OBD-II Code · Transmission
P0218
Transmission Fluid Over Temperature
Severity
high
Left alone, this one tends to take other parts with it.
Can you drive it
Not for long
Driving on this one risks further damage. Get it to a shop rather than carrying on with it.
Indicative cost (USD)
$80–$1,500
Varies by vehicle, diagnosis, parts, and local labor. This is not a repair quote.
Trans fluid is overheating.
How a shop works this
Work from evidence to part, not the other way round. A code names a circuit or a symptom; it does not name the part that failed.
Note every code that is set, not just this one.
Codes that appear together usually narrow the cause faster than any one of them read alone.
Read the freeze frame — the conditions the fault was recorded under.
Cold or warm, idle or load, road speed and engine speed. A fault that only appears cold is a different fault from one that only appears under load, even with the same code on the scanner.
Confirm the fault is current rather than history.
Clear the code and see whether it returns under those same conditions. A code that does not come back may have been logged during a repair, a flat battery, or a bad connection that has since been disturbed.
Then work the likely-causes list in the order shown.
That order is what a shop checks first for this code — wiring and connections before the component they run to, because a connector costs nothing to inspect and is a common answer.
If the code comes back after a repair, the underlying fault is still there. That is the point to bring in a scanner with live data and freeze-frame, or a shop that has one.
Common symptoms
- Trans temp warning
- Check engine light
- Possible limp mode
Likely causes
- Low fluidMost common
- Clogged cooler
- Towing overload
- Failing torque converter
Read the full diagnostic procedureP0218 indicates the transmission control module has measured automatic transmission fluid temperature above the calibrated threshold (typically 270 t…
P0218 indicates the transmission control module has measured automatic transmission fluid temperature above the calibrated threshold (typically 270 to 300 F depending on manufacturer), which forces a limp-in strategy to protect the clutches and valve body.
Start with the cheapest checks
confirm ATF level and condition on a level surface at operating temperature (cold-bright cherry red is ideal; brown or burnt-smelling fluid has lost its friction modifiers and oxidized), inspect the transmission cooler lines for kinks or restrictions, and verify the radiator cooler tank is not internally blocked by debris. Live-data with a scan tool: monitor TFT (transmission fluid temperature) sensor at key-on cold soak — it should read within 5 F of ambient and within 5 F of ECT; resistance of a typical NTC TFT sensor is roughly 3.0 kohm at 70 F and drops to about 100 to 300 ohm at 250 F. If TFT tracks ECT and both rise abnormally during light load, the problem is cooling-system or load-related, not sensor. Caveat: a stuck-open thermostat or low coolant raises TFT indirectly through the cooler-in-radiator path, so chasing the trans before fixing engine cooling wastes labor.
Vehicle-specific patterns2004-2010 Ford F-150 5.4L (4R75E/6R80) — towing above GCWR with the factory cooler routes ATF through a radiator tank that silts up; aftermarket auxi…
- 2004-2010Ford F-150 5.4L (4R75E/6R80) — towing above GCWR with the factory cooler routes ATF through a radiator tank that silts up; aftermarket auxiliary cooler plus full fluid exchange is the standard fix.
- 2007-2013GMC Sierra/Chevy Silverado 6L80 — TEHCM internal solenoid wear raises line pressure and heat; GM bulletin PIP4811 covers reflash plus solenoid pack.
- 2003-2009Dodge Ram 1500 (45RFE/545RFE) — degraded ATF+4 past 60k miles loses viscosity and overheats on grade; pan-drop plus filter is inadequate, full exchange required.
- 2006-2012Toyota Tundra 5.7L (AB60) — trailer-tow without the OEM tow package overwhelms the cooler; retrofit of the tow-package cooler resolves recurrence.
Estimated repair$180 to $1400.
Look up another code
P0218 — frequently asked
What does a P0218 code mean?
Trans fluid is overheating.
What causes a P0218 code?
Common causes: Low fluid; Clogged cooler; Towing overload; Failing torque converter.
What are the symptoms of a P0218 code?
Typical symptoms: Trans temp warning; Check engine light; Possible limp mode.
Is it safe to drive with a P0218 code?
Not for long. Driving on this one risks further damage. Get it to a shop rather than carrying on with it. Estimated repair: $80-$1,500.
How do I diagnose a P0218 code?
Work from evidence to part, not the other way round. A code names a circuit or a symptom; it does not name the part that failed. 1. Note every code that is set, not just this one. 2. Read the freeze frame — the conditions the fault was recorded under. 3. Confirm the fault is current rather than history. 4. Then work the likely-causes list in the order shown.
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