P2106 on Ford
Throttle Actuator Control System - Forced Limited Power
P2106 on Ford vehicles indicates throttle actuator control system - forced limited power. Au7o has documented this code across 2 Ford models — most commonly on Explorer, Freestyle. P2106 means the engine computer has put the electronic throttle control (drive-by-wire) system into a 'forced limited power' or reduced-power mode. This code doesn't point to a failed part itself — it's a protective response, set because the computer detected another throttle-related fault (a bad throttle position sensor, accelerator pedal sensor, or throttle body) and limited engine power to keep you safe. You'll usually notice sluggish acceleration, a 'reduced power' warning, or the car feeling like it won't rev past a certain point. The underlying throttle fault, almost always stored as a companion code, must be found and fixed. Typical repair costs on Ford range from $350 to $900, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Common Causes of P2106
- •Faulty throttle position sensor (TPS) or throttle body
- •Failed or dirty electronic throttle body / actuator motor
- •Accelerator pedal position sensor fault
- •Wiring, connector, or ground problems in the throttle/pedal circuit
- •Companion throttle codes (P2101-P2135) triggering limp mode
- •Low system voltage or charging issue affecting the throttle module
- •PCM/ECM software or internal fault
P2106 on Ford by Model
Ford Explorer(1 issue)
- Throttle Body Failure on 4.6L V8 Causing Wrench Light, Limp Mode, and Sudden Loss of Power2006-2010
Later 4th-generation Explorers with the 4.6L 3-valve V8 commonly suffer electronic throttle body problems. Owners report the wrench light illuminating, the vehicle abruptly entering fail-safe mode, and the engine losing throttle response or dropping to idle while driving. This issue is well documented across Ford products using similar electronic throttle bodies and is frequently associated with internal motor or throttle position sensor faults.
Ford Freestyle(1 issue)
- Throttle Body Malfunction and Unintended Forward Surge2005-2007
The Ford Freestyle is subject to a significant safety issue where the vehicle surges or lunges forward unexpectedly at low speeds when in gear, even without the accelerator pedal being applied. The NHTSA investigated 238 complaints about this behavior, finding that a programming error in the engine computer causes the electronic throttle body to malfunction, particularly when the engine is under load from A/C operation, steering at full lock, or carrying heavy loads. In 18 reported cases, the surge caused accidents. Ford eventually issued a recall in December 2012 to reprogram the throttle body or replace it and reimburse owners who had already paid for the repair.
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View P2106 across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does P2106 mean on Ford?▼
P2106 stands for "Throttle Actuator Control System - Forced Limited Power." P2106 means the engine computer has put the electronic throttle control (drive-by-wire) system into a 'forced limited power' or reduced-power mode. This code doesn't point to a failed part itself — it's a protective response, set because the computer detected another throttle-related fault (a bad throttle position sensor, accelerator pedal sensor, or throttle body) and limited engine power to keep you safe. You'll usually notice sluggish acceleration, a 'reduced power' warning, or the car feeling like it won't rev past a certain point. The underlying throttle fault, almost always stored as a companion code, must be found and fixed. On Ford specifically, this code is documented across 2 models.
What causes P2106 on Ford vehicles?▼
Common causes on Ford: Faulty throttle position sensor (TPS) or throttle body, Failed or dirty electronic throttle body / actuator motor, Accelerator pedal position sensor fault, Wiring, connector, or ground problems in the throttle/pedal circuit, Companion throttle codes (P2101-P2135) triggering limp mode. Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P2106 on a Ford?▼
Repair costs on Ford range from $350 to $900, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Which Ford models have P2106 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P2106 on 2 Ford models: Explorer, Freestyle.