P2164 — Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor "B" Maximum Stop Performance

powertrain (engine/transmission)

Is it safe to drive?

Drive with caution Drive with caution. Many throttle faults put the car into limp mode with limited power — enough to reach a shop, not for highway trips. If the engine stalls or the pedal stops responding, do not drive.

How to diagnose with an OBD scanner

  1. Read the code and freeze frame Connect an OBD2 scanner, confirm P2164 is stored, and save the freeze frame data — it shows engine conditions when the fault was detected.
  2. Check for companion codes and TSBs Related codes often reveal the real root cause. Also check manufacturer technical service bulletins (TSB) for your make and model — many P0xxx issues have factory fixes or software updates. Search by VIN on the manufacturer site or nhtsa.gov.
  3. Inspect wiring and connectors Visually inspect the wiring harness and connectors related to the throttle and intake air metering for damage, corrosion, chafing or poor contact.
  4. Subsystem check Inspect and clean the throttle body; check that the plate moves freely.
  5. Subsystem check Watch throttle position and MAF/MAP readings in live data while pressing the pedal — values should change smoothly.
  6. Verify the repair Clear the code, complete a full drive cycle including the conditions from the freeze frame, and confirm P2164 does not return.

Approximate repair cost

Repair cost depends on which component actually failed. Typical scenarios for P2164 (parts and labor, USD, independent shop rates): Replace the throttle body assembly: $250–$700; Replace the MAF or MAP sensor: $150–$400; Clean the throttle body: $80–$200. Overall, fixing P2164 usually costs between $80 and $700. An accurate diagnosis before buying parts saves money — the most expensive scenario is rarely the first one to check.

Common questions

Is it safe to drive with P2164?

Drive with caution. Many throttle faults put the car into limp mode with limited power — enough to reach a shop, not for highway trips. If the engine stalls or the pedal stops responding, do not drive.

Will P2164 clear itself?

Sometimes P2164 clears after a few drive cycles if the fault was intermittent — for example a loose connector or a tank of bad fuel. The underlying cause usually remains, so the code tends to return. Clear it once; if it comes back, diagnose rather than erase it repeatedly.

What are the symptoms of P2164?

Drivers most often notice: limp-home mode with reduced power, stalling when coming to a stop, Check Engine Light on, poor throttle response.

What is the most common cause of P2164?

The most common causes are: failed electronic throttle motor, contaminated or failed MAF/MAP sensor, intake air leaks after the MAF sensor.

How much does it cost to fix P2164?

Replace the throttle body assembly — $250–$700; Replace the MAF or MAP sensor — $150–$400; Clean the throttle body — $80–$200. Exact cost depends on the root cause, your vehicle and local labor rates — a proper diagnosis is the cheapest first step.

What does P2164 mean?

P2164 (Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor "B" Maximum Stop Performance) is stored when self-diagnostics detect abnormal readings or behaviour of the throttle and intake air metering. It belongs to the powertrain (engine/transmission) category.

To set P2164, the control module compares live readings of the throttle and intake air metering against calibrated limits, usually over several drive cycles. Alongside the code it stores a freeze frame — a snapshot of rpm, load, coolant temperature and vehicle speed at the moment of failure. Reading that snapshot first saves diagnostic time.

What causes P2164?

  • failed electronic throttle motor
  • dirty throttle body or stuck throttle plate
  • faulty throttle position sensor or pedal sensor
  • wiring or connector faults in the throttle circuit
  • contaminated or failed MAF/MAP sensor

Common symptoms of P2164

  • limp-home mode with reduced power
  • stalling when coming to a stop
  • Check Engine Light on
  • poor throttle response
  • unstable or high idle

How to diagnose P2164

  1. Connect an OBD2 scanner, confirm P2164 is stored, and save the freeze frame data — it shows engine conditions when the fault was detected.
  2. Related codes often reveal the real root cause. Also check manufacturer technical service bulletins (TSB) for your make and model — many P0xxx issues have factory fixes or software updates. Search by VIN on the manufacturer site or nhtsa.gov.
  3. Visually inspect the wiring harness and connectors related to the throttle and intake air metering for damage, corrosion, chafing or poor contact.
  4. Inspect and clean the throttle body; check that the plate moves freely.
  5. Watch throttle position and MAF/MAP readings in live data while pressing the pedal — values should change smoothly.
  6. Clear the code, complete a full drive cycle including the conditions from the freeze frame, and confirm P2164 does not return.

How to fix P2164

Start with the cheapest and most common causes before replacing expensive parts:

  • Replace the throttle body assembly — $250–$700
  • Replace the MAF or MAP sensor — $150–$400
  • Clean the throttle body — $80–$200

How much does it cost to fix P2164?

Repair cost depends on which component actually failed. Typical scenarios for P2164 (parts and labor, USD, independent shop rates):

  • Replace the throttle body assembly: $250–$700
  • Replace the MAF or MAP sensor: $150–$400
  • Clean the throttle body: $80–$200

Overall, fixing P2164 usually costs between $80 and $700. An accurate diagnosis before buying parts saves money — the most expensive scenario is rarely the first one to check.

Can you drive with P2164?

Drive with caution. Many throttle faults put the car into limp mode with limited power — enough to reach a shop, not for highway trips. If the engine stalls or the pedal stops responding, do not drive.

Related OBD2 codes