P2165
Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor C Maximum Stop Performance
Throttle / pedal position
Generic OBD-II
Medium
What it means
P2165 means the ECM sees the 'C' throttle/accelerator-pedal position sensor reading incorrectly at its maximum (full-travel) stop. Because the ECM relies on this signal to know how far the throttle is being commanded, a bad reading typically forces the car into reduced-power or limp mode until the sensor or its wiring is corrected.
Medium
Can I keep driving? Often limited — the car may drop into limp/reduced-power mode; drivable at low speed but have it fixed before relying on full throttle response.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Check-engine light on
- Reduced engine power, often limp mode
- Hesitation or poor throttle response at higher pedal travel
- Occasionally a hard start
Common causes
Most likely first
- Faulty accelerator pedal / throttle position sensor 'C'Likely
- Open or shorted sensor harness wiringCommon
- Poor or corroded electrical connection at the sensorCommon
- Pedal travel obstructed at full stroke (e.g. jammed floor mat) — rareLess often
- Faulty ECM/PCMLess often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Read freeze-frame and check for companion pedal/throttle codes (P2163, P2166, P2135).
- Confirm the pedal reaches its full-travel stop and nothing is obstructing it.
- Inspect the sensor connector for bent pins, corrosion, or a loose fit.
- With key on, engine off, verify a steady 5-volt reference and a good ground, and watch the signal at wide-open throttle.
- If reference, ground, and wiring are good, replace the pedal/throttle position sensor and retest.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P2165?+
Drivable at low speed, but the car may enter reduced-power mode and respond poorly to the throttle, so fix it before you need full power.
Can I just clear P2165?+
It will return until the sensor, wiring, or connection is repaired — the ECM keeps checking the pedal sensor's maximum-stop range every drive.
Related codes
Often seen with P2165
Read & clear P2165 yourself
Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.
✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX