Trouble code · Powertrain · Generic (all makes)

P2111 Throttle Actuator Control System – Stuck Open

The electronic throttle isn't closing when the computer tells it to – it's stuck more open than commanded.

Safe to drive?
Get it checked now
Limit driving until it's diagnosed
Scanner you need
Any OBD2 scanner
Even a basic code reader shows it
NHTSA complaints quoting it
126
Vehicle complaints, 2015–2025

Common causes

  • Dirty or sticky throttle body
  • Failing throttle motor
  • Faulty throttle position sensor
  • Wiring problems

Symptoms

  • High idle
  • Surging
  • The car feels like it's pushing at stops
  • Reduced-power or limp mode

Can I drive with it?

Avoid driving until it's checked – a throttle that won't close can make the car hard to slow down.

Tip: Cleaning a dirty throttle body often fixes it; many cars then need a throttle relearn, which some scanners can run.

Which scanner reads it?

Any OBD2 scanner reads it. Live data comparing commanded and actual throttle position confirms the problem.

Budget tools like the ANCEL AD310 read it; tools with live data and graphing – like the BlueDriver or OBDLink MX+ – help you find the cause. Not sure which fits you? Try the Find My Scanner quiz.

In the data

Of the vehicle complaints owners filed with NHTSA from 2015 to 2025, 126 quote P2111 – most often from Ford, Lincoln, Mercury owners. Complaints lean toward serious problems, so treat this as a sign of how often the code turns up in real reports, not how often cars get it.

Both sources are compared on the Trends page.

General information to help you understand a code – not a diagnosis. Your car’s service information or a qualified mechanic has the final word. See how we research.