The Lemon IndexThe second throttle position signal doesn't make sense, so the car may limit power.
Fix soon. Book a shop visit this week. Stop driving if the car slips, shakes, overheats or warns you.
Failing throttle body sensor. Then: wiring fault.
Owners named P0221 in 6 complaints to the U.S. government, most often on the Chevrolet Traverse.
Cars owners report it on
Complaints that name P0221, by model. Raw counts, not a failure rate: popular models get more complaints.
Years owners report it on most: 2011 Chevrolet Traverse
The details
What P0221 means
The second throttle position signal doesn't make sense, so the car may limit power.
Can I drive with P0221?
Fix soon. Book a shop visit this week. Stop driving if the car slips, shakes, overheats or warns you.
50% of the owner complaints that name P0221 also say the car loses power or goes into limp mode. A complaint can describe more than one problem, so this doesn't prove the code caused it.
Common causes of P0221
- Failing throttle body sensor
- Wiring fault
A shop should confirm the cause with a scan and tests before replacing parts.
What owners describe
- Loses power or goes into limp mode: 50% of complaints
- Stalls or shuts off: 50% of complaints
- Warning lights and electrical faults: 33% of complaints
Share of complaints naming the code whose text also mentions each problem.
Model years that report P0221 most
Related codes
P0222 P0219 P0218 P0217 P0234 P0236 P0204 P0203
Quick answers
What does P0221 mean?
Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor B Range/Performance. The second throttle position signal doesn't make sense, so the car may limit power.
Can I drive with P0221?
Fix soon. Book a shop visit this week. Stop driving if the car slips, shakes, overheats or warns you.
What causes P0221?
Failing throttle body sensor; Wiring fault.
Counts: NHTSA owner complaints whose text names P0221. 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.