Fault Code Lookup › Powertrain codes › P2181

P2181 Powertrain · generic OBD-II

Cooling System Performance

P2181 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 4 complaints filed with NHTSA. Updated November 9, 2026.

  • 4owner reports
  • 2car models
  • 0mention a crash
  • 0mention a fire
  • 2015–2017model years

Which cars get code P2181?

Every model whose owners mentioned P2181 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 P2181 show up?

By brand

  • Chrysler3
  • Dodge1

Component the owner filed it under

  1. Engine2 (50%)
  2. Vehicle Speed Control1 (25%)
  3. Electronic Stability Control (ESC)1 (25%)
  4. Power Train1 (25%)
  5. Steering1 (25%)
  6. Electrical System1 (25%)

Is there a recall for P2181?

As of November 9, 2026, no NHTSA recall on the cars reporting P2181 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 P2181?

4 of the 4 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.

VEHICLE IS REPORTING P0128 AND P2181 ERROR CODES. WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE GIVES AN ERROR MESSAGE THAT SAYS SERVICE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL AND SOUNDS LIKE IT IS RUNNING REALLY LOUD. WHEN I TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND TURN IT BACK ON, THE WARNING GOES AWAY AND IT SOUNDS NORMAL AGAIN. ALSO, HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF OUT OF NO WHERE AND WONT TURN ON FOR A FEW ATTEMPTS. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY. VEHICLE ALSO SEEMS TO ACCELERATE WHEN TRYING TO SLOW DOWN AT A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT.
2015 Chrysler 200Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control (ESC)NHTSA complaint 11206259 · May 8, 2019
The ETC warning light came on, then the car slowed down then stalled out and would not crank back up. Upon running a diagnostic, the following error codes displayed; P0420, P0340, P0197, P0117, P1D83, P2181(several codes showing up more than once showing permanent, pending). This also happened before but was taken to the dealership to be repaired but the problem is back again but worse. Me and my family were on the highway at the time of this happening and when this happened previously, I begged Carvana to take this car back as it not safe and it has happened again.
2017 Dodge JourneySteering, Electrical System, Fuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11496504 · Dec 7, 2022
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, ENGINE TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT, AND ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. IN REVIEWING THE POTENTIAL ISSUES, A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE, POTENTIALLY DUE TO A FAULTY THERMOSTAT. WHEN I HAD THE VEHICLE SCANNED AT AUTOZONE, IT PROVIDED CODES P0218 TWICE AND P2181 ONCE. *TR
2015 Chrysler 200Power Train, EngineNHTSA complaint 10937590 · Dec 27, 2016
FIRST ENGINE LIGHT COME UP THEN CAR STARTED TO OVERHEAT. COOLANT TEMP. 185 AND CAR OVERHEAT. PANEL READ ENGINE TEMPERATURE TOO HOT .. I CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM CODE P0128(THERMOSTATS) AND P2181(COOLANT SYSTEM) CAME UP.
2015 Chrysler 200EngineNHTSA complaint 10937561 · Dec 27, 2016

P2181: questions drivers ask

What does code P2181 mean?

P2181 is a generic OBD-II powertrain code. Its standard definition is "Cooling System Performance". 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 2 car models.

Which cars get code P2181 most often?

In NHTSA owner complaints, P2181 is mentioned most for the Chrysler 200 (3), Dodge Journey (1), across 2 models and model years 2015 to 2017. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.

Is there a recall for code P2181?

As of November 2026, no NHTSA recall on the cars reporting P2181 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 P2181?

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 P2181. 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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