Fault Code Lookup › Powertrain codes › P0740

P0740 Powertrain · generic OBD-II

Torque Converter Clutch Circuit/Open

P0740 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 8 complaints filed with NHTSA. Updated November 9, 2026.

Owners also write it as P074000 (the last two characters are the sub-code).

  • 8owner reports
  • 5car models
  • 0mention a crash
  • 0mention a fire
  • 2013–2021model years

Which cars get code P0740?

Every model whose owners mentioned P0740 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 P0740 show up?

By brand

  • Dodge4
  • Chrysler2
  • Mercedes-Benz1
  • Ram1

Component the owner filed it under

  1. Power Train6 (75%)
  2. Engine3 (37.5%)
  3. Electronic Stability Control (ESC)1 (12.5%)

Is there a recall for P0740?

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

Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Lever And Linkage: Column Shift Prime-Time Specialty Vehicles (Prime-Time) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Paratransit vehicles equipped with 3.6L engines. The transmission shifter cable may separate and disconnect from the transmission, causing the vehicle to not perform shifts intended by the driver and the gear shift lever… NHTSA campaign 20V582000 · October 15, 2020 · Affected cars

2018 Ram ProMaster. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Lever And Linkage: Column Shift Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram ProMaster vehicles equipped 3.6L engines. The transmission shifter cable may separate and disconnect from the transmission, causing the vehicle to not perform shifts intended by the driver and the gear shift lever position not matching the… NHTSA campaign 20V036000 · January 23, 2020 · Affected cars

2018 Ram ProMaster. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Power Train: Automatic Transmission Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles manufactured July 31, 2015, to April 18, 2016, 2016 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured August 17, 2015, to January 29, 2016, and 2016 RAM ProMaster vehicles manufactured August 15… NHTSA campaign 16V461000 · June 24, 2016 · Affected cars

2016 Chrysler Town and Country, 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

What happened when owners saw P0740?

8 of the 8 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.

On my 2016 Town & Country, the check engine light went on. The repair facility said the code is PO740 (transmission torque converter circuit). Another repair facility says the transmission needs to be replaced. The vehicle has only 61,XXX miles.
2016 Chrysler Town and CountryPower TrainNHTSA complaint 11496739 · Dec 9, 2022
When driving the vehicle shifted to N and then back to D automatically. Shuddering sometimes. Took the vehicle at dealer and they mentioned transmission is and an issue and will need torque converter.Code P0740 and check engine light illuminated after this.
2015 Dodge Grand CaravanPower TrainNHTSA complaint 11562844 · Dec 31, 2023
Vehicle has P0740 code of which is a recall on the transmission pump. The recall is S 44 however my vin does not apply even though it’s the same make,model,year, engine and drivetrain as the recall. Please include my Vin number in the recall because the vehicle stalls/ hesitate when the gas pedal is applied and the transmission is trying to downshift when speeding up to change lanes. The situation is dangerous because the driver can lose control of the vehicle when planning to execute and not get a response from the vehicle when accelerating or changing lanes. The problem is more of a 2 to 3 second hiccup and the vehicle seems confused. Include this vehicle and my Vin number in the S 44…
2015 Dodge JourneyPower Train, EngineNHTSA complaint 11630070 · Dec 11, 2024
2021 Mercedes-Benz C300 with M254 2.0L turbo engine experienced sudden cylinder head failure at 44,000 miles due to manufacturing porosity in the cylinder head and camshaft bore scoring. Dealer confirmed defect. This is a known, recurring issue on 2021–2023 M254 engines with multiple documented failures under 50k miles. Sudden loss of compression and misfires create a safety risk of engine failure or fire while driving. TSB NUMBER LI07.16-P-074000 (February 2023, updated multiple times). This is a known production/early break-in issue with the M254 engine, not the result of owner misuse or delayed maintenance.
2021 Mercedes-Benz C-ClassEngineNHTSA complaint 11701560 · Nov 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 Ram Promaster 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the service Hill Holder, Electronic Stability Control and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with codes HAF, DTC, P0740, TCC clutch performance, and metal debris found in the transmission fluid. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
2018 Ram ProMasterElectronic Stability Control (ESC), Engine, Power TrainNHTSA complaint 11619797 · Oct 15, 2024
HAVING TRANSMISSION ISSUES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CAUSED BY P0740. DEALER ENGINE LIGHT IS ON BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN A 5 YEAR OLD VEHICLE.
2013 Chrysler Town and CountryUnknown Or OtherNHTSA complaint 11114509 · Jul 30, 2018
THE TRANSMISSION OF THE DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 2015. I CHECKED THE RECALL AND THE MANUFACTURER ONLY RECALLS THE ONES PRODUCED FROM 08/2015 TO 2016. MY CAR WAS PRODUCED IN 02/0215 SO IT WAS NOT RECALLED. THE TRANSMISSION KEPT GETTING PROBLEM WITH THE GEAR AND SHIFT. IT ALSO GAVE A CODE FOR P0740 TCC WHILE IT IS JUST 80,000+ MILES. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT FOR 4 MONTHS AND THE CAR HEATED UP PRETTY BAD WITH BAD SMELL AND SHAKING WHEN SPEEDING UP. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND THEY SAID DODGE HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION PUMP THAT FEEDS THE TORQUE CONVERTER, AND ALSO CAUSE FAIL HYDRAULIC PRESSURE. THIS COULD BE THE REASON FOR THE DAMAGE OF MY TORQUE CONVERTER. I DON'T KNOW WHERE AND HOW I SHOULD…
2015 Dodge Grand CaravanPower TrainNHTSA complaint 11407125 · Apr 8, 2021
The check engine light stays on and code po740 Torque converter clutch circuit open, and the stated fix is replace converter solenoid and trans fluid and filter. Also recommends do not drive. I am qualified to make repairs and did so, cleared codes drove Approx.100 miles light returned on solid. I did research and found a recall id 16V461000 that may not have traveled through the recall system yet. I spoke to a dodge service advisor and was told that is was common and they have replaced several transmission so far this year. Part are scarce to get and Approx. $7k repair. and no recall was issued for the problem. It is my understanding that the car can loose power and no longer move as the…
2015 Dodge JourneyPower TrainNHTSA complaint 11549276 · Oct 10, 2023

P0740: questions drivers ask

What does code P0740 mean?

P0740 is a generic OBD-II powertrain code. Its standard definition is "Torque Converter Clutch 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 5 car models.

Which cars get code P0740 most often?

In NHTSA owner complaints, P0740 is mentioned most for the Chrysler Town and Country (2), Dodge Grand Caravan (2), Dodge Journey (2), across 5 models and model years 2013 to 2021. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.

Is there a recall for code P0740?

No NHTSA recall text names P0740 directly. 3 recalls on the cars that report this code concern the same component owners name most (Power Train); they may or may not relate to the code. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What should I do if my car shows P0740?

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 P0740 (including sub-code forms such as P074000). 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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