P2106

Throttle Actuator Control System - Forced Limited Power

Q: Is it safe to drive with P2106?

Only briefly. The car still moves but power is intentionally limited, so merging and hill climbs are risky. Diagnose it promptly rather than driving on it.

Q: Can I just clear P2106?

It will clear, but forced-limited-power is a protection response — it returns as soon as the ECM sees the throttle fault again until the underlying cause is repaired.

Throttle actuator control Generic OBD-II High

What it means

P2106 means the ECM has detected a problem in the electronic (drive-by-wire) throttle system and has deliberately forced the engine into a reduced-power "limp" mode to keep you safe. It is almost always set together with another throttle code that names the actual fault, so it points to a throttle problem rather than being the root cause itself.

High

Can I keep driving? Drivable but crippled — the ECM has forced the car into reduced-power (limp) mode, so acceleration is weak; get it diagnosed before relying on it in traffic.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

117

scans in the past year

Found in

<0.1%

of scans

<0.1%

of scans that found faults

Figures reflect only diagnostic scans recorded through our own apps and tools. Cars are typically scanned because a symptom or warning light prompted it, so these counts describe our scan records — not the incidence of faults in any model, and not the quality, reliability, or safety of any vehicle. No comparison between manufacturers or models is implied. All trademarks belong to their respective owners; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.

Common symptoms

What you'll notice

Check-engine light on, often with a wrench or reduced-power warning
Engine in limp mode with noticeably reduced power
Poor throttle response, hesitation, or a capped RPM
Rough or unstable idle

Common causes

Most likely first

Underlying throttle-body fault the ECM is protecting against — dirty or carboned throttle bore, or a sticking throttle plateLikely
Faulty throttle actuator (throttle motor) or throttle position sensorCommon
Open, shorted, or corroded wiring/connector in the drive-by-wire throttle circuitCommon
Faulty accelerator pedal position sensorLess often
PCM/ECM fault (least likely)Less often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Scan for companion throttle codes (P2101-P2135) — P2106 is usually set alongside the real fault; fix that first.
Clean the throttle body and plate, then clear the code and re-test before replacing parts.
Inspect the throttle and pedal connectors and wiring for damage, corrosion, or loose pins.
Test the throttle actuator motor and position sensors for correct sweep and reference voltage.
If the throttle body was cleaned or replaced, perform the idle/throttle relearn procedure.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P2106?+

Only briefly. The car still moves but power is intentionally limited, so merging and hill climbs are risky. Diagnose it promptly rather than driving on it.

Can I just clear P2106?+

It will clear, but forced-limited-power is a protection response — it returns as soon as the ECM sees the throttle fault again until the underlying cause is repaired.

Read & clear P2106 yourself

Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.

▶ Get it on Google Play

✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX