P0222: The second throttle (or pedal) position sensor signal is reading lower than its circuit should ever allow, so the computer treats it as an open or shorted circuit

Throttle/pedal position sensor B circuit low

Severity: Inspect soon

The computer has lost one of its two throttle position signals, so it usually limits power to stay safe. KBB says driving isn't recommended; expect hesitation or limp mode and get it fixed promptly.

It gets more serious if:

Stop: Stop somewhere safe and have the car towed if the engine suddenly loses most of its power, drops to idle or stalls while you are moving. A loss of drive power in traffic increases the risk of a crash.

Source: how we rate severity

P0222 in short

P0222 means the second throttle position sensor signal (sensor B) is reading too low, which usually points to a broken or shorted wire, a bad connector, or a failing sensor in the throttle body. The engine often goes into reduced power. Get it diagnosed soon, and stop if power drops sharply.

Electronic throttles use two position sensors that must agree, so the computer can spot a fault. P0222 refers to sensor B; on most engines that is the second sensor inside the throttle body.

The code sets when that signal drops below a minimum voltage: Saab's service information uses 0.20 V for more than one second. That is almost always an open circuit, a short to ground, or a sensor that has failed.

Bulletins point to wiring: GM found the harness chafing on the back of the cylinder head, Mazda fixed electrical noise with a diode harness, and Jeep replaced throttle bodies that failed in cold climates.

Most likely causes

Cause 1: Broken, chafed or shorted sensor wiring or connector
Supported by vehicle data
Why it ranks here
Saab lists wiring and connector faults first, KBB lists corroded or loose wiring, and GM and Mazda bulletins trace P0222 to harness chafing and electrical noise.
What would change this
Likelier if the code comes and goes over bumps, or the harness rubs near the engine.
Cause 2: Failed throttle position sensor in the throttle body
Supported by vehicle data
Why it ranks here
KBB lists a faulty position sensor, and Jeep's cold-climate bulletin replaces the electronic throttle body.
What would change this
Likelier if the wiring tests good but the sensor B signal is still low.
How to test the electronic throttle body
Cause 3: Accelerator pedal position sensor (on systems where B is the pedal)
Possible — needs testing
Why it ranks here
KBB names the pedal sensor as a possible source because the SAE wording covers both throttle and pedal sensors.
What would change this
Likelier only if the service information for your engine assigns sensor B to the pedal.
How to test the accelerator pedal position sensor
Cause 4: Dirty throttle body
Possible — needs testing
Why it ranks here
KBB lists a dirty throttle body, but carbon alone rarely makes a sensor read low.
What would change this
Likelier if other throttle codes are stored too.
How to test the electronic throttle body

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

Step 1: Read all codes and watch both throttle position sensor values with the key on and engine off
Low riskTool: OBD-II scan tool
- IfSensor B reads near zero all the time
  It meansOpen or shorted circuit, or a dead sensor.
  Go to step 2
- IfSensor B drops out intermittently
  It meansLikely a wiring or connector fault.
  Go to step 2
- IfA wiring or throttle bulletin covers your vehicle
  It meansFollow the bulletin repair.
  Points to: Broken, chafed or shorted sensor wiring or connector
Step 2: Inspect the throttle body connector and harness for corrosion, pushed-back pins and chafing, while watching sensor B and wiggling the harness
Use cautionTool: Scan tool, flashlight
Warning:Keep fingers out of the throttle bore with the ignition on; the motor can snap the plate shut.
- IfDamage, corrosion or a reading that jumps when you move the harness
  It meansRepair the wiring.
  Points to: Broken, chafed or shorted sensor wiring or connector
- IfHarness looks fine
  It meansCheck sensor reference voltage, signal and ground at the connector.
  Go to step 3
Step 3: Back-probe the sensor connector and measure reference, signal and ground against the service manual
Best left to a shopTool: Digital multimeter
Warning:Back-probe gently and never short the reference pin to ground; doing so can damage the engine computer.
- IfReference and ground are good but the signal is low
  It meansReplace the throttle body (or pedal assembly, where that is sensor B).
  Points to: Failed throttle position sensor in the throttle body
- IfReference or ground missing
  It meansTrace the circuit back to the computer.
  Points to: Broken, chafed or shorted sensor wiring or connector

Symptoms

Check engine light, often with an electronic throttle or reduced-power light
Lack of power or hesitation
Hard starting
Sudden loss of power or stalling while driving Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

Compare with: Check engine light with loss of power

How to fix

Step 1: Ask a dealer to check your VIN for wiring or throttle bulletins; GM, Mazda and Jeep have published fixes for P0222.
Step 2: Have the throttle body connector and nearby harness inspected before replacing parts; wiring causes this code often.

Parts and cost context

Electronic throttle body:The sensor is usually built into the throttle body, so it is replaced as a unit and needs a throttle relearn. Labour varies; get a quote.

Labor varies by vehicle and shop; get a quote before you approve a repair.

Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuide

On your vehicle

Chevrolet

2010–2011 · Traverse
Supported by vehicle data
Engine harness chafing on the back of the bank 2 cylinder head can set P0222. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

PI-0220Status unverified
Engine harness chafing, P0222/P0122
2010–2011traverse · NHTSA 10036490
Throttle position codes including P0222 from engine harness chafing at the back of the bank 2 cylinder head. Also covers GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Jeep

2007–2009 · Grand Cherokee
Supported by vehicle data
Throttle body replacement for P0222/P0123 in cold climates; also the Dodge Nitro. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

18-013-09Status unverified
P0123/P0222 with ETC light in cold climates
2007–2009grand-cherokee, liberty · issued May 1, 2009 · NHTSA 10030707
In cold climates P0123 and/or P0222 can set with the ETC light; the electronic throttle body is replaced and the air duct cleaned. Also covers the Dodge Nitro.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Mazda

2011–2013 · Mazda6
Supported by vehicle data
Throttle body harness with a diode fixes P0222/P0123 from electrical noise. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

01-008-13Status unverified
P0123/P0222 from harness electrical noise
2011–2013mazda6, cx-9 · issued February 26, 2013 · NHTSA 10097313
P0123 (TP sensor No.1 high) and/or P0222 (TP sensor No.2 low) can set immediately because of abnormal electrical noise in the engine harness; a throttle body harness with a diode is installed.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Ford

2012–2014 · Focus
Supported by vehicle data
Rough running, no start or loss of power with several codes including P0222 on the 2.0L GDI. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

18-2062Status unverified
Rough running, no start or loss of power with multiple DTCs including P0222
2012–2014focus · issued February 20, 2018 · NHTSA 10136582
Some 2.0L GDI Focus models may run rough, not start or lose power with multiple DTCs, P0222 among them.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

All Electronic throttle and accelerator pedal codes

Sources and review

P0222 Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch B Circuit Low — Kelley Blue Book
Saab 9-3 (2008) ME9 DTC P0222 Throttle Position Sensor Circuit 2, Open/Short to Ground — Saab Automobile (WIS)
Electronic Throttle Control (Throttle-By-Wire) — AA1Car (Larry Carley)
NHTSA recall 26V081: Electronic throttle body gears may break (2024-2025 Nissan Rogue 1.5L VC-Turbo) — Nissan North America / NHTSA , February 12, 2026
GM PI-0220: MIL with P0122 and other DTCs from engine harness chafing (Acadia, Enclave, Traverse) — General Motors , March 21, 2011
Mazda 01-008-13: P0123/P0222 from electrical noise; throttle body harness with diode (Mazda6, CX-9) — Mazda North American Operations / NHTSA , February 26, 2013
Chrysler 18-013-09: P0123/P0222 with ETC light in cold climates (Grand Cherokee, Liberty, Nitro) — Chrysler Group / NHTSA , May 1, 2009
Ford TSB 18-2062: runs rough, no start or loss of power with multiple DTCs including P0222 (Focus 2.0L GDI) — Ford Motor Company / NHTSA , February 20, 2018

Last reviewed: October 15, 2026
Written by: Saurabh K.
Editorial review: Pending
Technician review: Technician review pending

This page explains what a code usually means; it is not a substitute for a professional inspection. How we source and review · Report an error

Severity: Inspect soon

Most likely causes

Cause 1: Broken, chafed or shorted sensor wiring or connector

Cause 2: Failed throttle position sensor in the throttle body

Cause 3: Accelerator pedal position sensor (on systems where B is the pedal)

Cause 4: Dirty throttle body

What to test first

Step 1: Read all codes and watch both throttle position sensor values with the key on and engine off

Step 2: Inspect the throttle body connector and harness for corrosion, pushed-back pins and chafing, while watching sensor B and wiggling the harness

Step 3: Back-probe the sensor connector and measure reference, signal and ground against the service manual

Symptoms

How to fix

Parts and cost context

On your vehicle

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JeepYour car

MazdaYour car

FordYour car

Related codes

Sources and review

Chevrolet

Jeep

Mazda

Ford