P2110 The engine computer has deliberately limited engine speed because of a fault it found in the electronic throttle system

Throttle actuator control: forced limited RPM

P2110 in short

P2110 means the engine computer has forced a limited-RPM mode because something in the electronic throttle system failed a check. It is a symptom code, so the real cause is usually shown by other codes: a frozen or dirty throttle, low system voltage, sensor faults or software. Drive gently to a shop; stop if power drops away.

On an electronic throttle the computer watches the pedal sensors, throttle position sensors and throttle motor. If one of those checks fails, it switches to a fail-safe that limits engine speed, and many cars store P2110 to record that it did so.

That makes P2110 a result rather than a root cause. KBB lists overheating, airflow sensor faults, transmission faults, abnormal system voltage and ABS or traction faults as triggers; bulletins add ice on the throttle plate and software.

Because engine speed is capped, the car may barely accelerate, idle roughly or stall. Read every other stored code: they normally tell you which input the computer stopped trusting.

Most likely causes

  1. Throttle body frozen shut or iced in cold, humid weather

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    GM (Aveo) and Ram bulletins tie P2110 to a throttle frozen shut in extreme cold, fixed with PCV changes and software.
    What would change this
    Likelier if it only happens on cold mornings below freezing.
    How to test the electronic throttle body

  2. Faulty or dirty throttle body or its sensors

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    Throttle and pedal sensor faults are the usual reason the computer forces a limited-RPM mode.
    What would change this
    Likelier if throttle or pedal sensor codes are stored with P2110.
    How to test the electronic throttle body

  3. Engine computer software needing an update

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Hyundai issued ECM software for P2110 on the 3.5L Santa Fe, and GM reprograms the Aveo with its PCV fix.
    What would change this
    Likelier on a model with a software bulletin.
    How to test the engine control module (ecm / pcm)

  4. Low system voltage or poor connections

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    KBB lists abnormal system voltage and corroded connectors, and GM's Aveo bulletin warns a low-voltage condition may be present.
    What would change this
    Likelier if the battery is weak or charging voltage is low.

  5. Overheating, airflow, transmission or traction-control faults

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    KBB lists these as conditions that can make the computer limit engine speed.
    What would change this
    Likelier if codes from those systems are stored too.

What to test first

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

  1. Read every stored code, not just P2110, and look at freeze-frame temperature, voltage and engine speed

    Low riskTool: OBD-II scan tool

  2. Test the battery and charging voltage, and check battery and ground connections for corrosion

    Low riskTool: Digital multimeter

Symptoms

  • Check engine light, often with a throttle or wrench warning
  • Engine won't rev or accelerate normally (limp mode) Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
  • Rough idle
  • Stalling Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

Compare with: Check engine light with loss of power

How to fix

  1. Ask a dealer to check your VIN for software or throttle bulletins; GM, Hyundai, Ford, Mazda and Ram have published repairs that include P2110.

  2. Clean and tighten corroded battery terminals and ground connections, and have the battery tested if it's weak.

Parts and cost context

  • Electronic throttle body:Don't replace the throttle body on P2110 alone; the other stored codes and any bulletin for your model decide what's needed. 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

  • 2006–2008 · Aveo

    Supported by vehicle data

    Throttle frozen shut in extreme cold and humidity with P2110; GM adds a PCV kit and reprograms the ECM. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

  • 08-06-04-004Status unverified

    Throttle body frozen shut in extreme cold, P1516/P2106/P2110

    2006–2008aveo · issued · NHTSA 10032854

    Poor acceleration and throttle body frozen shut in extremely low temperatures with high humidity, with DTCs P1516, P2106 and/or P2110; install a PCV valve kit and reprogram the ECM.

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

Hyundai

  • 2010–2012 · Santa Fe

    Supported by vehicle data

    ECM software update for P2110 on the 3.5L engine. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

  • 14-01-054Status unverified

    ECM software for P0638, P2106 and P2110 (3.5L)

    2010–2012santa-fe · issued · NHTSA 10057210

    ECM software is required for 3.5L Santa Fe vehicles with P0638, P2106 and P2110.

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

Ford

  • 2006–2007 · Fusion

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ford bulletin for P2100 with P2110 on the 3.0L. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

  • 07-23-15Status unverified

    MIL with P2100 and P2110, 3.0L

    2006–2007fusion · issued · NHTSA 10023866

    MIL on with P2100 and P2110 in memory on the 3.0L engine. Also covers Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr.

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

Ram

  • 2013–2023 · 1500

    Supported by vehicle data

    Throttle blade icing can set P2110 in freezing weather. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

  • 09-023-23Status unverified

    Throttle blade icing, P2072/P2110/P2118

    2013–20231500 · issued · NHTSA 10248951

    MIL with P2072, P2110 and/or P2118 from throttle blade icing; possible no-start below about -20 F; the PCV valve and hose are dried out and serviced.

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

  • P2106The engine computer has limited engine power as a fail-safe because of a throttle control fault

    Primary / secondary Supported by vehicle data

    Likely primary: P2106. P2106 records a forced limited-power fail-safe; GM and Hyundai bulletins list both together.

  • P2101The engine computer sees a problem in the throttle actuator motor circuit or the motor's response, so actual throttle position doesn't match what was commanded

    Same system Common general cause

    P2101 is a throttle motor circuit fault that can trigger the limited-RPM mode.

  • P2104The engine computer has forced the engine to idle as a fail-safe because of a throttle control fault

    Same system Common general cause

    P2104 is the forced-idle fail-safe, a related fail-safe in the same throttle system.

All Electronic throttle and accelerator pedal codes

P2110 questions

Can I keep driving with this code?

Only gently and to a shop. The engine computer may limit power at any moment, so avoid motorways and heavy traffic until it is fixed. If the engine drops to idle, stalls or won't respond to the pedal, pull over safely and have it towed.

Why does P2110 come with other codes?

P2110 only records that the computer limited engine speed. The other codes show why, such as a pedal or throttle sensor fault, low voltage or ice in the throttle, so fix those first.

Sources and review

  1. P2110 Throttle Actuator Control System - Forced Limited RPM — Kelley Blue Book
  2. Electronic Throttle Control (Throttle-By-Wire) — AA1Car (Larry Carley)
  3. NHTSA recall 26V081: Electronic throttle body gears may break (2024-2025 Nissan Rogue 1.5L VC-Turbo) — Nissan North America / NHTSA ,
  4. GM 08-06-04-004: throttle body frozen shut, P1516/P2106/P2110 in extreme cold and humidity (Aveo) — General Motors ,
  5. Ram 09-023-23: throttle blade icing service fix, P2072/P2110/P2118 — FCA US ,
  6. Hyundai 14-01-054: ECM software for P0638/P2106/P2110 (Santa Fe 3.5L) — Hyundai ,
  7. Ford 07-23-15: MIL with P2100 and P2110, 3.0L (Fusion, Milan, Zephyr) — Ford Motor Company ,
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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