P0120 on Toyota
Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction
P0120 on Toyota vehicles indicates throttle/pedal position sensor circuit malfunction. Au7o has documented this code across 1 Toyota model — most commonly on Corolla. This code indicates a malfunction in the throttle position or accelerator pedal position sensor circuit. These sensors tell the computer how far the throttle plate is open or how far you've pressed the pedal, which the computer uses to control engine power and, on drive-by-wire systems, the throttle itself. When the signal is out of range, erratic, or doesn't make sense relative to other inputs, P0120 sets. Symptoms can include hesitation, surging, stalling, or the vehicle entering a reduced-power 'limp' mode for safety.
Common Causes of P0120
- •Failed throttle position sensor
- •Corroded or loose TPS/pedal sensor connector
- •Damaged or shorted sensor wiring
- •Carbon buildup or a sticking throttle body
- •Worn throttle body or throttle plate
- •Poor sensor reference voltage or ground
- •Faulty accelerator pedal position sensor
- •Faulty PCM/ECM (rare)
P0120 on Toyota by Model
Toyota Corolla(1 issue)
- Low-Speed Unintended Surging Complaints (ETCS-i)2006-2010
Owners of 2006-2010 Corollas equipped with the electronic throttle control system (ETCS-i) reported episodes of low-speed surging — the car lunging or accelerating slightly on its own at low speed (e.g., in parking lots or creeping traffic) such that braking sometimes felt insufficient to stop in time. NHTSA received a petition and opened scrutiny covering roughly 1.69 million 2006-2010 Corollas with electronic throttle control, separate from (and in addition to) the well-known floor-mat-entrapment and sticky-accelerator-pedal recalls of the same era. While Toyota and NHTSA's technical reviews did not confirm an electronic root cause, the surging complaints are numerous, well-documented, and a frequent owner search.
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View P0120 across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does P0120 mean on Toyota?▼
P0120 stands for "Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction." This code indicates a malfunction in the throttle position or accelerator pedal position sensor circuit. These sensors tell the computer how far the throttle plate is open or how far you've pressed the pedal, which the computer uses to control engine power and, on drive-by-wire systems, the throttle itself. When the signal is out of range, erratic, or doesn't make sense relative to other inputs, P0120 sets. Symptoms can include hesitation, surging, stalling, or the vehicle entering a reduced-power 'limp' mode for safety. On Toyota specifically, this code is documented across 1 model.
What causes P0120 on Toyota vehicles?▼
Common causes on Toyota: Failed throttle position sensor, Corroded or loose TPS/pedal sensor connector, Damaged or shorted sensor wiring, Carbon buildup or a sticking throttle body, Worn throttle body or throttle plate. Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P0120 on a Toyota?▼
Repair costs vary widely depending on the root cause and specific Toyota model.
Which Toyota models have P0120 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P0120 on 1 Toyota model: Corolla.