P0751: Shift solenoid A performance or stuck off

Shift solenoid A stuck off

Severity: Inspect soon

Toyota tells owners to have the car inspected right away when the check engine light comes on for the automatic transmission, and Kelley Blue Book does not recommend driving with P0751 because shifting can be erratic.

It gets more serious if:

Not verified: The transmission goes into limp-home mode (stuck in one gear, little power) or the vehicle will not move. Regulations require the light in limp-home mode, but we found no source saying whether you must stop

Source: how we rate severity

P0751 in short

P0751 means the transmission computer commanded shift solenoid A on but did not see the expected gear change, so the solenoid seems stuck off or slow. Low or dirty fluid, the solenoid, wiring and internal clutch damage are common causes. Have it inspected soon; stop driving if the transmission loses drive.

The computer watches gear ratios and pressures after it switches each shift solenoid. P0751 sets when solenoid A is commanded but the transmission does not respond as expected, so the solenoid is judged stuck off or out of range.

Because the test is based on how the transmission responds, P0751 can also set when something downstream is wrong, such as a damaged clutch. Toyota links it to C1 clutch damage on some Tundras, and Ford and Subaru list it in bulletins about harsh shifts and valve body contamination.

Most likely causes

Cause 1: Low or dirty transmission fluid or a clogged filter
Common general cause
Why it ranks here
Fluid problems are the first cause listed by code references.
What would change this
Rises if the fluid is low, dark or burnt.
Cause 2: Shift solenoid A or valve body sticking or contaminated
Common general cause
Why it ranks here
The solenoid is listed as a cause, and Subaru links P0751 to valve body contamination on some models.
What would change this
Rises if the solenoid does not respond when commanded.
Cause 3: Solenoid wiring or connector fault
Common general cause
Why it ranks here
Wiring is a listed cause.
What would change this
Rises if the connector or harness is damaged.
Cause 4: Internal clutch damage (some Toyota Tundra/Sequoia and Ford models)
Supported by vehicle data
Why it ranks here
Toyota links P0751 and slipping to C1 clutch damage on 2007–2009 Tundra and Sequoia, and Ford dealers paired P0751 with clutch fault codes before replacing transmissions.
What would change this
Rises if P2714 or P2700 is also stored, or the transmission slips.

What to test first

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

Step 1: Read codes from the engine and transmission modules with a scan tool that supports both, before anything is cleared.
Low riskTool: scan tool that reads the transmission module
- IfP2714, P2700 or other clutch or ratio codes are also stored
  It meansInternal damage is more likely than a solenoid fault.
  Points to: Internal clutch damage (some Toyota Tundra/Sequoia and Ford models)
- IfP0751 alone
  It meansLook for a bulletin, then check the fluid.
  Go to step 2
Step 2: Check for a P0751 bulletin for your VIN at a dealer or on the NHTSA site.
Low risk
- IfA 2007–2009 Toyota Tundra or 2008–2009 Sequoia that slips
  It meansToyota has a bulletin for C1 clutch damage.
  Points to: Internal clutch damage (some Toyota Tundra/Sequoia and Ford models)
- IfA 2010–2013 Subaru Legacy, Outback or Tribeca with the AT oil temp light flashing
  It meansSubaru points to valve body contamination.
  Points to: Shift solenoid A or valve body sticking or contaminated
- IfNo bulletin applies
  It meansA shop needs to test the solenoid and fluid.
  Go to step 3
Step 3: Have a shop check the fluid and command solenoid A with a scan tool while watching gear ratio data.
Best left to a shopTool: scan tool with transmission data and output controls
Warning:Shop test. It needs the maker's wiring diagram, pressure specs and test procedure.
- IfThe fluid is low or burnt
  It meansFix the fluid problem and recheck.
  Points to: Low or dirty transmission fluid or a clogged filter
- IfThe circuit is open or shorted
  It meansRepair the wiring.
  Points to: Solenoid wiring or connector fault
- IfThe solenoid works but the ratio or pressure is wrong
  It meansLook inside the transmission at the valve body and clutches.
  Points to: Shift solenoid A or valve body sticking or contaminated

Symptoms

Check engine light
Harsh, late or missed shifts
Slipping
Stuck in one gear or limp-home mode Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

How to fix

Step 1: Do not clear the code before the transmission module has been read; the stored data helps the shop.
Step 2: Check the transmission fluid level and condition if your transmission has a dipstick or the owner's manual describes a check, and look for leaks under the car.
Step 3: Ask a dealer whether your VIN has an open P0751 bulletin or software update.

On your vehicle

Toyota

2007–2009 · Tundra
Supported by vehicle data
Toyota T-SB-0170-09 covers slipping with P0751 and P2714 from C1 clutch damage (also 2008–2009 Sequoia). The bulletin is on NHTSA, but whether it is still current is not verified, so it is labelled vehicle data rather than confirmed.

T-SB-0170-09Status unverified
Slipping or harsh shifts with P2714, P0751 and other codes
2007–2009tundra, sequoia · issued June 4, 2009 · NHTSA 10032522
Damage to the C1 clutch. Sequoia years are 2008–2009. Only the NHTSA flat-file summary was read, not the bulletin itself.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Subaru

2010–2013 · Outback
Supported by vehicle data
Subaru 16-80-11R covers a flashing AT oil temp light with P0751 from valve body contamination (also Legacy and Tribeca). The bulletin is on NHTSA, but whether it is still current is not verified, so it is labelled vehicle data rather than confirmed.

16-80-11RStatus unverified
AT oil temperature lamp flashing with P0751 and other solenoid codes
2010–2013legacy, outback, tribeca · issued February 1, 2013 · NHTSA 10067834
May be valve body contamination, possibly with intermittent stalling. Only the NHTSA flat-file summary was read, not the bulletin itself.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Ford

Supported by vehicle data
Ford TSB160057 (TorqShift Super Duty and E-Series, 2009–2016) and TSB 23-2123 (10R80, 2017–2023) both list P0751. The bulletin is on NHTSA, but whether it is still current is not verified, so it is labelled vehicle data rather than confirmed.

TSB160057Status unverified
TorqShift MIL with P0751, P0730 and/or P2700
2009–2016f-250, f-350, e-350 · issued December 15, 2015 · NHTSA 10205022
Covers Super Duty trucks and E-Series vans with the TorqShift transmission. Only the NHTSA flat-file summary was read, not the bulletin itself.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
TSB 23-2123Status unverified
10R80 harsh engagement, harsh or delayed shift
2017–2023f-150, expedition, mustang, ranger · issued April 14, 2023 · NHTSA 10234596
May have the MIL with P0751, P0752 and other shift codes. Only the NHTSA flat-file summary was read, not the bulletin itself.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

All Transmission codes

Sources and review

Toyota Camry Owner's Manual (OM06291U) — Toyota
P0751 OBD-II Trouble Code: Shift Solenoid A Performance/Stuck Off — Kelley Blue Book
Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 13, § 1968.2 — Malfunction and Diagnostic System Requirements (OBD II) — California Air Resources Board (via Cornell LII)
NHTSA complaint 10950206: 2007 Toyota Tundra, P0751 — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Subaru 16-80-11R: AT oil temperature lamp flashing with solenoid DTCs — Subaru of America , February 1, 2013
Toyota T-SB-0170-09: Tundra/Sequoia slipping with shift DTCs — Toyota Motor North America , June 4, 2009
NHTSA complaint 11694940: 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, P0751 — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Ford TSB 23-2123: 10R80 harsh or delayed engagement and shifts — Ford Motor Company , April 14, 2023
GM 07-07-30-025: 4T40-E/4T45-E valve body reconditioning — General Motors LLC , October 1, 2007
Ford TSB160057: TorqShift MIL with P0751, P0730 and/or P2700 — Ford Motor Company , December 15, 2015

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: Low or dirty transmission fluid or a clogged filter

Cause 2: Shift solenoid A or valve body sticking or contaminated

Cause 3: Solenoid wiring or connector fault

Cause 4: Internal clutch damage (some Toyota Tundra/Sequoia and Ford models)

What to test first

Step 1: Read codes from the engine and transmission modules with a scan tool that supports both, before anything is cleared.

Step 2: Check for a P0751 bulletin for your VIN at a dealer or on the NHTSA site.

Step 3: Have a shop check the fluid and command solenoid A with a scan tool while watching gear ratio data.

Symptoms

How to fix

On your vehicle

ToyotaYour car

SubaruYour car

FordYour car

Related codes

Sources and review

Toyota

Subaru

Ford