C0242: owner reports and bulletins

Chassis. We haven't written the explanation for this code yet. Below is what owners and manufacturers have filed with NHTSA.

Got C0242 on your scanner? Tell the mechanic your year, make, model and any symptoms and you'll get the likely cause and what to check first. Ask about this code.

What owners report to NHTSA

13 complaints filed with NHTSA mention C0242, 8 of them since 2015, across 6 different models. The component owners most often filed it under: engine.

Most-reported models

VehicleComplaintsModel years reported
CHEVROLET MALIBU62006, 2010, 2011, 2016, 2017

Manufacturer service bulletins that name C0242

3 technical service bulletins and manufacturer communications filed with NHTSA mention C0242, from 1 makes. A bulletin means the manufacturer has documented a known cause or a fix procedure for that model. Examples:

  • CADILLAC ATS (2013, 2014, 2015, 2008), bulletin 10114539: This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles with the Service Engine Soon light is on, Reduced engine power message, no crank, multiple warning lights on, transmission …

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database and manufacturer communications file, snapshots September 2026. A complaint or bulletin that mentions a code is a report about that vehicle, not a statement that the code has one cause.