OBD-II code · Powertrain (generic, extended)

P2138 Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor "D"/"E" Voltage Correlation

The two redundant accelerator pedal position sensors disagree by more than the allowed tolerance. The ECU cannot trust either signal and switches to limp-home with very limited torque. Often appears intermittently with a worn pedal sensor before failing outright.

Is it safe to drive with P2138?

The car may go into limp mode (reduced power). Get it diagnosed before a long trip.

Common causes

  • Most likelyPedal position sensor worn or contaminated
  • PossibleCorroded pedal connector

Symptoms

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

Repair at a glance

Difficulty
Easy
DIY friendly
Often, with basic tools
Typical labour
0.3–1.5 h
Emissions test
Likely to fail
After the fix
A drive cycle is needed before the light stays off
Parts involved
Accelerator Pedal Sensor, Accelerator Pedal Wiring

Code data: OBDex open dataset (CC0). Labour times are typical ranges, not a quote.