Fault code lookup

PowertrainP0218

Serious

Severity: Serious - have it checked soon

Transmission Over Temperature Condition

34 brands affected · Generic SAE J2012 description.

Key terms: SAE J2012: the standard generic code list · Powertrain: engine, transmission and emissions

Safety: This code relates to transmission fluid temperature. Overheating can quickly damage the transmission.

1What it means in plain English

The transmission fluid is hotter than its safe range, which can quickly damage the transmission.

2Common causes

  1. Low or burnt transmission fluid
  2. Blocked transmission cooler or cooler lines
  3. Heavy load or towing in too high a gear
  4. Failing torque converter
  5. Cooling system fault

3Can I drive?

Serious · drive with care

Stop in a safe place and let the transmission cool. Do not keep driving hard. Have the fluid level and transmission cooling checked before further driving: continued overheating can destroy the transmission.

This page gives general information. It is not professional advice. For a definite diagnosis and a repair quote, ask a qualified mechanic to inspect the car.

4Brand data 34

BrandCodeDescriptionSystem
Ashok Leyland CVP0218Transmission Over Temperature Condition SAEPowertrain
BAIC MotorP0218High Oil Temperature BrandPowertrain
Mercedes-BenzP0218Transmission Over Temperature Condition SAEPowertrain
BMWP0218Transmission Fluid Over Temp. Condition BrandPowertrain
BYDP0218High oil temperature BrandPowertrain
CheryP0218Automatic transmission overheat BrandPowertrain
ChryslerP0218High Temperature Operation Activated BrandPowertrain
DaewooP0218Transmission Fault Overtemperature BrandPowertrain
DaihatsuP0218CVT fluid high temperature fault BrandPowertrain
DFFSP0218A/T fault BrandPowertrain
DFFXP0218Transmission Fluid Over Temperature Condition BrandPowertrain
DFXKP0218Transmission Fluid Over Temperature Condition BrandPowertrain
EOBDP0218Getriebeöltemperatursensor 'A' Überhitzungszustand BrandPowertrain
FiatP0218High temperature operation activated BrandPowertrain
GeelyP0218High Oil Temperature BrandPowertrain
GMP0218Transmission Fluid Over Temperature BrandPowertrain
Great WallP0218High oil temperature BrandPowertrain
HafeiP0218Transmission Fluid Over Temperature Condition BrandPowertrain
HoldenP0218Transmission Fluid Overtemperature BrandPowertrain
HondaP0218Transmission Over Temperature Condition SAEPowertrain
HyundaiP0218Transmission Over Temperature Condition SAEPowertrain
IsuzuP0218Transmission Over Temperature Condition SAEPowertrain
Land RoverP0218Transmission fluid temperature sensor BrandPowertrain
MitsubishiP0218Transmission Over Temperature Condition SAEPowertrain
OpelP0218Transmission Fluid Over Temperature BrandPowertrain
PeroduaP0218CVT fluid high temperature fault BrandPowertrain
PeugeotP0218Transmission Over Temperature Condition SAEPowertrain
SaabP0218Transmission Fluid Over Temperature BrandPowertrain
MG (SAIC)P0218ATF Cooler Assembly Failure BrandPowertrain
SprinterP0218Transmission Over Temperature Condition SAEPowertrain
SuzukiP0218Transmission Over Temperature Condition SAEPowertrain
TataP0218Engine Overtemp Condition BrandPowertrain
ToyotaP0218Transmission oil temperature level 1 overtemperature BrandPowertrain
VolkswagenP0218Maximum gearbox oil temperature exceeded BrandPowertrain

Legend: SAE is the generic J2012 description; Brand is text taken from that manufacturer’s data. Manufacturer rows keep the wording and language of the source data, and non-English text is tagged so screen readers pronounce it correctly.

5Extended variant codes 5

These 7-character codes are manufacturer-specific variants of P0218 and may be reported by some scan tools.

BrandCodeDescriptionSystem
Mercedes-BenzP021800No description available Powertrain
SprinterP021800No description available Powertrain
SsangYongP021800Transmission oil temperature signal (from CAN) is invalid BrandPowertrain
Mercedes-BenzP02184BNo description available Powertrain
SprinterP02184BNo description available Powertrain

6Related codes

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