EngineLightCodes
Powertrain code

P2106 Throttle Actuator Control System — Forced Limited Power

Severity
Stop soon
Typical repair cost
$130–$990
Do it yourself
Shop job
Shop time
1.0–4.0 hours

The computer has found a problem with the electronic throttle or the gas pedal sensor and has put the engine in reduced-power mode to keep it safe. P2106 describes that power limit; the actual fault usually has its own code, so the other codes stored with it matter most.

How the engine computer detects it

The TAC monitor restricts maximum throttle opening as a safety response to a TAC fault. The vehicle can still be driven, but accelerator pedal travel is capped.

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

Symptoms

  • Check engine light on
  • Reduced throttle response, possible limp mode
  • Hesitation or surging
  • Idle too high or too low

Common causes

  1. Underlying TAC fault triggers limit Most likely
  2. Pedal position sensor signal implausible Possible

How to diagnose P2106

  1. Read all stored codes. P2106 usually comes with a throttle or pedal code such as P2111, P2135 or P2138. Fix that one first.
  2. Have the battery tested and check the battery terminals and engine grounds. Low voltage can set throttle faults.
  3. With the ignition off, check the throttle body and gas pedal connectors for corrosion or loose pins.
  4. With the ignition off, remove the intake boot and look for heavy carbon around the throttle plate. Clean it without forcing the plate open.
  5. Look up recalls and service bulletins for your vehicle. Some cars have them for throttle bodies or pedal sensors.
  6. After replacing a throttle body or pedal, many cars need a throttle relearn with a scanner.

Vehicles that report P2106 most

VehicleYearsReportsMedian miles
Ford Freestyle2005–20062280k
Kia Sorento2008–2017735k
Kia Sedona2006–2011569k
Hyundai Sonata2007–2012469k
Hyundai Santa FE2008–2012468k
Ford Five Hundred20053120k

Counts of owner complaints to the NHTSA that mention P2106 (55 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
2
Generic (SAE) code
106
Specific fault

Questions drivers ask

Can I drive with code P2106?

Only far enough to get somewhere safe or to a nearby shop. Power is capped, so the car may not accelerate well enough to merge or keep up on the highway. If it hesitates, surges or idles unevenly, have it towed.

Will my car pass an emissions inspection with P2106?

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 P2106 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 P2106. 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.