EngineLightCodes
Powertrain code

P0741 Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance/Stuck Off

Severity
Fix soon
Typical repair cost
$160–$3,300
Do it yourself
Shop job
Shop time
1–10 hours

The torque converter clutch isn't locking up the way it should. You may feel a shudder at light throttle at cruising speed, see higher rpm at highway speed and get worse gas mileage. Old fluid or a sticking solenoid is often the cause.

How the engine computer detects it

P0741 means the converter clutch does not lock although commanded – slip stays too high while the circuit is electrically fine. Thresholds: GM's T43 at least 130 rpm for 5 s twice, the 6T70 50 rpm for 5 s three times, Saab's Aisin AF40 over 100 rpm for 2 s, all after two trips; Ford over 100–200 rpm or a speed ratio below 0.93 over five lock-up events; Subaru engine speed more than 9/8 of target for 10.2 s. The module then locks out the clutch, sometimes the top gear, and uses a hot-mode shift pattern. Low or burnt fluid, a worn control valve in the valve body and a glazed converter clutch are the usual causes; Hyundai's 8-speed bulletin calls for a new converter.

Written from public technical sources and not yet checked by a mechanic. How we write these pages

Symptoms

  • Check engine light or transmission warning
  • Higher engine speed when cruising, 'rubber band' feel
  • Higher consumption, rising fluid temperature
  • Possibly shudder when the clutch applies

Common causes

  1. Fluid level too low, old or burnt fluid Most likely
  2. Converter clutch control valve worn or sticking, bore worn Most likely
  3. Lock-up clutch in the converter worn or glazed Possible
  4. Solenoid mechanically sluggish (electrically fine) Possible
  5. Leaking turbine shaft seals or pump Less likely

How to diagnose P0741

  1. Check the transmission fluid level and condition. Low or burnt fluid is a common cause.
  2. Look for other transmission codes, especially solenoid circuit codes like P0740.
  3. A fluid and filter service sometimes fixes it if the fluid is old.
  4. A shop can watch converter slip on a scanner and test the lock-up solenoid. If the clutch itself is worn, the torque converter needs replacing.

Vehicles that report P0741 most

VehicleYearsReportsMedian miles
Honda Pilot2005–201814130k
Honda Accord2003–201611104k
Toyota Corolla2005–201810118k
Honda Ridgeline2017–20199—
Ford Escape2007–20177101k
Ford F-1502011–20175—
Acura RDX2017–20185—
Pontiac Vibe2006–2007488k
BMW 530IA2002–20034100k
BMW 530I2002–2003482k

Counts of owner complaints to the NHTSA that mention P0741 (143 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
7
Transmission
41
Specific fault

Questions drivers ask

Can I drive with code P0741?

Yes, gently, for a short time. Driving long with a slipping converter clutch builds heat and wears the transmission.

Will my car pass an emissions inspection with P0741?

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 P0741 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 P0741. 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.