The Lemon IndexThe transmission is running too hot.
Stop and fix now. Don't put it off. This can affect safety, stall the car or cause expensive damage.
Low or old transmission fluid. Then: towing or heavy load; blocked transmission cooler.
Owners named P0218 in 7 complaints to the U.S. government, most often on the Dodge.
The details
What P0218 means
The transmission is running too hot. Ease off and let it cool; heat wears a transmission fast.
Can I drive with P0218?
Stop and fix now. Don't put it off. This can affect safety, stall the car or cause expensive damage.
29% of the owner complaints that name P0218 also say the car transmission slips or shifts hard. A complaint can describe more than one problem, so this doesn't prove the code caused it.
Common causes of P0218
- Low or old transmission fluid
- Towing or heavy load
- Blocked transmission cooler
A shop should confirm the cause with a scan and tests before replacing parts.
What owners describe
- Transmission slips or shifts hard: 29% of complaints
- Overheats: 29% of complaints
Share of complaints naming the code whose text also mentions each problem.
Related codes
P0217 P0219 P0221 P0222 P0204 P0203 P0202 P0201
Quick answers
What does P0218 mean?
Transmission Fluid Over Temperature Condition. The transmission is running too hot. Ease off and let it cool; heat wears a transmission fast.
Can I drive with P0218?
Stop and fix now. Don't put it off. This can affect safety, stall the car or cause expensive damage.
What causes P0218?
Low or old transmission fluid; Towing or heavy load; Blocked transmission cooler.
Counts: NHTSA owner complaints whose text names P0218. A complaint is an owner's report, not a diagnosis. Meanings: the standard SAE J2012 definitions in our own words; manufacturer codes only where verified for that make. General information, not repair advice for your car.