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Chevrolet P0172

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

DriveUnknown. The supplied diagnostic record marks safe-to-drive status as unknown.
ChargeUnknown. The supplied diagnostic record marks safe-to-charge status as unknown.
ServiceService need is marked unknown in the supplied diagnostic record. Seek qualified Chevrolet service diagnosis if the MIL is illuminated or engine performance is reduced.
Confidence95%

Quick answer

For Chevrolet vehicles covered by the supplied data, P0172 appears in manufacturer communications concerning engine-performance/MIL concerns. Verified evidence links it to a cold-weather diagnostic tip in older PIP5540 versions and to charge-air-cooler/induction-system leak diagnostics in PIP5684. It does not establish a single universal cause for P0172.

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 P0172 mean?

For Chevrolet vehicles covered by the supplied data, P0172 appears in manufacturer communications concerning engine-performance/MIL concerns. Verified evidence links it to a cold-weather diagnostic tip in older PIP5540 versions and to charge-air-cooler/induction-system leak diagnostics in PIP5684. It does not establish a single universal cause for P0172.

2. Technical explanation

The supplied record’s canonical text comes from GM diagnostic tip PIP5540: at 32°F (0°C) or lower, P0172 could occur with poor engine performance because restricted airflow may result from ice in the air-induction system, including the charge-air cooler on turbocharged engines, or ice covering related pressure sensors. That version instructed inspection before further diagnosis. However, the supplied evidence also states that P0171 and P0172 were removed from PIP5540 on January 11, 2019; therefore, that cold-weather guidance should not be treated as current PIP5540 applicability for P0172. Separate GM communications PIP5684/PIP5684A/B/C list P0172 among many possible current or history codes when the MIL is illuminated and intermittent reduced engine power may be reported. Those communications state that a charge-air-cooler/induction-system leak may cause that concern and direct technicians to follow SI diagnostics. This does not establish that every P0172 is caused by a leak.

3. What system is affected?

Engine air-induction/charge-air-cooler system is the only system identified in the supplied manufacturer-communication evidence. A P0172-specific EV high-voltage system association is not established by verified evidence.

4. How serious is this code?

Unknown. The supplied diagnostic record marks severity as unknown.

5. Symptoms you may notice

  • MIL/CEL illumination is described in PIP5684 communications that list P0172 among possible codes.
  • Intermittent reduced engine power is described in PIP5684 communications that list P0172 among possible codes.
  • Poor engine performance during ambient temperatures of 32°F (0°C) or lower was described in older PIP5540 versions that included P0172; those versions later removed P0172.

6. Possible causes

  • For the older PIP5540 guidance that included P0172, restricted airflow during very cold ambient temperatures due to ice in the air-induction system, including the charge-air cooler on turbocharged engines, or ice covering related pressure sensors.
  • PIP5684 communications state that a charge-air-cooler/induction-system leak may cause a concern involving P0172 among a large list of possible codes.
  • A single definitive cause for P0172 is not established by the supplied evidence.

7. Can I still drive the vehicle?

Unknown. The supplied diagnostic record marks safe-to-drive status as unknown.

8. Can I charge the vehicle?

Unknown. The supplied diagnostic record marks safe-to-charge status as unknown.

9. What you can safely do

  • Record whether the MIL is illuminated and whether reduced or poor engine performance occurs.
  • Note ambient temperature, especially whether the concern occurred at or below 32°F (0°C).
  • Arrange qualified diagnosis using the manufacturer’s service information.
  • Do not attempt high-voltage repairs; no high-voltage repair procedure is supported by the supplied evidence.

10. Step-by-step troubleshooting

  1. A technician should follow GM Service Information (SI) diagnostics, as directed in PIP5684 communications.
  2. For the older PIP5540 scenario involving P0172 at 32°F (0°C) or lower, GM directed inspection of the air-induction system, including the charge-air cooler on turbocharged engines, for ice restricting airflow or covering related pressure sensors before further diagnosis.
  3. After excessive moisture is removed, the PIP5540 evidence says to retest and follow normal diagnostic steps for symptoms found. Current applicability of that P0172-specific PIP5540 process is not established because P0172 was later removed from that communication.

11. When to contact service

Service need is marked unknown in the supplied diagnostic record. Seek qualified Chevrolet service diagnosis if the MIL is illuminated or engine performance is reduced.

12. What the service center may check

  • Retrieve current and history DTCs and follow applicable GM SI diagnostics.
  • For the PIP5684 concern, evaluate the charge-air-cooler/induction system in accordance with GM SI diagnostics.
  • Where the older cold-weather PIP5540 scenario applies, inspect for ice restricting airflow or covering related pressure sensors before continuing diagnosis.

13. Possible repair or resolution

  • Not yet established by verified evidence. The supplied communications provide diagnostic direction rather than a universal repair.
  • The older PIP5540 evidence states that, once excessive moisture has been removed, retest and continue normal diagnosis for symptoms found.

14. Affected vehicles

15. Related TSBs / service bulletins

  • GM PIP5684 / NHTSA MC-10167455 (2019-10-22): Lists P0172 among possible codes with MIL illumination and intermittent reduced engine power; states a charge-air-cooler/induction-system leak may be involved and directs SI diagnostics.
  • GM PIP5684A / NHTSA MC-10176300 (2020-05-05), PIP5684B / MC-10178370 (2020-07-13), and PIP5684C / MC-10182564 (2020-10-22): Later listed versions with the same P0172 inclusion and diagnostic direction.
  • GM PIP5540A / NHTSA MC-10129073 (2018-01-18) and PIP5540B / MC-10154566 (2018-12-06): Older cold-weather guidance that included P0172, citing possible ice-related airflow restriction at 32°F (0°C) or below.
  • PIP5540 version history in the supplied evidence states P0171 and P0172 were removed on 2019-01-11. Later PIP5540 versions therefore do not establish ongoing P0172 coverage.

16. Recall information

  • No recall is identified in the supplied verified evidence.

17. Official manufacturer information

Official NHTSA-hosted manufacturer communications supplied: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10182564-9999.pdf ; https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2018/MC-10154566-9999.pdf

19. Frequently asked questions

Does P0172 definitively identify one failed part?

No. The supplied evidence does not establish one definitive cause. It identifies possible ice-related airflow restriction in older cold-weather PIP5540 guidance and a possible charge-air-cooler/induction-system leak in PIP5684 communications.

Is cold weather relevant?

Older PIP5540 versions that included P0172 described poor engine performance and restricted airflow from ice at 32°F (0°C) or lower. The supplied version history says P0172 was removed from PIP5540 on January 11, 2019.

Is this an EV battery or charging fault?

Not established by verified evidence. The supplied materials concern engine air-induction and charge-air-cooler diagnostics, and charging safety is marked unknown.

20. Sources & verification

ReferenceVerified
Chevrolet P0172: If you encounter one or more of the following DTC's,… | EV Diagnostics