P0868: Transmission Fluid Pressure Low
A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.
No more than needed to reach a shop - low line pressure under-feeds every clutch at once, and slipping clutches destroy themselves in miles, not weeks.
Symptoms
- Slipping in multiple gears
- Delayed engagement shifting into Drive or Reverse
- Whining pump noise on some units
- Overheating warnings on hard use
Likely causes, most common first
- Low fluid from a leak
- Clogged filter starving the pump
- Worn transmission pump
- Internal pressure leak past seals or the valve body
Read P0868 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
P0868 reports low transmission fluid pressure - the master symptom, because line pressure is what applies every clutch and band in the box. Everything the transmission does depends on it, which is why the complaint list for this code reads like a general breakdown: slip everywhere, delay everywhere, heat everywhere.
The triage order matters and starts embarrassingly simple: fluid level. A slow leak that finally dropped the level below the pickup produces exactly this picture, and finding red drips on the driveway is cheaper than any teardown. Level good, the filter and pump come under suspicion - a collapsing filter starves the pump intermittently, a worn pump cannot make pressure hot when clearances open up. The telltale for pump wear is a transmission that behaves cold and degrades as it warms. At that point you want a specialist with a pressure gauge, because the gauge separates a serviceable cause from an overhaul in one road test.
Repair options and cost
Typical US independent-shop ranges, parts and labor. Dealers run higher; regional labor rates vary.
Owner reports mentioning P0868
“CVT Transmission slip and judder. Upon full stop, only drives after turning ignition off and on again. Getting stuck at traffic light stop and holding up the traffic for 30 seconds every stop is a safety concern for myself and others. P0868 - FLUID PRESS LOW P0965 - PC SOLENOID B P17F0 - CVT JUDDER (T/M INSPECTION) Vehicle has been inspected and diagnosed by Nissan dealership. There has been no warning lamps to warn of the issue, other than check engine light.”2014 Nissan Versa Note · Feb 2025
“CVT Transmission cause car to lose power and driving pressure engine codes of P0846 & P0868 transmission fluid pressure & Low pressure to transmission”2019 Nissan Sentra · Jan 2024
“P0868 low pressure. current Recall needs expanded years. 2014 manufactured date is effected as well. Many things already replaced leading back to faulty pump. Viscous coupler also malfunctions in these at low milage. Flex plate fractures.”2015 Dodge Journey · Aug 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“Hi my Nissan has 120k miles son it and the transmission is completely wrong don't go more than 30 mph I take it to the shop to inspect and they told me that it need to be replace. It has code p1778 and code p0868 they told me that the transmission has no oil presure that it was a mechanical problem inside the transmission and that it was really common on that car becouse the cvt transmission”2011 Nissan Altima · Dec 2022
“The problem component is the transmission fluid pump. The issue first started while driving. the transmission started making a grinding noise. the fault code for this was P0868. Our vehicle was towed to a dodge dealership for inspection and repairs. Estimated cost is $1576.84. I have researched this issue and feel this should be considered a recall. Owners should be covered for these repairs.”2015 Dodge Journey · Dec 2021
“Got car on June 15 after 3:30. Five hours later the car would not reverse or drive forward. Sound like gears would not shift. And the car was also dropped of to me with no antifreeze. I found codes: P1700, P0868, P1778, P0746 and Top Motors who I bought the car from towed the car to fix it but has not told me what was wrong with the car. I have not heard from them and I missed one and a half day of work. They gave me a 6 month warranty but it should have been 2 year warranty. They said it will take at least a week to get it back to me. I have been without my car for 5 days. The car was on Carfax website. I would like a 2 year Warranty and half of the money back of what I paid for the car.”2009 Nissan Murano · Jun 2021
“2016 dodge grand caravan, purchased in 2017. Driving on freeway near ohare airport, vehicle didn't want to shift. Would rev as high as 5k rpm just to reach 45mph. Vehicle doesn't want to go into reverse. There was a recall for some of these vans. There needs to be another recall. My vehicle has 121,000 miles on it. I believe the pump has failed, the code is p0868”2016 Dodge Grand Caravan · Jul 2020 · 121,000 mi
“I was driving on the highway and with no warning the vehicle lost pressure when pressing on the gas peddle to drive to maintain speed limit when driving the car. The transmission fluid was checked and there was the recommended level of transmission fluid. Mechanic stated error code p0868. Per mechanic/transmission specialist this is a known problem with mitsubishi transmissions and they are only able to get the transmission from a dealer. Please note that his has occurred to other 2014 mitsubishi outlanders with 50,000 or less that were purchased at the lancaster mitsubishi in lancaster, pa.”2014 Mitsubishi Outlander · Apr 2020 · 170,000 mi
“I have had a check engine light with code p0868 for low transmission fluid pressure 3 times while pulling a travel trailer and once just driving without pulling anything in the last 3 months. Dealer has told me they dont know why the light keeps going off.”2017 Ram 2500 · Jan 2020 · 55,035 mi
“The transmission is giving a low pressure code p0868 in line with other recalls of this make and model. I am having to take the transmission into the dealer for service. The problems where notice in november of 2018 while the car was in motion.”2015 Chrysler Town And Country · Nov 2018 · 60,880 mi
Cars that report P0868 most often
Based on mentions of this code in NHTSA owner complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P0868?
No more than needed to reach a shop - low line pressure under-feeds every clutch at once, and slipping clutches destroy themselves in miles, not weeks.
How much does it cost to fix P0868?
Typical US repair costs range from $150 for the simplest fix (fluid top-up and leak repair) to $3,500 in the worst case. The right number depends on which cause your car has - see the causes list.
Related codes
The codes closest to P0868. 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.