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Chevrolet P0171

If you encounter one or more of the following DTC's, P0171 P0172 P0299 P2227, or poor engine performance during very cold ambient temperatures of 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees C

DriveNot yet established by verified evidence.
ChargeNot yet established by verified evidence.
ServiceService is appropriate for an illuminated MIL/CEL, reduced engine power, or poor engine performance. The supplied evidence directs technicians to GM SI diagnostics.
Confidence95%

Quick answer

For Chevrolet vehicles covered by the supplied applicability data, P0171 is referenced in official GM/NHTSA communications concerning engine-operation concerns. The provided evidence does not establish a standalone definition of P0171, nor does it establish EV high-voltage, charging, or battery involvement.

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 P0171 mean?

For Chevrolet vehicles covered by the supplied applicability data, P0171 is referenced in official GM/NHTSA communications concerning engine-operation concerns. The provided evidence does not establish a standalone definition of P0171, nor does it establish EV high-voltage, charging, or battery involvement.

2. Technical explanation

Official GM communications submitted to NHTSA describe P0171 in several engine/induction diagnostic contexts. Earlier PIP5540 versions state that, at 32°F (0°C) or lower, poor engine performance and P0171/P0172/P0299/P2227 may occur with restricted airflow; technicians are directed to inspect the air-induction system, including the charge-air cooler on turbocharged engines, for ice restricting airflow or covering related pressure sensors. The supplied revision history states that P0171 and P0172 were removed from PIP5540 on January 11, 2019. Separate PIP5684 communications list P0171 among many possible current or history DTCs when the MIL is illuminated and intermittent reduced engine power is reported; those communications state that the concern may be due to a leak in the charge-air-cooler/induction systems and direct technicians to follow SI diagnostics.

3. What system is affected?

Engine air-induction and charge-air-cooler systems are implicated by the supplied GM/NHTSA bulletin evidence. High-voltage propulsion, traction-battery, and charging systems are not established by verified evidence.

4. How serious is this code?

Not yet established by verified evidence.

5. Symptoms you may notice

  • MIL/CEL illumination is described in the supplied PIP5684 evidence.
  • Intermittent reduced engine power is described in the supplied PIP5684 evidence.
  • Poor engine performance during ambient temperatures of 32°F (0°C) or lower is described in earlier PIP5540 evidence.

6. Possible causes

  • Earlier PIP5540 evidence identifies restricted airflow in very cold ambient temperatures, including ice in the air-induction system or charge-air cooler and ice covering related pressure sensors.
  • PIP5684 evidence states that the concern may be due to a leak in the charge-air-cooler/induction systems.
  • No other cause is established by the supplied verified evidence.

7. Can I still drive the vehicle?

Not yet established by verified evidence.

8. Can I charge the vehicle?

Not yet established by verified evidence.

9. What you can safely do

  • Arrange professional diagnosis if the MIL/CEL is illuminated or engine performance is reduced.
  • Provide the technician with all stored and history DTCs and note whether the concern occurred in very cold conditions.
  • Do not attempt high-voltage repairs; high-voltage involvement is not established by the supplied evidence.

10. Step-by-step troubleshooting

  1. A qualified technician should follow GM Service Information (SI) diagnostics, as directed by PIP5684.
  2. For the earlier cold-weather PIP5540 scenario, inspection of the air-induction system and, on turbocharged engines, the charge-air cooler for ice-related airflow restriction or covered pressure sensors is specified before further diagnosis.
  3. After excessive moisture is removed, the PIP5540 evidence directs retesting and normal diagnostic steps for remaining symptoms.

11. When to contact service

Service is appropriate for an illuminated MIL/CEL, reduced engine power, or poor engine performance. The supplied evidence directs technicians to GM SI diagnostics.

12. What the service center may check

  • Retrieve and evaluate current and history DTCs.
  • Follow applicable GM SI diagnostics.
  • For the earlier cold-weather PIP5540 scenario, inspect the induction system and applicable charge-air-cooler area for ice or moisture-related restriction before further diagnosis.
  • Retest after removal of excessive moisture, then continue normal diagnosis for any remaining symptoms.

13. Possible repair or resolution

  • Not yet established by verified evidence. The supplied bulletins describe inspection, removal of excessive moisture where present, retesting, and GM SI diagnosis; they do not establish a single required repair.

14. Affected vehicles

15. Related TSBs / service bulletins

  • GM PIP5684 / NHTSA MC-10167455, published October 22, 2019: P0171 is listed among possible DTCs; the concern may be due to a charge-air-cooler/induction-system leak.
  • GM PIP5684A / NHTSA MC-10176300, published May 5, 2020: same diagnostic context.
  • GM PIP5684B / NHTSA MC-10178370, published July 13, 2020: same diagnostic context.
  • GM PIP5684C / NHTSA MC-10182564, published October 22, 2020: same diagnostic context.
  • GM PIP5540A/B and later revisions: earlier versions describe cold-weather airflow restriction and ice inspection for P0171/P0172/P0299/P2227. The supplied revision history says P0171/P0172 were removed from PIP5540 on January 11, 2019.

16. Recall information

  • No recall is established by the supplied verified evidence.

17. Official manufacturer information

Official NHTSA-hosted manufacturer communications supplied: PIP5684C (MC-10182564), PIP5684B (MC-10178370), PIP5684A (MC-10176300), PIP5684 (MC-10167455), and PIP5540 revisions including PIP5540B (MC-10154566) and PIP5540A (MC-10129073).

19. Frequently asked questions

Does the supplied evidence identify P0171 as a high-voltage or charging fault?

No. The supplied evidence concerns engine air-induction and charge-air-cooler diagnostic contexts; it does not establish high-voltage or charging involvement.

Can cold weather be relevant?

Earlier PIP5540 evidence describes poor engine performance and listed DTCs, including P0171, at 32°F (0°C) or lower where ice restricts airflow or covers related pressure sensors. The supplied revision history states P0171 was later removed from that bulletin.

Does P0171 prove an induction-system leak?

No. PIP5684 states the concern may be due to a charge-air-cooler/induction-system leak. It does not establish that a leak is present on every vehicle with P0171.

20. Sources & verification

ReferenceVerified
Chevrolet P0171: If you encounter one or more of the following DTC's,… | EV Diagnostics