P2138 on Ford
Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor D/E Voltage Correlation
P2138 on Ford vehicles indicates throttle/pedal position sensor d/e voltage correlation. Au7o has documented this code across 1 Ford model — most commonly on Edge. This code means the two (or three) signals from the accelerator pedal position / throttle position sensors disagree with each other — specifically sensors 'D' and 'E', which are typically the redundant signals built into the electronic accelerator pedal. Drive-by-wire systems use multiple sensors that should track together so the computer can trust the driver's input; when their voltages don't correlate, the computer can't be sure of the requested throttle and sets this code. As a safety response it usually puts the engine into a reduced-power 'limp' mode. It generally points to the pedal sensor assembly or its wiring. Typical repair costs on Ford range from $350 to $700, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Common Causes of P2138
- •Faulty accelerator pedal position sensor assembly
- •Corroded or loose pedal sensor connector
- •Chafed, shorted, or open wiring between pedal and ECM
- •Shorted-together signal wires in the pedal harness
- •Poor sensor ground or reference voltage
- •Moisture or contamination in the pedal connector
- •Faulty ECM/PCM (less common)
P2138 on Ford by Model
Ford Edge(1 issue)
- Electronic Throttle Body Contact Degradation - Sudden Limp Mode and Wrench Light2007-2014
The CD3 Edge uses a Ford electronic throttle body (ETB) with an integrated throttle position sensor. Non-conductive deposits build up on the internal sensor contacts, so the PCM sees an implausible or drifting throttle plate position and drops the vehicle into failsafe/limp mode - the amber wrench warning lights up and engine output is cut to idle-ish power, often at highway speed with no warning. Owners describe it as the truck 'just quitting on me' merging or passing, sometimes clearing after a key cycle and then recurring more frequently. Cleaning the throttle bore does not fix it because the fault is on the electronic contacts inside the sealed unit, not carbon on the plate. Ford acknowledged the family-wide ETB problem with extended coverage programs on several models, and the failure is heavily represented in NHTSA complaints for the Edge.
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View P2138 across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does P2138 mean on Ford?▼
P2138 stands for "Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor D/E Voltage Correlation." This code means the two (or three) signals from the accelerator pedal position / throttle position sensors disagree with each other — specifically sensors 'D' and 'E', which are typically the redundant signals built into the electronic accelerator pedal. Drive-by-wire systems use multiple sensors that should track together so the computer can trust the driver's input; when their voltages don't correlate, the computer can't be sure of the requested throttle and sets this code. As a safety response it usually puts the engine into a reduced-power 'limp' mode. It generally points to the pedal sensor assembly or its wiring. On Ford specifically, this code is documented across 1 model.
What causes P2138 on Ford vehicles?▼
Common causes on Ford: Faulty accelerator pedal position sensor assembly, Corroded or loose pedal sensor connector, Chafed, shorted, or open wiring between pedal and ECM, Shorted-together signal wires in the pedal harness, Poor sensor ground or reference voltage. Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P2138 on a Ford?▼
Repair costs on Ford range from $350 to $700, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Which Ford models have P2138 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P2138 on 1 Ford model: Edge.