Fault Code Lookup › Powertrain codes › P0597
P0597 Powertrain · generic OBD-II
Thermostat Heater Control Circuit/Open
P0597 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 9 complaints filed with NHTSA. Updated November 3, 2026.
Owners also write it as P059700 (the last two characters are the sub-code).
- 9owner reports
- 6car models
- 0mention a crash
- 0mention a fire
- 2012–2018model years
Which cars get code P0597?
Every model whose owners mentioned P0597 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 P0597 show up?
By brand
- Chevrolet6
- BMW2
- Volvo1
Component the owner filed it under
Is there a recall for P0597?
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: Cooling System: Pump BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i…
2014 BMW 5 Series. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.
Engine And Engine Cooling: Exhaust System: Emission Control: Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 BMW 328d and 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon and 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d and 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV and 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas…
2014 BMW 5 Series. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.
Engine And Engine Cooling GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH MAY 31, 2012. SPILLED OR DRIPPING OIL (SUCH AS AFTER AN OIL CHANGE) MAY COLLECT IN THE ENGINE SHIELD (BELLYPAN) NEAR HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST SYSTEM SURFACES. AS A…
2012 Chevrolet Cruze. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.
What happened when owners saw P0597?
9 of the 9 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.
I was driving on an interstate in Seattle, and the car completely died. A check engine light went on. I had to roll into the shoulder and call for a tow to the dealership's service department. Here is what they found: ----60GCZ ENGINE REPAIR DIAG/ customer reports the ses lamp is on with reduced propulsion message displayed. Check and advise. 1. Tested vehicle and verified reduced propulsion power message and SES light. Scanned vehicle for codes and found multiple P0489, P0030, P0031, P0132, P0135, P0137, P0443, P0458, P0597, P0598, P06DA, P06DB, and P103C. Traced back to no power on circuit 5293. Traced back to blown 15-amp fuse 3 of under hood fuse block. Found bulletin #24-NA-080 stating…
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that upon scanning the vehicle with a scanner, the contact retrieved DTC: P0597. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000. VIN tool confirms parts not…
The engine coolant thermostat limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship. The vehicle currently has 60,128 miles. The vehicle's "service engine soon", warning light began appearing intermittently and now it is constantly on. The car has a stored code (P0597) Thermostat Heater Control Circuit/Open.This vehicle has a current technical service bulletin for a defective thermostat for this model year; however, the VIN number is not included. This should be investigated further as this Technical service bulletin(SI B01 01 16) suggests that PRODUCTION date is NOT the sole determinate, but rather, the entire model year is just as imperative!! The local BMW dealership is refusing to…
DRIVING THE RADIO CUTS IN AND OUT MEANWHILE SERVICE STABILITRAC WARNING COMES ON. DOES THIS AROUND 6-12 TIMES IN A 30 MINUTE DRIVE TO AND FROM WORK. ON A FEW INSTANCES THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING. THIS OCCURES ON A DAILY BASIS. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AND AT A STAND STILL. ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON NUMEROUS TIMES. IT IS A P0597 CODE STATING TEMP SENSOR IS INOPERABLE. NON OF THESE ISSUES SHOULD BE GOING ON IN A 2012 WITH LESS THAN 45,000 MILES ON IT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SONIC. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SARRA CHEVROLET (1170 CENTERPOINT PARKWAY, BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA 35215, (205) 853-2906) WHERE THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED AT APPROXIMATELY 24,000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSIS REVEALED DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE: P0597 (THERMOSTAT HEATER FAULT, REPLACE THERMOSTAT HOUSING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,397.
We are a repair facility and the vehicle arrived for a concern with a weak battery and a battery warning light. The battery was testing bad and was replaced but the other issues persisted. The vehicle was scanned for codes and the codes present in the computer were B139F11, P26DC00 & P059700. After researching these codes we discovered a technical service bulletin related to the same issue and codes (Ref. No: TJ 30268.6.0). The bulletin states "If any of above DTC´s are set in the ECM or CEM for the pre-heated thermostat in the cooling system, and/or if the customer complains of a charging system warning message in the Driver’s Information Module (DIM), follow advice under SERVICE". The…
I was driving my car from Houston to Dallas when I got the "reduced propulsion" message and a check engine light. When I first saw the reduced propulsion issue I thought it might be related to the BECM issue again since I had already experienced that problem before. In the last few minutes of my trip the AC started to get hot and when I checked the coolant temperature I noticed it was around 240 - 255 F. I hadn't noticed it since there was no warning light for high temperature which I am used to with other cars. I'm not sure of the full extent of the issues yet, but I know for certain that the EGR valve has failed completely at about 71,500 miles. This is with very few miles on the actual…
This is a safety issue for Chevy Volt. After seven years of good operation, our 2017 Chevrolet Volt stopped running in traffic while we were driving on [XXX]. The Check Engine Light was on, and "Reduced Propulsion" Message on dashboard panel. We brought it to the dealer from whom we purchased the vehicle. Tech Report paraphrased, Customer states CK Engine Light is on and "Reduced Propulsion" Message on dash Fault Codes: P0030, P0031, P0054, P0135, P0403, P0405, P0443, P0458, P0489, P0597, P0598, P06DA, P06DB Found fuse [F03] blown for EGR valve Likely EGR Valve sticking and causing fuse to blow. The technician stated the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Valve is defective, and needs to be…
I have a 2016 volt bought from NYC and I am the first owner currently residing in TX. My volt currently has mileage of 30,020 but this propulsion power will be reduce error has been shown since last 100 miles or so, my commune is usually under 5 miles a day so I rarely use gas however recently due to work I have to commune pretty far for a week and relied more on gas and this error popup during on of the commune. (It slowed my car down significantly while on highway and eventually stop with message on the console says engine offline) With the following error codes found: P0031 P0054 P0030 P0135 P0403 P0405 P0443 P0458 P0489 P0597 P0598 P06DA P06DB P0AC4 P0030 This car barely has much gas…
P0597: questions drivers ask
What does code P0597 mean?
P0597 is a generic OBD-II powertrain code. Its standard definition is "Thermostat Heater Control Circuit/Open". 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 P0597 most often?
In NHTSA owner complaints, P0597 is mentioned most for the Chevrolet Volt (4), BMW 5 Series (1), BMW X1 (1), across 6 models and model years 2012 to 2018. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.
Is there a recall for code P0597?
No NHTSA recall text names P0597 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 P0597?
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 P0597 (including sub-code forms such as P059700). The definition is the generic SAE J2012 wording; a carmaker may use the code slightly differently. Nothing here is a diagnosis. Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain), retrieved November 3, 2026. How CarHooq reports are made.
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