P032F The engine is producing less torque than the computer expects

Combustion engine producing insufficient torque

Severity not verified — if the car runs badly, have it inspected

The bulletins and owner reports link this code to engine stalls and, on the Ford hybrid, an internal engine failure, but no source rates it. Treat a stall or loss of power as a stop-driving event.

It gets more serious if:

  • Stop: The engine stalls, loses power, or a Stop Safely or powertrain warning appears while driving. Pull over where it is safe and have the vehicle towed to a shop.

Source: how we rate severity

P032F in short

P032F means the engine control computer sees less torque coming from the engine than it expects. Jeep says a stall has occurred when it is stored, and Ford ties it to a faulty connecting rod bearing on its 2.5L hybrid. If the engine stalls or loses power, stop driving and have it towed.

The computer compares the torque the engine should be making with what it actually measures. If the real number stays below the expected number, it sets P032F. That can happen when the engine is mechanically damaged, when combustion is not happening, or when the software misjudges a stall.

The same code has different causes on different vehicles. On the Ford 2.5L hybrid engine, Ford says P032F with P1061 may come from a faulty connecting rod bearing, and a dealer in one owner complaint replaced the engine long block. On the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep treats a stored P032F as a sign the engine stalled and issued software updates.

Because a stall in traffic is the main risk named in the sources, the safest reading is to avoid driving if the engine has stalled, until a shop has checked it.

Most likely causes

  1. Faulty connecting rod bearing (Ford 2.5L hybrid engines)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Ford program 23N06 says P1061 and/or P032F after recall 23S27 may be due to a faulty connecting rod bearing the PCM detected, and replaces the engine long block. A dealer scan quoted in one complaint shows the same code with an internal engine failure.
    What would change this
    Rises on a 2020-2022 Escape, 2021-2022 Corsair or 2022-2023 Maverick with the 2.5L hybrid that also stores P1061. Falls on any other engine.

  2. Engine or transmission computer software (2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    FCA has a PCM update (18-062-21) and a TCM update (21-027-21) for a P032F with the light on on 2021 Grand Cherokee, and a bulletin that says a stored P032F means a stall happened. The summaries read are unverified and do not give the fault behind the update.
    What would change this
    Rises if a dealer finds an open update for your VIN. Falls if the software is current and the code returns.
    How to test the engine control module (ecm / pcm)

  3. Weak 12-volt battery or low system voltage

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    A dealer told one 2023 Ram owner the battery was failing after retrieving P032F but could not duplicate the fault. This is one unconfirmed report.
    What would change this
    Rises if the battery tests weak or low-voltage codes are stored too. Falls if the battery and charging system test normal.
    How to test the underhood fuse block (engine compartment fuse box)

  4. Cylinder deactivation or air leak fault stored with the code (2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee)

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    One owner says P032F was stored with P1414 (cylinder 4 reactivation control) and P2172 (high airflow or vacuum leak) after the engine shut off. This is one unconfirmed report.
    What would change this
    Rises if P1414 or P2172 are stored with it. Falls if P032F is the only code.

What to test first

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

  1. Read all stored codes. Note whether P1061, P1414, P2172 or low-voltage codes are stored with P032F, and ask when the engine stalled or lost power.

    Low riskTool: OBD-II scan tool

    • IfP1061 is stored on a Ford with the 2.5L hybrid engine

      It meansFord program 23N06 applies; a dealer has to inspect for a bearing fault.

      Go to step 2

    • IfIt is a Jeep Grand Cherokee or other Stellantis vehicle

      It meansCheck for open software updates.

      Go to step 2

    • IfLow-voltage codes or a weak battery are present

      It meansTest the battery and charging system.

      Go to step 3

  2. Ask a dealer whether Ford CSP 23N06 or a Stellantis software update (18-062-21, 21-027-21, 18-020-25) applies to your VIN.

    Low risk

  3. Have the 12-volt battery and charging system load-tested.

    Low riskTool: battery tester

  4. Have a shop inspect the engine for mechanical damage and a loss of combustion, and read engine data around the event.

    Best left to a shopTool: scan tool with live data, shop inspection

    Warning:Engine internals, fuel and oil systems, and on hybrids the high-voltage system are involved. A stalling engine can be unsafe on the road. Leave it to a shop.

Symptoms

  • Check engine light on
  • Engine stalls or shuts off, often at low speed or pulling away Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
  • Sudden loss of power at speed, with a powertrain or Stop Safely warning Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
  • Shift quality complaint on a 5-4 downshift (2021 Grand Cherokee)

Compare with: Check engine light with loss of power

How to fix

Parts and cost context

  • Engine control module (ECM / PCM):Stellantis has software updates for P032F on the 2021 Grand Cherokee; software is not a parts replacement. Ford replaces the engine long block under program 23N06. Labor 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

Jeep

  • 2021–2022 · Grand Cherokee

    Supported by vehicle data

    FCA has PCM and TCM updates for P032F, and a bulletin saying a stored P032F means a stall happened. A 2022 owner also saw P1414 and P2172 with it.

  • 21-027-21Status unverified

    Flash TCM updates, P032F

    2021grand-cherokee · issued · NHTSA 10204376

    Reprogram the transmission control module when the MIL is on with P032F and a 5-4 downshift complaint. Only the NHTSA summary was read.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 18-062-21Status unverified

    Flash PCM updates, P032F

    2021grand-cherokee · issued · NHTSA 10204377

    Reprogram the powertrain control module when the MIL is on with P032F. Only the NHTSA summary was read.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • S2118000010Status unverified

    Engine stalled with MIL on, P032F stored

    2021grand-cherokee · issued · NHTSA 10221617

    If P032F is stored, a stall has occurred. Only the NHTSA summary was read.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Ford

  • 2020–2022 · Escape · 2.5L HEV/PHEV

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ford program 23N06 ties P1061 and/or P032F to a faulty connecting rod bearing on the 2.5L hybrid engine and replaces the long block. A dealer scan in one complaint shows P032F with an internal engine failure.

  • 2022–2023 · Maverick · 2.5L HEV/PHEV

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ford program 23N06 covers P1061 and/or P032F on the Maverick hybrid engine.

  • 23N06 (ford)Status unverified

    2.5L HEV/PHEV engine long block replacement, P1061 and/or P032F

    2020–2023escape, maverick · issued · NHTSA 11002806

    After recall 23S27, a faulty connecting rod bearing may be detected by the PCM; the program replaces the engine long block. Only the NHTSA summary was read.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Lincoln

  • 2021–2022 · Corsair · 2.5L HEV/PHEV

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ford program 23N06 covers P1061 and/or P032F on the Corsair hybrid engine.

  • 23N06 (lincoln)Status unverified

    2.5L HEV/PHEV engine long block replacement, P1061 and/or P032F

    2021–2022corsair · issued · NHTSA 11002806

    After recall 23S27, a faulty connecting rod bearing may be detected by the PCM; the program replaces the engine long block. Only the NHTSA summary was read.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Ram

  • 18-020-25Status unverified

    PCM updates including P032F stall-detection change

    20252500 · issued · NHTSA 11017152

    PCM update includes stall detection so P032F can clear after a power cycle. Only the NHTSA summary was read; 18-021-25 covers Ram 3500.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • P1061Jeep: cylinder 1 oil supply solenoid valve stuck

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    Ford program 23N06 covers P1061 and/or P032F together for a faulty connecting rod bearing on the 2.5L hybrid engine. Jeep uses P1061 for a different meaning.

  • P2172The engine computer has seen a sudden jump in airflow that the throttle position can't account for, which usually means air is leaking in somewhere

    Shares causes Possible — needs testing

    One Jeep owner reports P2172 (high airflow or vacuum leak) and P1414 stored with P032F after the engine shut off.

All Engine computer (ECM/PCM) codes

P032F questions

Is it safe to keep driving with P032F?

Not if the engine has stalled or lost power. Jeep says a stored P032F means a stall occurred, and one Ford owner lost all power at 60 mph. Have it checked before you drive.

Sources and review

  1. FCA S2118000010: engine stalled / MIL on, P032F stored — FCA US / NHTSA ,
  2. Ford CSP 23N06: 2.5L HEV/PHEV engine long block replacement, P1061 and/or P032F — Ford Motor Company / NHTSA ,
  3. NHTSA complaint ODI 2199676: 2022 Ford Escape, P032F Combustion Engine Producing Insufficient Torque — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (complaint flat file) ,
  4. NHTSA complaint ODI 2032148: 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, P032F with P1414 and P2172, engine shut off — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (complaint flat file) ,
  5. FCA 21-027-21 Rev. A: Flash TCM updates, P032F — FCA US / NHTSA ,
  6. NHTSA complaint ODI 2156394: 2023 Ram, P032F retrieved, dealer pointed at a failing battery — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (complaint flat file)
  7. FCA 18-020-25: PCM updates (Ram 2500/3500), including P032F stall-detection change — FCA US / NHTSA ,
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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