P219E Cylinder 3 air-fuel ratio imbalance

Cylinder 3 imbalance error

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

Bulletins connect it to software and injector issues but none we read rate urgency; Honda describes rough running and rattling in one case.

It gets more serious if:

  • Inspect soon: Get it inspected soon if the engine runs rough, rattles, misfires or loses power.

Source: how we rate severity

P219E in short

P219E means the computer sees cylinder 3 running richer or leaner than the others. Common causes are a fuel injector problem, an air leak, an ignition fault or outdated engine software. Hyundai, Toyota, Subaru and Honda have bulletins listing it, so ask a dealer about your VIN.

Modern engines compare how each cylinder burns using oxygen sensor data. P219E is set when the cylinder 3 mixture appears out of balance with the rest.

The code is thin on detail in the references we read. Bulletins list it with other cylinder imbalance codes: Hyundai and Subaru update engine software, Toyota lists the whole P219A to P21A1 group on the 2015 Tacoma, and Honda ties it to an injector leak on hybrids.

Check which physical cylinder is number 3 using your service information.

Most likely causes

  1. Leaking or faulty fuel injector on cylinder 3

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Honda bulletin A25-044 describes an injector leak giving a rich mixture with this code listed.
    What would change this
    Rises if cylinder 3 shows a rich condition or fouled plug. Falls if injectors test normally.
    How to test the fuel injector

  2. Engine or transmission computer software

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Hyundai and Subaru bulletins update software for imbalance codes.
    What would change this
    Rises if a dealer finds an update for your VIN. Falls if software is current.
    How to test the engine control module (ecm / pcm)

  3. Intake leak or ignition fault on cylinder 3

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    Reference pages list air leaks and ignition faults for cylinder imbalance codes.
    What would change this
    Rises if smoke testing finds a leak or the plug or coil is worn. Falls if both are good.
    How to test the vacuum hoses and intake leaks

What to test first

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

  1. Read all codes. Note P0134, P0135, P219D or P219F and any misfire codes.

    Low riskTool: OBD-II scan tool

    • IfOther imbalance codes are stored

      It meansA shared software or fuel issue is likely.

      Go to step 2

    • IfP219E alone

      It meansCheck for bulletins, then test cylinder 3.

      Go to step 2

  2. Ask a dealer whether an engine software or injector bulletin applies to your VIN.

    Low risk

  3. Have a shop test the cylinder 3 injector, spark plug, coil and intake for leaks.

    Best left to a shopTool: scan tool, smoke machine

    Warning:Fuel injectors run under pressure near hot parts. Let a shop do it.

Symptoms

  • Check engine light
  • Rough running or rattling noise
  • Reduced power or misfire Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

Compare with: Rough idle with the check engine light on

How to fix

  1. Ask a dealer whether a software update or bulletin applies to your VIN.

Parts and cost context

  • Fuel injector:Test cylinder 3 before replacing. 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

Hyundai

  • 2018 · Sonata

    Supported by vehicle data

    Hyundai 5NP-R6Y5M-01 updates engine and transmission software on the 2018 Sonata 2.0T. Not verified as current.

  • 5NP-R6Y5M-01Status unverified

    ECM and TCM software updates for 2.0L turbo Sonata

    2018sonata · issued · NHTSA 10127004

    Covers engine and transmission computer software updates for certain 2018 Sonata with the 2.0L turbo. The summary lists cylinder imbalance codes.

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

Toyota

  • 2015 · Tacoma

    Supported by vehicle data

    Toyota T-SB-0055-15 lists P219E with other imbalance codes on the 2015 Tacoma 1GR-FE. Not verified as current.

  • T-SB-0055-15Status unverified

    MIL on with P219A through P21A1 on 1GR-FE

    2015tacoma · issued · NHTSA 10132498

    Some 2015 Tacoma with the 1GR-FE engine show the light with cylinder air-fuel imbalance codes P219A to P219F and others. The summary does not state the repair.

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

Subaru

  • 2019–2020 · Crosstrek

    Supported by vehicle data

    Subaru 11-198-20 reprograms the engine computer on 2019 to 2020 Crosstrek. Not verified as current.

  • 11-198-20Status unverified

    Engine computer reprogramming for check engine light

    2019–2020crosstrek · issued · NHTSA 10171918

    Subaru offers new reprogramming files for the engine computer to address check engine light concerns including cylinder imbalance codes.

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

Honda

  • 2023–2025 · Accord

    Supported by vehicle data

    Honda A25-044 describes an injector leak on 2023 to 2025 CR-V Hybrid and Accord Hybrid. Not verified as current.

  • A25-044Status unverified

    Rough running and rattle with P0134 or P0135 from fuel injector leak

    2023–2025accord, cr-v · issued · NHTSA 11020826

    Honda hybrid bulletin: a possible fuel injector leak makes the mixture rich and fouls spark plugs, with P0134 or P0135 and other codes that include P219E.

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

  • P219DThe engine computer has detected that cylinder 2 is running at a noticeably different air-fuel ratio from the other cylinders

    Same system Supported by vehicle data

    Honda and Toyota bulletins list P219D with P219E, the cylinder 2 form of the same imbalance code.

  • P0300Random or multiple-cylinder misfire detected

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    The Honda bulletin lists P0300 with the imbalance codes.

All Fuel trim (air-fuel mixture) codes

Sources and review

  1. Honda A25-044: Rough running and rattle with P0134 or P0135 from fuel injector leak — NHTSA manufacturer communications ,
  2. P219E OBD-II trouble code — PartsAvatar
  3. Hyundai 5NP-R6Y5M-01: ECM and TCM software updates for 2.0L turbo Sonata — NHTSA manufacturer communications ,
  4. Subaru 11-198-20: Engine computer reprogramming for check engine light — NHTSA manufacturer communications ,
  5. P219E trouble code explanation — TroubleCodes.net
  6. Toyota T-SB-0055-15: MIL on with P219A through P21A1 on 1GR-FE — NHTSA manufacturer communications ,
Last reviewed
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

My Car

Pick your car and code pages will point out notes and bulletins for it. Saved only in this browser.

Fill this in from your VIN

Used once to identify your engine; not stored.