P2118

Throttle Actuator A Control Motor Current Range/Performance

Throttle control (drive-by-wire) Generic OBD-II Medium

What it means

P2118 means the current drawn by the electronic throttle's actuator motor is outside the expected range — the motor is drawing too much or too little for the throttle position being commanded. It usually points to a worn throttle actuator motor, a dirty throttle bore, or a wiring fault, and the ECM may limit power to keep things safe.

Medium

Can I keep driving? Often drivable, but the throttle may respond poorly and the car can enter reduced-power mode; have it diagnosed soon.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

668

scans in the past year

Found in

0.1%

of scans

0.2%

of scans that found faults

Appears alongside · share of P2118 scans

P2101in 48.8% of scans

P0222in 38.3% of scans

P0122in 35.5% of scans

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
Reduced power or 'limp' (failsafe) mode
Hesitation or sluggish throttle response
Rough or unstable idle

Common causes

Most likely first

Faulty throttle actuator motor inside the throttle bodyLikely
Dirty or carbon-fouled throttle bore adding drag on the motorCommon
Wiring or connector faults in the throttle actuator motor circuitCommon
Failing ECM/PCM driver for the throttle motorLess often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Read freeze-frame data and scan for related throttle codes (P2100-P2103, P2108).
Inspect the throttle actuator wiring and connector for damage, corrosion, or a loose pin.
Clean the throttle body and bore so the plate moves freely, then clear and re-test.
Measure the throttle motor current/resistance; replace the throttle body if the motor is out of spec.
If wiring and motor test good, suspect the ECM/PCM driver circuit.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P2118?+

Usually for short distances, but reduced-power mode can appear without warning, so avoid highway or heavy-traffic driving until it's repaired.

Can I just clear P2118?+

You can, but unless the underlying wiring or throttle-motor fault is fixed the code will come back.

Read & clear P2118 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