The Lemon IndexThe electronic throttle isn't moving the way it's commanded.
Fix soon. Book a shop visit this week. Stop driving if the car slips, shakes, overheats or warns you.
Dirty or failing throttle body. Then: wiring fault.
Owners named P0638 in 13 complaints to the U.S. government, most often on the Kia Sorento.
Cars owners report it on
Complaints that name P0638, by model. Raw counts, not a failure rate: popular models get more complaints.
Years owners report it on most: 2013 Kia Sorento
The details
What P0638 means
The electronic throttle isn't moving the way it's commanded. The car may go into reduced power.
Can I drive with P0638?
Fix soon. Book a shop visit this week. Stop driving if the car slips, shakes, overheats or warns you.
31% of the owner complaints that name P0638 also say the car stalls or shuts off. A complaint can describe more than one problem, so this doesn't prove the code caused it.
Common causes of P0638
- Dirty or failing throttle body
- Wiring fault
A shop should confirm the cause with a scan and tests before replacing parts.
What owners describe
- Stalls or shuts off: 31% of complaints
- Loses power or goes into limp mode: 15% of complaints
- Brakes or ABS act up: 15% of complaints
- Shakes, runs rough or misfires: 15% of complaints
Share of complaints naming the code whose text also mentions each problem.
Model years that report P0638 most
2013 Kia Sorento (2).
Related codes
P0627 P0651 P061C P061B P061A P0657 P060A P0607
Quick answers
What does P0638 mean?
Throttle Actuator Control Range/Performance (Bank 1). The electronic throttle isn't moving the way it's commanded. The car may go into reduced power.
Can I drive with P0638?
Fix soon. Book a shop visit this week. Stop driving if the car slips, shakes, overheats or warns you.
What causes P0638?
Dirty or failing throttle body; Wiring fault.
Counts: NHTSA owner complaints whose text names P0638. 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.