P0046: owner reports and bulletins

Powertrain (generic, all makes). We haven't written the explanation for this code yet. Below is what owners and manufacturers have filed with NHTSA.

Got P0046 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

2 complaints filed with NHTSA mention P0046, 1 of them since 2015, across 2 different models. The component owners most often filed it under: unknown or other.

Manufacturer service bulletins that name P0046

19 technical service bulletins and manufacturer communications filed with NHTSA mention P0046, from 4 makes. A bulletin means the manufacturer has documented a known cause or a fix procedure for that model. Examples:

  • FORD F-250 SD (2020, 2021, 2022), bulletin 10208834: Some 2020-2022 F-Super Duty vehicles equipped with a 6.7L engine may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL), lack of power, and/or excessive turbo noise during operation, with diagnostic trouble codes (D…
  • FORD F-350 SD (2020, 2021, 2022), bulletin 10225441: Some 2020-2022 F-Super Duty vehicles equipped with a 6.7L engine may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL), lack of power, and/or excessive turbo noise during operation, with diagnostic trouble codes (D…
  • RAM 2500 (2015), bulletin 10212407: Cummins 6.7L Turbocharger Actuator - X99 Warranty Extension This bulletin involves replacing the turbocharger actuator. Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation…
  • RAM 4500 (2013, 2014, 2015), bulletin 10212377: Cummins 6.7L Turbocharger Actuator - X93 Warranty Extension This bulletin involves replacing the turbocharger actuator with an updated actuator. Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. U…
  • CHEVROLET COLORADO (2019), bulletin 10163247: This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Check Engine Light Illuminated with DTC?s P0106, P0046, P20EE, P249D, and/or P249E Set.
  • GMC CANYON (2019), bulletin 10163247: This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Check Engine Light Illuminated with DTC?s P0106, P0046, P20EE, P249D, and/or P249E Set.

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.