The Lemon IndexThe engine isn't holding its normal temperature.
Get it fixed soon. A few more days of normal driving is usually OK, but waiting can turn a small repair into a bigger one or a breakdown.
Faulty thermostat. Then: low coolant; faulty coolant temp sensor.
Owners named P2181 in 8 complaints to the U.S. government, most often on the Chrysler 200.
Cars owners report it on
Complaints that name P2181, by model. Raw counts, not a failure rate: popular models get more complaints.
Years owners report it on most: 2015 Chrysler 200
The details
What P2181 means
The engine isn't holding its normal temperature.
Can I drive with P2181?
Get it fixed soon. A few more days of normal driving is usually OK, but waiting can turn a small repair into a bigger one or a breakdown.
38% of the owner complaints that name P2181 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 P2181
- Faulty thermostat
- Low coolant
- Faulty coolant temp sensor
A shop should confirm the cause with a scan and tests before replacing parts.
What owners describe
- Stalls or shuts off: 38% of complaints
Share of complaints naming the code whose text also mentions each problem.
Model years that report P2181 most
2015 Chrysler 200 (3).
Related codes
P2176 P2173 P2172 P2191 P2195 P2196 P2198 P219A
Quick answers
What does P2181 mean?
Cooling System Performance. The engine isn't holding its normal temperature.
Can I drive with P2181?
Get it fixed soon. A few more days of normal driving is usually OK, but waiting can turn a small repair into a bigger one or a breakdown.
What causes P2181?
Faulty thermostat; Low coolant; Faulty coolant temp sensor.
Counts: NHTSA owner complaints whose text names P2181. 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.