Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Fail-Safe Chart
If any of the following DTCs are stored, the ECM enters fail-safe mode to allow the vehicle to be driven temporarily.
| DTC No. | Component | Fail-Safe Operation | Fail-Safe Deactivation Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| P0011 P0015 P0021 P0025 |
VVT system |
|
Pass condition detected |
| P0031 P0032 P0051 P0052 |
Air fuel ratio sensor heater | ECM turns off air fuel ratio sensor heater | Ignition switch off |
| P0037 P0038 P0057 P0058 |
Heated oxygen sensor heater | ECM turns off heated oxygen sensor heater | Ignition switch off |
| P0102 P0103 |
Mass air flow meter | ECM calculates ignition timing according to engine speed and throttle valve position | Pass condition detected |
| P0112 P0113 |
Intake air temperature sensor | ECM estimates intake air temperature sensor to be 20Β°C (68Β°F) | Pass condition detected |
| P0115 P0117 P0118 |
Engine coolant temperature sensor | ECM estimates engine coolant temperature sensor to be 80Β°C (176Β°F) | Pass condition detected |
| P0120 P0121 P0122 P0123 P0220 P0222 P0223 P0604 P0606 P060A P060B P060D P060E P0657 P1607 P2102 P2103 P2111 P2112 P2118 P2119 P2135 |
Electronic throttle control system | The ECM cuts off throttle actuator current and the throttle valve returns to 6Β° throttle position by return spring The ECM then adjusts engine output by controlling fuel injection (intermittent fuel cut) and ignition timing in accordance with accelerator pedal opening angle to allow vehicle to continue at minimal speed*1 |
Pass condition detected and then ignition switch turned off |
| P0300 P0301 P0302 P0303 P0304 P0305 P0306 *2 |
|
When a catalyst-damaging misfire occurs (MIL blinking), the following fail-safe operation is performed for catalyst overheat malfunction prevention.
|
Pass condition detected and then ignition switch turned off |
| P0327 P0328 P0332 P0333 |
Knock sensor | The ECM sets ignition timing to maximum retard | Ignition switch off |
| P0351 P0352 P0353 P0354 P0355 P0356 |
Ignition coil assembly | The ECM cuts the fuel | Pass condition detected |
| P2120 P2121 P2122 P2123 P2125 P2127 P2128 P2138 |
Accelerator pedal position sensor | The accelerator pedal position sensor has 2 sensor circuits: Main and Sub. If either circuit malfunctions, the ECM controls engine using the other circuit If both circuits malfunction, the ECM regards the accelerator pedal as being released. As a result, the throttle valve is closed and the engine idles |
Pass condition detected and then ignition switch turned off |
| P2237 P2238 P2239 P2240 P2241 P2242 P2252 P2253 P2255 P2256 |
Air Fuel Ratio Sensor |
|
Pass condition detected and then ignition switch turned off |
- *1: The vehicle can be driven slowly when the accelerator pedal is depressed slowly. If the accelerator pedal is depressed quickly, the vehicle may speed up and slow down erratically.
- *2: Misfire related fail-safe operations occur when catalyst overheat malfunctions occur.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- β’ You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- β’ Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- β’ The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- β’ You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- β’ You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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