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Powertrain Codes (P Codes)

Powertrain codes cover the engine and transmission: fuel and air metering, ignition, emissions equipment, idle and speed control, and the gearbox itself. These are the codes behind the check engine light, and they are the ones drivers look up most. A P code's second character matters: P0xxx and P2xxx codes are generic, with the same definition on every brand, while P1xxx codes are defined by the manufacturer, so the same number can mean different things on different cars.

Most powertrain faults announce themselves through drivability — rough running, hesitation, hard starting, poor fuel economy — but some, like small evaporative leaks, change nothing you can feel and only show up as a light on the dash and a failed emissions test.

There are 7,387 generic P codes in the database. Browse the complete list on the codes list page.

System clusters

Powertrain codes with full guides