P2138 on Chevrolet vehicles The two accelerator pedal position sensors disagree with each other
P2138 is named on 23 Chevrolet model years (2016–2019): 30 manufacturer filings and 50 owner reports in NHTSA’s files, across Malibu, Traverse, Colorado, Bolt EV, City Express Cargo Van and 7 more.
Which Chevrolet model years name P2138
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints| Model year | Filed under | Bulletins | Owner reports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Chevrolet Malibu | Engine | 4 | 17 |
| 2017 Chevrolet Malibu | Engine | 4 | 16 |
| 2018 Chevrolet Malibu | Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 12 |
| 2016 Chevrolet Traverse | Engine | 1 | 2 |
| 2017 Chevrolet Colorado | Engine | — | 2 |
| 2019 Chevrolet Trax | Unspecified | — | 1 |
| 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV | Engine | 1 | — |
| 2018 Chevrolet Cruze | Engine | 1 | — |
| 2018 Chevrolet Express | Engine | 1 | — |
| 2018 Chevrolet Impala | Engine | 1 | — |
| 2018 Chevrolet Sonic | Engine | 1 | — |
| 2018 Chevrolet Spark | Engine | 1 | — |
| 2018 Chevrolet Trax | Engine | 1 | — |
| 2017 Chevrolet SS | Electrical System | 1 | — |
| 2017 Chevrolet Sonic | Engine | 1 | — |
| 2017 Chevrolet Spark | Engine | 1 | — |
| 2017 Chevrolet Traverse | Engine | 1 | — |
| 2017 Chevrolet Trax | Electrical System | 1 | — |
| 2016 Chevrolet City Express Cargo Van | Electrical System | 1 | — |
| 2016 Chevrolet SS | Engine | 1 | — |
| 2016 Chevrolet Sonic | Engine | 1 | — |
| 2016 Chevrolet Spark | Engine | 1 | — |
| 2016 Chevrolet Trax | Engine | 1 | — |
A model year is listed because the code is named in its own record — a bulletin filed against it, or an owner’s complaint about it — not because every one of these vehicles sets it. Counts are documents in NHTSA’s files, not failure rates.
When Chevrolet owners report it
miles, typically
Half of the 31 Chevrolet owner reports naming P2138 that carry an odometer reading fall between 47,000 and 75,000 miles.
What Chevrolet owners said
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseOwners’ own words, scrubbed of anything identifying. Unverified reports filed with NHTSA — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Received a P2138 Throttle/Pedal position sensor/switch "D"/"E" voltage correlation code while driving that caused "Reduced Power" and "stabilitrak" errors
P2138 Throttle/pedal Position Sensor/switch "D"/"E" Voltage Correlation loss of power on the vehicle , gas peedle has been replaced , proplem persits his condition may be caused by water intrusion into the instrument panel (IP) to body…
Chevrolet filings that name P2138
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communicationsBulletins and campaigns Chevrolet filed with NHTSA whose summary names P2138. Quote the document number at the service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
- 070604019F Service bulletin2017-11-17 · Engine
- This technical bulletin provides repair information for repairing the IP to body harness connector to correct a customer concern for intermittent Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated with Reduced Engine Power displayed and DTC P2138 set.
- N182188250 Service bulletin2019-08-15 · Electrical System
- Certain 2016-2018 model year Chevrolet Malibu, 2017-2018 model year Buick LaCrosse, and 2018 model year Buick Regal vehicles may have a condition which affects the electrical connection to one of the vehicle?s accelerator pedal position sensors. If this electrical connection is interrupted, the accelerator pedal will still function, but the vehicle will enter a reduced engine power mode in which
- N182188250 02 Service bulletin2020-06-19 · Engine
- Special Coverage Adjustment - Certain 2016-2018 model year Chevrolet Malibu, 2017-2018 model year Buick LaCrosse, and 2018 model year Buick Regal vehicles may have a condition which affects the electrical connection to one of the vehicle?s accelerator pedal position sensors. If this electrical connection is interrupted, the accelerator pedal will still function, but the vehicle will enter a reduc
What P2138 means
Source: SAE J2012 / OBD-IIThe two accelerator pedal position sensors disagree with each other.
A stored code names the test that failed, never the part that caused it. The record above is what Chevrolet and its owners have filed about it; the code’s page across every make has the whole file.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA files and the OBD-II standardIs P2138 a known problem on Chevrolet vehicles?
It is a documented one: NHTSA's files hold 30 manufacturer filings and 50 owner reports naming P2138 on 23 Chevrolet model years (2016–2019). Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count — but a bulletin that names the code on your model year is the place to start.
Which Chevrolet models does P2138 appear on most?
2016 Malibu (21 documents), 2017 Malibu (20 documents), 2018 Malibu (16 documents).
Does P2138 on a Chevrolet mean it is recalled?
No. Recalls are filed by campaign and matched by VIN; no recall is triggered by a scan tool. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or open the model year's page here for the campaigns filed against it.