P2106: Throttle Actuator Control System - Forced Limited Power
A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.
Yes, gently, off the highway - but first have someone confirm your brake lights work. One frequent cause is the brake pedal switch, and driving with dead brake lights invites a rear-end hit.
Symptoms
- Reduced power warning
- Sluggish response above part throttle
- Companion codes stored
- Sometimes triggered by a fault outside the throttle system
Likely causes, most common first
- Fault detected in a related system the throttle logic depends on
- Brake pedal switch disagreement
- Accelerator pedal sensor fault
- Charging system voltage sagging under the electronics
Read P2106 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
P2106 is the milder sibling of P2104: the throttle system detected a problem and capped engine power rather than forcing idle. Like P2104 it is a consequence code - the cause lives in whatever else is stored with it.
Two underrated culprits deserve mention. The brake light switch feeds the throttle logic on many cars (the computer cross-checks brake and accelerator), and a cheap misadjusted switch can put a car into limited power with no obvious brake symptom at all. And low system voltage - a tired battery or failing alternator - makes throttle electronics misbehave in ways that look expensive until someone checks charging output. Both checks cost minutes and should come before any throttle parts.
Repair options and cost
Typical US independent-shop ranges, parts and labor. Dealers run higher; regional labor rates vary.
Owner reports mentioning P2106
“I keep getting error codes and check engine ligh I check with obd2 meter 3 different codes come up 3 times each. P0638, p2106, and and p2110. I clear them check engine light goes off and then randomly it happens again I'm not sure if this is a safety issue but I just want to be sure. It happens when I'm either going 25 or 55 and accelerating”2013 Kia Sorento · Feb 2019
“The car lost power suddenly after stopping for a traffic signal. Check engine light came on. Engine never stopped running but would not go faster than about 20mph. Transmission upshifted and down shifted. Orb error codes where p2110, p2106, and p161b. No other codes where stored. It has happened twice in 6 months. After restarting engine check engine light was not on and the car ran normally.”2007 Suzuki Forenza · Oct 2017 · 95,000 mi
“There have been 3 instances where after turning on my vehicle, the power is throttled and I can only drive a couple miles per hour. I ran a diagnostic scan, and obtained the codes p2106, p1295,and p2135. I searched online and found this to be a common problem. There appears to be a technical service bulletin out for this issue (tsb 09-fl003-2). If this is a common issue, should there be a recall? Thank you.”2008 Hyundai Santa FE · Jul 2017 · 100,000 mi
Show 7 more owner reports
“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
“Was sitting in car in a parking lot with ac running waiting for my wife. As I began to back up I put foot on brake to let car go by when the car began to surge and my foot was no where near gas pedal. Then the car shut off by itself and check engine light came on. Later we were waiting in a line at a drive-thru as we waited in line I had car in drive but foot on brake. Then the car lunged forward and I could have hit the car in front of me. The car died again. This happened another time. I took it to auto part store to diagnose check engine light. It gave me code p2106 and which is throttle actuator control system-forced limited power. *tr”2006 Ford Freestyle · Aug 2014 · 107,000 mi
“The vehicle shuts off while driving causing loss of power steering, power brakes with a complete loss of power. This is an ongoing problem and has happend during highway high speed driving. It happens on cars built 11/24/04 and prior. The codes are p2106 and p2135. It's caused by a faulty throttle position sensor and requires a powertrain control module reset b36.11, b37.2 or higher. This has been an ongoing problem thar ford readily ackowledges. They have ugraded the throttle position sensor twice without solving the problem.”2005 Ford Explorer · Aug 2013 · 124,000 mi
“While driving, the check engine and esc lights illuminated. Vehicle had sudden loss of acceleration and would not go beyond 40mph. Speed decreased below 40mph on hills. Vehicle continued to have problems even after restarting. A check of the odb-ii codes gave p2138, p2127 and p2106. All of the codes reflect a malfunction in the accelerator control system. Awaiting repairs by local kia dealer. *tr”2008 Kia Sorento · Aug 2012 · 27,534 mi
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sedona. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the vehicle stalled and the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact pulled the vehicle over and restarted it and the vehicle functioned properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated that a code read p2106 limited home mode and p0638 throttle actuator. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified and they stated that they would contact the dealer for further information. The failure mileage was 11,100.”2011 Kia Sedona · Aug 2012 · 11,100 mi
“When I shift from park to drive or reverse while applying the brakes the vehicle will lung forward. Recently check engine came on and had hard time stopping vehicle and stalled. Luckily did not hit anything or person. Took vehicle to ford dealer and they stated I had trouble codes: po61 and p2106. Ford stated that I needed a new throttle body. Replaced throttle body and seems to have stopped stalling and lunging. Also have issues with upper motor mount and ac. *tr”2005 Ford Freestyle · Jul 2012 · 143,865 mi
“Vehicle has been suffering from constant power loss with esc light illuminated. Now it suddenly accelerates with the light lightest touch on pedal, lurching as it accelerates. It happens especially often when engine is under stress, such as climbing up a hill. I was parking in garage when is rapidly accelerated and my side bumper in front grazed garage door sidewall. It has also happened in reverse with rear side bumper nicking same spot on garage. This vehicle is a safety nightmare. Fault codes p2135 and p2106 often appear. *tr”2006 Kia Sedona · Jun 2012 · 92,000 mi
Cars that report P2106 most often
Based on mentions of this code in NHTSA owner complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P2106?
Yes, gently, off the highway - but first have someone confirm your brake lights work. One frequent cause is the brake pedal switch, and driving with dead brake lights invites a rear-end hit.
How much does it cost to fix P2106?
Typical US repair costs range from $30 for the simplest fix (diagnosis of companion codes) to $450 in the worst case. The right number depends on which cause your car has - see the causes list.
Related codes
The codes closest to P2106. 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.