What P0868 means
The fluid pressure inside the transmission is lower than the computer is asking for. The transmission uses that pressure to apply its clutches, so low pressure makes it slip, engage late or run hot. Low fluid from a leak or a clogged filter is the simplest cause; a sticking pressure control valve or internal wear are also common.
How the engine computer detects it
P0867 to P0869 cover the system or line pressure of the transmission as a whole: a pressure sensor measures it and the control module compares it with the pressure it commands. Faults of the sensor circuit itself have their own codes (Chrysler 68RFE P0932 ff), the single switches A to H have theirs (P0840 ff). Thresholds are not published; the codes are documented in bulletins for the Ram 68RFE and for the Tremec dual clutch of Corvette C8 and Maserati MC20. P0868 means the measured pressure stays below target. Chrysler calls it 'Line Pressure Low' on the 68RFE and fixed some cases with a software update; on 2024 Ram trucks it came with P0841 from a failed rear thrust washer. On the Corvette a sticking pressure valve is typical. The module then commands maximum pressure.
Written from public technical sources and not yet checked by a mechanic. How we write these pages
Symptoms
- Transmission warning lamp or MIL on
- Slipping, delayed engagement
- Limp mode
- Overheating under load
Common causes
- Fluid level low, leak or clogged filter Most likely
- Pressure control valve or solenoid sticking from dirt Most likely
- Internal leakage or mechanical damage: thrust washer, seal rings, pump Possible
- Software calibration of the target pressure Less likely
- Line pressure sensor reading low Less likely
How to diagnose P0868
- Check the fluid level as your owner's manual describes, and look under the car for leaks at the pan, the cooler lines and the cooler.
- Read the transmission codes with a scanner that supports your transmission. A pressure sensor or pressure switch code alongside P0868 can mean the reading is wrong, not the pressure.
- Check the fluid condition. Burnt fluid or metal debris means internal wear.
- Look for service bulletins and software updates for the transmission. On some vehicles a software update addresses this code.
- A shop can fit a pressure gauge and compare real line pressure with what the sensor reports. That separates a sensor fault from a real pressure loss.
- If pressure is truly low with full, clean fluid, the pressure control solenoid, valve body, pump or internal seals are next, which usually means a valve body repair or a rebuild.
Vehicles that report P0868 most
| Vehicle | Years | Reports | Share | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Murano | 2004–2010 | 4 | — | |
| Nissan Quest | 2011–2014 | 4 | 78k | |
| Dodge Grand Caravan | 2016–2019 | 4 | — | |
| Chrysler Town and Country | 2015–2016 | 3 | — |
Counts of owner complaints to the NHTSA that mention P0868 (36 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
- 8
- Transmission
- 68
- Specific fault
Questions drivers ask
Can I drive with code P0868?
Don't drive it far. Low pressure lets the clutches slip, and slipping quickly overheats and damages the transmission. If it slips, is slow to engage Drive or Reverse, or is stuck in one gear, have it towed.
Will my car pass an emissions inspection with P0868?
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.
Often reported together
Codes that owners mention in the same NHTSA complaints as P0868. They can point to a shared cause, so it's worth checking them together.
- P0746Pressure Control Solenoid A Performance/Stuck Off8 complaints
- P1778Manufacturer-specific code7 complaints
- P0944Hydraulic Pressure Unit Loss of Pressure4 complaints
- P083BTransmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch G Circuit Range/Performance3 complaints
- P1700Manufacturer-specific code3 complaints
- P1790Manufacturer-specific code3 complaints
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.