Chevrolet P0133
The technician should
Quick answer
For the supplied Chevrolet applicability, P0133 is listed in GM/NHTSA communications PIP5684 through PIP5684C. Those communications state that a vehicle may have an illuminated MIL and intermittent reduced engine power, and that the concern may be due to a leak in the charge-air-cooler/induction system. The diagnostic’s verified canonical meaning is only “The technician should”; a fuller code definition is not established by the supplied evidence.
This page separates verified manufacturer/regulator evidence from supporting material. Unsupported causes, repairs or safety conclusions are not guessed.
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1. What does P0133 mean?
For the supplied Chevrolet applicability, P0133 is listed in GM/NHTSA communications PIP5684 through PIP5684C. Those communications state that a vehicle may have an illuminated MIL and intermittent reduced engine power, and that the concern may be due to a leak in the charge-air-cooler/induction system. The diagnostic’s verified canonical meaning is only “The technician should”; a fuller code definition is not established by the supplied evidence.
2. Technical explanation
The verified records associate P0133 with Chevrolet Bolt EV, Spark, and Volt model years 2011–2018 in the US. Four official GM manufacturer communications filed with NHTSA—PIP5684 (2019), PIP5684A (2020), PIP5684B (2020), and PIP5684C (2020)—list P0133 among a group of current or history DTCs that may occur with an illuminated MIL and intermittent reduced engine power. In that bulletin context, GM states the concern may be due to a leak in the charge air cooler/induction systems. This does not establish that every P0133 event has that cause, nor does the supplied evidence provide the complete technician correction procedure.
3. What system is affected?
Charge air cooler / induction systems, as identified in the cited GM manufacturer communications. A more specific system assignment is not yet established by verified evidence.
4. How serious is this code?
Unknown. The supplied diagnostic record lists severity as unknown.
5. Symptoms you may notice
- Illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL).
- Intermittent reduced engine power.
6. Possible causes
- A leak in the charge air cooler / induction systems may be the cause in the bulletin-described condition.
7. Can I still drive the vehicle?
Unknown. The supplied diagnostic record lists safe-to-drive status as unknown. Because reduced engine power is documented, have the vehicle assessed rather than assuming normal driving is appropriate.
8. Can I charge the vehicle?
Unknown. The supplied diagnostic record lists safe-to-charge status as unknown.
9. What you can safely do
- Arrange diagnosis by a qualified service technician.
- Provide the technician with DTC P0133 and any MIL or intermittent reduced-power history.
- Do not attempt high-voltage-system repairs based on this information.
10. Step-by-step troubleshooting
- A technician should evaluate the vehicle using the applicable GM diagnostic information. The supplied evidence does not establish further step-by-step troubleshooting.
11. When to contact service
Service is not explicitly classified as required in the supplied diagnostic record; that status is unknown. However, the official communications describe MIL illumination and possible intermittent reduced engine power, so professional diagnosis is appropriate.
12. What the service center may check
- Check for current or history DTCs, including P0133, in the context of GM communication PIP5684 series.
- Evaluate for a possible leak in the charge air cooler / induction systems, consistent with the cited bulletin context.
13. Possible repair or resolution
- Not yet established by verified evidence. The supplied summaries state that a technician correction exists but do not include the complete correction procedure.
14. Affected vehicles
- Chevrolet Bolt EV · 2011–2018 · US
- Chevrolet Spark · 2011–2018 · US
- Chevrolet Volt · 2011–2018 · US
15. Related TSBs / service bulletins
- GM PIP5684, filed with NHTSA as MC-10167455, published October 22, 2019: lists P0133 among possible current/history DTCs; states the concern may be due to a charge-air-cooler/induction-system leak.
- GM PIP5684A, filed with NHTSA as MC-10176300, published May 5, 2020: same verified P0133 context.
- GM PIP5684B, filed with NHTSA as MC-10178370, published July 13, 2020: same verified P0133 context.
- GM PIP5684C, filed with NHTSA as MC-10182564, published October 22, 2020: same verified P0133 context.
16. Recall information
- Not yet established by verified evidence.
17. Official manufacturer information
Official NHTSA-hosted GM communication PIP5684C: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10182564-9999.pdf
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10167455: PIP5684 · official_tsb
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10176300: PIP5684A · official_tsb
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10178370: PIP5684B · official_tsb
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10182564: PIP5684C · official_tsb
19. Frequently asked questions
What does P0133 mean for the listed Chevrolet vehicles?
The supplied diagnostic record gives the canonical meaning only as “The technician should.” The official GM communications list P0133 in a group of DTCs that may occur with an illuminated MIL and intermittent reduced engine power; they identify a possible charge-air-cooler/induction-system leak in that bulletin context.
Can P0133 cause reduced power?
The cited GM communications state that a customer may intermittently comment that engine power is reduced when the vehicle is presented with the listed DTC group, which includes P0133. They do not establish that P0133 alone causes reduced power in every case.
Is a charge-system problem established?
No. Charging safety and a charging-system fault are not established by the supplied evidence.