P2459: Diesel particulate filter cleaning cycles happen too often
Diesel particulate filter regeneration frequency
Severity: Monitor
FleetRabbit says P2459 is not an immediate safety emergency, but continued operation raises emissions, fuel use and turbo stress.
It gets more serious if:
- Inspect soon: Get it checked soon if black smoke, power loss or an overheated exhaust appears.
P2459 in short
P2459 means the diesel particulate filter is cleaning itself more often than designed, for example every 50 to 80 miles instead of 200 to 300. Short trips, extra soot from injectors or EGR, or sensor faults are common causes. It is not an emergency, but diagnose it to avoid a clogged filter.
A diesel particulate filter traps soot and periodically burns it off in a regeneration.
FleetRabbit says P2459 sets when these cycles come much closer together than the design allows. The computer thinks the filter is filling too fast.
Short trips, excess soot from injectors, EGR or turbo faults, faulty differential pressure or temperature sensors and ash build-up are all listed causes.
Most likely causes
These are general causes for this code across vehicles. None is specific to one make or model.
Cause 1: Short trips that never finish a regeneration
Common general cause- Why it ranks here
- FleetRabbit lists the duty cycle first.
- What would change this
- Rises if the truck mostly does short trips. Falls if a sustained highway run completes regeneration and the code stays away.
Cause 2: Injector, EGR or turbo fault making extra soot
Possible — needs testing- Why it ranks here
- FleetRabbit lists worn injectors, clogged EGR and turbo problems.
- What would change this
- Rises if companion engine codes or black smoke are present. Falls if no related codes.
Cause 3: Faulty DPF pressure or temperature sensor, or an aged filter
Possible — needs testing- Why it ranks here
- Both sources list sensors; FleetRabbit also lists ash build-up.
- What would change this
- Rises if sensor readings disagree with expected values. Falls if they look normal.
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 freeze-frame data and look for companion emissions codes.
IfOther emissions or injector codes are present
It meansDiagnose those first.
IfOnly P2459 is present
It meansReview driving pattern.
Step 2: Take a sustained 20 to 30 minute highway run if the vehicle is safe to drive, then see if the code stays away.
IfRegeneration completes and the interval returns to normal
It meansShort-trip duty cycle was the cause.
IfCode returns
It meansHave sensor readings checked.
Points to: Faulty DPF pressure or temperature sensor, or an aged filter
Symptoms
- Check engine light
- Frequent regeneration cycles
- Black smoke or reduced power Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
How to fix
Step 1: If it is safe, run the vehicle at highway speed for 20 to 30 minutes so the filter can complete a regeneration.
On your vehicle
ChevroletYour car
2017–2019 · Silverado 1500
Supported by vehicle dataChevrolet bulletin PIP5468F names P2459. Preliminary information for vehicles with the light on and a list of codes including P2002 and P2459; follow published diagnostics first. Also listed for GMC Sierra. Whether it is still current is not verified.
PIP5468FStatus unverified
Check engine light with various diesel codes including P2459 (Silverado)
2017–2019silverado-1500 · issued · NHTSA 10144452
Preliminary information for vehicles with the light on and a list of codes including P2002 and P2459; follow published diagnostics first. Also listed for GMC Sierra.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
FordYour car
2017 · F-250 Super Duty
Supported by vehicle dataFord bulletin TSB18-2005 names P2459 (also listed for f-350). Some 2017 F-Super Duty with the 6.7L engine built before November 2017 set these codes; follow the service procedure in the bulletin. Whether it is still current is not verified.
2015–2018 · Transit
Supported by vehicle dataFord bulletin tsb18-2189 names P2459. Some Transit with the 3.2L diesel show a Drive To Clean message or light with these codes and frequent automatic regeneration attempts. The summary links it to stationary, off-highway or low-speed use. Whether it is still current is not verified.
TSB18-2005Status unverified
MIL on with P20EE, P2459, P2201, P246C and/or P2463 (Super Duty 6.7L)
2017f-250, f-350 · issued · NHTSA 10138484
Some 2017 F-Super Duty with the 6.7L engine built before November 2017 set these codes; follow the service procedure in the bulletin.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
tsb18-2189Status unverified
Drive To Clean message with P2459, P2463, P246C (Transit 3.2L diesel)
2015–2018transit · issued · NHTSA 10144184
Some Transit with the 3.2L diesel show a Drive To Clean message or light with these codes and frequent automatic regeneration attempts. The summary links it to stationary, off-highway or low-speed use.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
RamYour car
2014 · 3500
Supported by vehicle dataRam bulletin 18-028-16 REV. A names P2459. Reflash the engine computer for the Cummins 6.7L diesel, with a choice of calibration depending on whether an ammonia sensor is fitted. Whether it is still current is not verified.
18-028-16 REV. AStatus unverified
6.7L diagnostic and system improvements, engine computer reflash (3500)
20143500 · issued · NHTSA 10135114
Reflash the engine computer for the Cummins 6.7L diesel, with a choice of calibration depending on whether an ammonia sensor is fitted.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
Related codes
No curated relationships for P2459 yet.
P2459 questions
Is P2459 serious?
FleetRabbit says it is not an immediate safety emergency, but ignoring it raises emissions, fuel use and turbo stress.
Sources and review
- P2459 code: DPF regeneration frequency fault explained
- P2459 OBD error code summary
- Chevrolet PIP5468F: Check engine light with various diesel codes including P2459 (Silverado)
- Ford TSB18-2005: MIL on with P20EE, P2459, P2201, P246C and/or P2463 (Super Duty 6.7L)
- Ford tsb18-2189: Drive To Clean message with P2459, P2463, P246C (Transit 3.2L diesel)
- Ram 18-028-16 REV. A: 6.7L diagnostic and system improvements, engine computer reflash (3500)
- 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