What P050D means
GM's direct-injection gasoline engines (from about 2016) split the injection into two pulses and retard the ignition after a cold start to heat the catalyst.
How the engine computer detects it
P050D counts engine cycles with incomplete combustion via the crankshaft misfire detection during this strategy; if the rate reaches the catalyst-damaging misfire threshold, the code sets – once per trip, while the strategy is active (under 45 s running, coolant up to 66 °C (151 °F)). Mostly MIL after two trips, some calibrations without MIL. Ford and FCA do not use P050D.
Written from public technical sources and not yet checked by a mechanic. How we write these pages
Symptoms
- Check engine light on (depending on calibration)
- Rough idle or jerking in the first seconds after a cold start
- Usually unremarkable when warm
Common causes
- Injector with poor spray pattern or deposits, or injector circuit fault Most likely
- Spark plug or ignition coil weak Possible
- Engine module software or calibration Possible
- Poor fuel or low fuel pressure Less likely
How to diagnose P050D
- Read every stored code with an OBD-II scanner. If misfire or fuel trim codes are there too, fix those first: they often cause this one.
- Inspect the parts involved: fuel injectors, ignition coils, cold start strategy, engine control module.
- Work through the causes above from most to least likely, cheapest checks first.
- Clear the code and drive a full drive cycle to confirm the repair held.
Vehicles that report P050D most
| Vehicle | Years | Reports | Share | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 2015–2023 | 8 | 32k | |
| Chevrolet Tahoe | 2021 | 3 | — | |
| GMC Yukon | 2020–2021 | 3 | — |
Counts of owner complaints to the NHTSA that mention P050D (22 in total), not failure rates: popular models get more complaints simply because more of them are on the road. Models with fewer than 3 complaints are left out.
Reading the code
- P
- Powertrain
- 0
- Generic (SAE) code
- 5
- Vehicle speed, idle control and auxiliary inputs
- 0D
- Specific fault
Questions drivers ask
Can I drive with code P050D?
Usually yes for a short time, if the car drives normally, the temperature gauge reads normal and the check engine light is steady. If the light flashes, the engine loses power or overheats, or other warning lights come on, pull over and have it checked.
Will my car pass an emissions inspection with P050D?
Probably not in states that test vehicles with an OBD-II scan: an emissions-related code that keeps the check engine light on is usually an automatic fail. Rules differ by state and county, so check yours.
Will P050D clear by itself?
The light can go off after several drive cycles without the fault, but the code returns if the cause is still there. After a repair, the readiness monitors need a full drive cycle before an inspection.
Often reported together
Codes that owners mention in the same NHTSA complaints as P050D. They can point to a shared cause, so it's worth checking them together.
This page is general information, not a substitute for a professional diagnosis. Repair costs are rough estimates for parts and labor and vary by vehicle and region.