P2138: owner reports and bulletins
Got P2138 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
285 complaints filed with NHTSA mention P2138, 220 of them since 2015, across 64 different models. The component owners most often filed it under: vehicle speed control.
Most-reported models
| Vehicle | Complaints | Model years reported |
|---|---|---|
| SUBARU OUTBACK | 77 | 2005, 2006, 2007 |
| CHEVROLET MALIBU | 53 | 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| CHEVROLET IMPALA | 19 | 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 |
| SUBARU LEGACY | 18 | 2004, 2005, 2006 |
| CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 | 11 | 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014 |
| CHEVROLET SONIC | 6 | 2012, 2013, 2014 |
| BUICK LACROSSE | 5 | 2006, 2009, 2010 |
| CHEVROLET TRAVERSE | 5 | 2012, 2013, 2016 |
| SUBARU FORESTER | 5 | 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 |
| GMC ACADIA | 5 | 2012, 2017, 2020, 2021 |
Manufacturer service bulletins that name P2138
42 technical service bulletins and manufacturer communications filed with NHTSA mention P2138, from 12 makes. A bulletin means the manufacturer has documented a known cause or a fix procedure for that model. Examples:
- FORD F-600 SD (2023, 2024), bulletin 10253556: Some 2023-2024 F-Super Duty vehicles may exhibit an illuminated powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2122, P2123, P2127, P2128, and/or P2138 stored in the powertrain control modu…
- FORD F-150 (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024), bulletin 11008946: Some 2021-2024 F-150 non-Lightning vehicles may exhibit an illuminated powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P2122, P2123, P2127, P2128, and/or P2138 stored in the powertrain cont…
- BUICK LACROSSE (2017, 2018), bulletin 10177369: Special Coverage Adjustment - Certain 2016-2018 model year Chevrolet Malibu, 2017-2018 model year Buick LaCrosse, and 2018 model year Buick Regal vehicles may have a condition which affects the electrical connection to o…
- CHEVROLET MALIBU (2016, 2017, 2018), bulletin 10177369: Special Coverage Adjustment - Certain 2016-2018 model year Chevrolet Malibu, 2017-2018 model year Buick LaCrosse, and 2018 model year Buick Regal vehicles may have a condition which affects the electrical connection to o…
- TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE BOBBER (2017, 2018, 2019, 2016), bulletin 10154750: Technical Bulletin 194 provides instructions that apply to Front Master Cylinder Reservoir Cap Screws, Windscreen Support Fixings, Keyless Ignition, Clutch Cover Removal and Installation, Rider's Seat (single seat), Side…
- CADILLAC DEVILLE (2005, 2013, 2014, 2015), bulletin 10139090: This technical bulletin provides repair information for repairing the IP to body harness connector to correct a customer concern for intermittent Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated with Reduced Engine Power dis…
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.