILED AGAIN AT 46,000 MILES AND IS OUT OF WARRANTY. SEARCHING THE WEB SHOWS THIS IS A COMMON REPEAT FAILURE FOR THE 6.7 DIESEL AND COSTS $2,000 FOR REPAIR. ENGINE TROUBLE CODE IS P0401. THE PARTS OR DESIGN MUST BE DEFECTIVE AS THEY ONLY LAST FOR ABOUT 20,000 MILES.
2013 Ford F-250EngineNHTSA complaint 11231590 · Jul 13, 2019
2014 RAM ECO DIESEL, FAILS TO PROPERLY ACCELERATE, SOMETIME ACTING AS IF IT IS STUCK IN HIGH GEAR. TOTAL LACK OF THROTTLE RESPONSE. PROBLEM IS RANDOM AND BEGAN AFTER P0401, P1296 & 1297 CEL CODES WERE SET. CREATES SUBSTANTIAL RISK WHEN CROSSING INTERSECTIONS.
2014 Ram 1500EngineNHTSA complaint 10871890 · Jun 1, 2016
Several incidents when accelerating, the engine goes into a limp mode, followed by indicator lights coming on P0401, P0299, P226C. The vehicle will not accelerate and travels at a max speed of about 5mph. This has happened in traffic every time and has put me and my family, as well as other vehicles, at extreme risk of being in an accident, not being able to accelerate out of the way of oncoming traffic. After several cycles of turning the vehicle off and on, it returns to normal function. The vehicle has been inspected at a Dodge Service station. They determined that the Turbo diesel system is malfunctioning and needs repair. My vehicle is available for inspection upon request.
2015 Ram ProMasterPower Train, Engine, Fuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11442397 · Dec 2, 2021
My EGR system caused a check engine light. P0401 This is an extremely well documented issue on Gen2 Volts, especially 2017 models. Simply searching "EGR" on the Volt subreddit or forums returns hundreds of related threads. This issue can lead to a clogged EGR valve, causing further damage. A temporary resolution is unplugging the EGR valve, which i have not yet done. But this leaves the CEL illuminated, and without daily scanner, I wouls not know if other issues arise, causing a significant safety hazard.
2017 Chevrolet VoltUnknown Or Other, Engine, Fuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11692401 · Oct 9, 2025
P0401 code caused the car to say “propulsion power is reduced”. I was on the highway and had to pull off to find a safe place.
2017 Chevrolet VoltFuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11656896 · Apr 25, 2025
Received the vehicle on 8/6/24 with 96,500 miles on it. On 8/15/25 I received a check engine light with error code P0401 indicating an issue with the EGR Valve. I took the vehicle to my dealership which confirmed the issue and was informed that it was a common failure with this type of vehicle. I was placed on a waitlist for the part which as of today, 9/9/24, still is not available. A quick Google search shows that that this error is extremely common for these vehicles.
2017 Chevrolet VoltEngineNHTSA complaint 11613414 · Sep 9, 2024

P0401: questions drivers ask

What does code P0401 mean?

P0401 is a generic OBD-II powertrain code. Its standard definition is "Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Insufficient Detected". 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 8 car models.

Which cars get code P0401 most often?

In NHTSA owner complaints, P0401 is mentioned most for the Chevrolet Volt (9), Chevrolet Equinox (1), Chevrolet Malibu (1), across 8 models and model years 2013 to 2019. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.

Is there a recall for code P0401?

No NHTSA recall text names P0401 directly. 3 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 P0401?

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 P0401. 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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