P2101: Throttle Actuator A Control Motor Circuit Range/Performance
A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.
Drive gently to a shop - reduced power mode is the normal response.
Symptoms
- Reduced power mode
- Throttle response gone or delayed
- High or hunting idle
- Engine stuck at fast idle
Likely causes, most common first
- Throttle body motor worn
- Carbon jamming the throttle plate
- Gear damage inside the throttle actuator
- Wiring fault to the motor
Read P2101 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
P2101 means the throttle plate did not move the way the computer commanded - it watched the position sensors while driving the motor and the plate lagged, stuck or overshot. Because an unresponsive throttle is a safety matter, the computer typically cuts to reduced power on the spot.
Mechanical resistance is the leading cause: carbon at the plate's edges acts like a doorstop, and the small electric motor cannot push through it. Cleaning helps if done correctly - which on most cars means not forcing the plate by hand (the gears object) and performing the relearn procedure afterward. If cleaning and relearn do not hold, the actuator's plastic gears or worn motor brushes are next, and those come only with a complete throttle body.
Repair options and cost
Typical US independent-shop ranges, parts and labor. Dealers run higher; regional labor rates vary.
Owner reports mentioning P2101
“Check engine light came on. I hooked it up to a machine and read a code P2101 which indicates. Throttle actuator controlled motor store current failure. I had told to Nissan they did an inspection came back that he cleaned the throttlebody charge me $1053 and sent me on my way and my check engine light keeps coming on and it’s a recall on this particular car with this particular problem, but my VIN number is not showing up.”2024 Nissan Rogue · Feb 2026
“VW Tiguan lost significant acceleration while driving on the highway. Vehicle check engine light came on. Felt like vehicle was going to stall and decelerated to a below highway required speed. Vehicle was inspected by a VW authorized service center and . Verified GFF found DTC's P0431, P04F0, P24D6, and P2101 were in fault mode. Significant oil leak also occurred. Failed component was crankcase pressure regulator and lower oil pan and gasket (due to increased pressure from failed PCV valve.) This was of great concern as the deceleration was significant while on the highway which could cause potential life threatening accidents.”2022 Volkswagen Tiguan · Apr 2025
“While driving 70+mph on an interstate, "reduced power mode" and "service active handling" warnings illuminated on the dic aong with the check engine light. The vehicle then completely shut off making it extremely dangerous to get safely out of the paths of other vehicles. This has happened to the vehicle about 8 times now in varying circumstances, mostly while in motion. Error codes taken from handheld programmer include: p1516, p2101, p2135”2005 Chevrolet Corvette · Jun 2018 · 36,000 mi
Show 7 more owner reports
“I had my battery check due to a battery recall from honda. After they fixed the issue. I experience a hard start and then after the car start. I see engine light turned on and other warning lights. Engine code p2101.”2015 Honda Accord · Jun 2018 · 35,000 mi
“The plastic casing on the shifter cable has broken and the sprag on the at transmission is bad.... Or so I have been told. It is in the driveway now with the abc, brake, traction control and esc lights lit as well as error codes p0449 & p2101. I have temp repaired the shifter cable and it will shift through the gears but will not go into gear. I was driving down I-635 when it stopped going into gear.”2009 Saturn Aura · Jun 2018 · 138,000 mi
“Takata recall. When driving the vehicle approximately 65 mph on the freeway, the vehicle slowed down significantly to about 30 mph and I could not accelerate. Soon after the check engine light came on. I took my car to autozone and did a system check, I received the error code p2101 detecting the throttle actuator control to be an issue. The next day, when my car was in park my rpms were up to 2,000. When beginning to drive, I would release the brake and without hitting the gas I would go upwards of 25 mph. The amount of time that I drive the vehicle does not matter and there is no in between, the car is either rearing to go or wants to come to a complete stop.”2015 Nissan Altima · Dec 2017 · 77,000 mi
“Engine light came on while driving and car started to slow down. It can't be throttled beyond 10-15 mph, so pulled over. Took it to closest auto parts shop and the code reader came up with p2101/p2135 indicating there is a potential problem with 'throttle' functionality. This problem was reported by gm eng. Team and there is a technical service bulletin with the same model but gm is not considering to fix the issue with my car as it is out of warranty. This is a serious safety concern and expect gm to help fixing it. It is same as NHTSA 10034366. *tr”2009 Chevrolet Aveo · Dec 2016 · 40,000 mi
“6/6/2015 car was sitting in parking lot. Upon trying to start the car errors for electronic stability control and reduced engine power showed up. Car was sputtering and running rough. Turned car off. Waited a little while and started car again and no error messages. But the check engine light came on. The error code that came up was p2101. 6/10/2015 same thing happened. Let the car sit for about an hour and tried to start again. Smelled heavily of gas when it started. Check engine light is on.”2011 Chevrolet Malibu · Jun 2015 · 77,600 mi
“Check engine light was on in morning when car was turned on, while going to work 20mph uphill my car started acting like I stopped pressing on the throttle pedal. I came to a stop on the hill placed car in park and restarted up hill. Car was noticeably trying to work 2x as hard. After work car was taken to a auto service center. The auto shop gave me these codes after the reading was completed; p2106, p2110, p2135, p2101. *tr”2008 Chevrolet Aveo · Jan 2015 · 64,242 mi
“Last winter I went germain honda of dublin and they said they couldn't find any thing. They said when the check engine light comes on t 8 b try ing it in and they said they will scan the light. When my checkengine light come on by the time I get to the dealers its not on. I had the battery replace back in january 2014. My car will be 5 years in august. Will this part throttle actuator control motor be cover under warranty? Here is the code I got from advance auto p2101 which is throttle actuator control motor. *tr”2009 Honda Fit · Jun 2014 · 3,100 mi
Cars that report P2101 most often
Based on mentions of this code in NHTSA owner complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P2101?
Drive gently to a shop - reduced power mode is the normal response.
How much does it cost to fix P2101?
Typical US repair costs range from $80 for the simplest fix (throttle body cleaning and relearn) 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 P2101. 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.