P0222: Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch B Circuit Low
A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.
Drive gently to a shop and stay off highways - throttle sensor faults can cut engine power without warning, and losing power mid-overtake or on a fast road is dangerous. Expect reduced power mode.
Symptoms
- Reduced power mode
- Idle-only throttle response in severe cases
- Hesitation
Likely causes, most common first
- Throttle position sensor B failed low
- Connector pin corroded
- Wiring shorted to ground
- Reference voltage fault
Read P0222 yourself before paying for diagnosis
A basic Bluetooth OBD-II scanner ($20-40) plugs into the port under the dashboard and shows this code with live sensor data on your phone - useful both for confirming the fix and for talking to a shop from an informed position.
What is going on and how it gets diagnosed
P0222 is the low-voltage fault on the second throttle position sensor - the B side of the redundant pair every electronic throttle carries. One sensor reading low while its partner reads normally is a wiring-or-sensor question, and the computer stops trusting the throttle until it is resolved.
On most modern cars sensor B lives inside the throttle body and is not sold separately, so the wiring check carries real money: verify the 5-volt reference, the ground and the signal at the connector before the whole throttle body is purchased. A single corroded terminal in that connector produces this code and costs pennies to fix.
Repair options and cost
Typical US independent-shop ranges, parts and labor. Dealers run higher; regional labor rates vary.
Owner reports mentioning P0222
“The vehicle was driving normal in suburban traffic. Stop & go with speeds up to 40 mph. During stop at light the check engine lite came on and the vehicle would not accelerate. The yellow check engine lite is on. The vehicle is in limp mode. Obdii codes: p0122, p0222, p2111, p2135. Throttle body failure. *js”2012 Ford Transit Connect · Dec 2015 · 37,272 mi
“Driving in stop and go traffic. Stopped at lite. Check engine lite came on. No power. Had to idle home. Obdii codes p0122, p0222, p2111. P2135. Tps reading stuck at 82%. Defective throttle body. *js”2012 Ford Transit Connect · Dec 2015 · 367,272 mi
“Vehicle will not operate over 1,000 rpm. It had the throttle body cleaned on 15 aug 2013 under customer satisfaction recall 12n03. For the original complaint, the idling spiked where in this instance the car will not accelerate above 1,000 rpm. The codes associated with this incident are: p060b; p061b; p0122; p0155; p0222; p0316; p0480; p2104; p2110; p2122; p2127; p2132; p2135. *tr”2007 Ford Freestyle · Jan 2014 · 145,000 mi
Cars that report P0222 most often
Based on mentions of this code in NHTSA owner complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P0222?
Drive gently to a shop and stay off highways - throttle sensor faults can cut engine power without warning, and losing power mid-overtake or on a fast road is dangerous. Expect reduced power mode.
How much does it cost to fix P0222?
Typical US repair costs range from $80 for the simplest fix (connector or wiring repair) to $900 in the worst case. The right number depends on which cause your car has - see the causes list.
Related codes
The codes closest to P0222. They often appear together, and telling them apart is usually what narrows the diagnosis.
Definition per SAE J2012 standard nomenclature. Symptoms, causes and costs are editorial guidance - always confirm with a diagnosis of your specific vehicle.