Fault Code Lookup › Powertrain codes › P2138
P2138 Powertrain · generic OBD-II
Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch 'D' / 'E' Voltage Correlation
P2138 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 152 complaints filed with NHTSA. Updated November 3, 2026.
- 152owner reports
- 25car models
- 1mention a crash
- 0mention a fire
- 2012–2025model years
Which cars get code P2138?
Every model whose owners mentioned P2138 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.
Chevrolet Impala
18 reportsChevrolet Impala Limited
17 reportsChevrolet Malibu Limited
17 reportsChevrolet Silverado
9 reportsChevrolet Sonic
6 reportsChevrolet Traverse
5 reportsGMC Acadia
5 reportsChevrolet Colorado
3 reportsGMC Sierra
3 reportsChevrolet Camaro
2 reportsChevrolet Equinox
2 reportsFord Fiesta
2 reportsJeep Renegade
2 reportsChevrolet Avalanche
1 reportChevrolet Spark
1 reportChevrolet Tahoe
1 reportChevrolet Trax
1 reportDodge Grand Caravan
1 reportFord Bronco
1 reportFord F-150
1 reportJeep Patriot
1 reportJeep Wrangler
1 reportMercedes-Benz GLC-Class
1 reportMercedes-Benz GLK-Class
1 reportWhere does P2138 show up?
By brand
- Chevrolet133
- GMC8
- Ford4
- Jeep4
- Mercedes-Benz2
- Dodge1
Component the owner filed it under
Is there a recall for P2138?
As of November 3, 2026, no NHTSA recall on the cars reporting P2138 names this code or its most-reported component. Recalls can be issued at any time: check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What happened when owners saw P2138?
10 of the 152 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.
UNKNOWN While I'm driving my car will lose power and go into reduced engine power mode and slows me down to a crawl. I've almost been hit in the back many times for to this. The coffee is P2138
I experienced a check engine light and a "reduced engine power" message in the middle of traffic in the stromy rain. I was driving 35 to 40 mph before vehicle slowed to almost a stop and when pressed gas pedal it excel slowly creeped to less than 30 MPH THANKFUL I wasn't rear-ended.Pulled into nearest Autozone part store and diagnostic scan showed the P2138 code. DC severity, sensor, and accelerator pedal position - see photos attached. Waited with engine off for approx over 30 minutes then started vehicle , engine lght off and proceeded to my destination excell with no issues.This has happened several times since purchase of vehicle began 2019. Throttle body repairs, ECM replacements and…
I experienced a check engine light and a "reduced engine power" message in the middle of traffic in the stromy rain. I was driving 35 to 40 mph before vehicle slowed to almost a stop and when pressed gas pedal it excel slowly creeped to less than 30 MPH THANKFUL I wasn't rear-ended.Pulled into nearest Autozone part store and diagnostic scan showed the P2138 code. DC severity, sensor, and accelerator pedal position - see photos attached. Waited with engine off for approx over 30 minutes then started vehicle , engine lght off and proceeded to my destination excell with no issues.This has happened several times since purchase of vehicle began 2019. Throttle body repairs, ECM replacements and…
I experienced a check engine light and a "reduced engine power" message in the middle of traffic in the stromy rain. I was driving 35 to 40 mph before vehicle slowed to almost a stop and when pressed gas pedal it excel slowly creeped to less than 30 MPH THANKFUL I wasn't rear-ended.Pulled into nearest Autozone part store and diagnostic scan showed the P2138 code. DC severity, sensor, and accelerator pedal position - see photos attached. Waited with engine off for approx over 30 minutes then started vehicle , engine lght off and proceeded to my destination excell with no issues.This has happened several times since purchase of vehicle began 2019. Throttle body repairs, ECM replacements and…
On September 10, 2026, while traveling approximately 60 mph in the passing lane, my 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 suddenly lost normal acceleration and entered Reduced Engine Power mode. Vehicle speed dropped to approximately 40 mph, and pressing the accelerator would not provide normal power. This created a safety concern while traveling at highway speed. On September 11, OnStar On-Demand Diagnostics documented ECM code P2138 (Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor 1-2 Correlation) and ABS code U0422. The TCM reported no error codes. The check-engine light later turned off, indicating the problem is intermittent. GM Technical Service Bulletin 07-06-04-019F addresses intermittent P2138 with…
Reviving the p2138 code for throttle/accelerator sensor. Still getting code after replacing 3 accelerator peddles. Possible manufacture issue with wiring that water gets into connectors shorting out that system
STABILITRACK MESSAGE COMES ON AND REDUCED POWER FOR NO REASON. LOSES POWER INSTANTLY AND HAVE TO PULL OVER. TURNS BACK ON AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON, BUT CAN DRIVE AS NORMAL UNTIL I TURN IT OFF AND WHO KNOWS WHEN IT COMES BACK. SEVERAL TIMES HAS ACTED LIKE IT IS STUCK IN 4TH GEAR WHILE IN DRIVE. REVERSE IS OKAY. OTHER TIMES IT HAS NOT STARTED, AT ALL. I BROUGHT IT IN AND DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS BATTERY. REPLACED IT, THEN WORKED OK FOR COUPLE DAYS, THEN SAME PROBLEMS STARTED SHOWING BACK UP. BROUGHT BACK IN AND CODE P2138 SHOWED UP INDICATING PEDAL POSITION SENSOR. I REPLACED PEDAL AND THE ISSUE OF REDUCED ENGINE POWER HAS NOT COME BACK YET (3 WEEKS). OTHER ISSUES HAVE RECENTLY SHOWN BACK…
My Acadia went into limp Mode displaying low power mode on the screen and wouldn’t start for a couple days after. Lights started illuminating on the dash as abs, traction control, and stanilitrack, then check engine light came on and my gmc app displayed code p2138. I have had since low power and extremely high gas consumption.
Received a P2138 Throttle/Pedal position sensor/switch "D"/"E" voltage correlation code while driving that caused "Reduced Power" and "stabilitrak" errors. The reduced power mode it went into made the truck unable to accelerate in a safe manner and made the truck "jump" wildly as it attempted to accelerate.
For no apparent reason the truck goes into “low power mode” and gives off code p2138 often happens around 30-35 mph. Have had it happen to me also around 45 mph also. I have replaced sensors and parts to which a month or so goes by and it happens again.
P2138: questions drivers ask
What does code P2138 mean?
P2138 is a generic OBD-II powertrain code. Its standard definition is "Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch 'D' / 'E' Voltage Correlation". 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 25 car models.
Which cars get code P2138 most often?
In NHTSA owner complaints, P2138 is mentioned most for the Chevrolet Malibu (50), Chevrolet Impala (18), Chevrolet Impala Limited (17), across 25 models and model years 2012 to 2025. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.
Is there a recall for code P2138?
As of November 2026, no NHTSA recall on the cars reporting P2138 names this code or its most-reported component. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What should I do if my car shows P2138?
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 P2138. 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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