AutoCodes – Ford – P0218 Ford

P0218 Ford Code - Transmission Fluid Temperature Over Temperature Condition

Quick Answer

The flow of transmission fluid starts in the bottom pan and is drawn through the filter, control valve body assembly, transmission case and into the oil pump assembly. Common causes include Low transmission fluid level, Transmission cooling system concerns. Severity is High - diagnose this code as soon as possible. Driving is not recommended if the warning light is flashing, the engine runs poorly, or safety-related symptoms are present.

What it means: P0218 Ford indicates Transmission Fluid Temperature Over Temperature Condition.
Common causes: Common causes include Low transmission fluid level, Transmission cooling system concerns.
Severity: High - diagnose this code as soon as possible.
Can I drive?: Driving is not recommended if the warning light is flashing, the engine runs poorly, or safety-related symptoms are present.

Save to My Repairs My Repairs

AI answers can be wrong. Verify repairs with testing. Open full chat

Code Popularity 11,482

How popular is this code, among other codes? Low

Repair Importance Level

Urgent (Diagnose now) (3 / 3)

Repair Difficulty Level

Advanced (Pro) (3 / 3)

What is this?

Table of contents Created and updated by William Orellana on Jun 09, 2022

Description
Possible Causes
How To Fix
Cost to Diagnose
Comments
Add Comment

💬 Need more help? Ask Coddy for instant answers — it's free!

Code P0218 Ford Description

The flow of transmission fluid starts in the bottom pan and is drawn through the filter, control valve body assembly, transmission case and into the oil pump assembly. The oil pump assembly pressurizes the fluid and directs it to the pressure regulator valve where it becomes the main supply of fluid to the various components and hydraulic circuits in the transmission. Hot fluid exiting the torque converter flows through the converter clutch apply valve and into the transmission cooler lines to the oil cooler located in the vehicle radiator (and auxiliary cooler if equipped). From the cooler, fluid returns to cool and lubricate the front of the transmission. In forward drive ranges, D4 fluid from the manual valve is routed through an orificed cup plug in the rear of the transmission case to feed the rear lube fluid circuit.

OBDII Code P0218 Ford - Transmission Fluid Temperature Over Temperature Condition - AutoCodes.com — P0218 Ford Code - Transmission Fluid Temperature Over Temperature Condition

What does this mean?

What are the Possible Causes of the DTC P0218 Ford?

Low transmission fluid level
Transmission cooling system concerns

How to Fix the DTC P0218 Ford?

Review the 'Possible Causes' above and visually examine the corresponding wiring harness and connectors. Check for damaged components and inspect connector pins for signs of being broken, bent, pushed out, or corroded.

What is the Cost to Diagnose the Code?

Labor: 1.0

To diagnose the P0218 Ford code, it typically requires 1.0 hour of labor. Rates vary by location, vehicle, and shop. Many shops charge between $80–$150 per hour; dealerships and metro areas may be higher, independents may be lower.

Need more information about the P0218 Ford code?

Need more information on how to fix the P0218 Ford code? Get Access to Factory Service Manuals

Need Help with the Code?

Get the P0218 Ford code diagnosed by a professional: Find a repair shop in your area

Information for Specific Ford Models

P0218 2006 Ford Fusion — Transmission Fluid Temperature Over Temperature Condition
P0218 2007 Ford Fusion — Transmission Fluid Temperature Over Temperature Condition
P0218 2008 Ford Fusion — Transmission Fluid Temperature Over Temperature Condition
P0218 2009 Ford Fusion — Transmission Fluid Temperature Over Temperature Condition
P0218 2010 Ford Fusion — Transmission Fluid Temperature Over Temperature Condition
P0218 2011 Ford Fusion — Transmission Fluid Temperature Over Temperature Condition
P0218 2012 Ford Fusion — Transmission Fluid Temperature Over Temperature Condition

About the author: William Orellana is a Master Mechanic and Mechanical Engineer with over 30 years of experience diagnosing and repairing vehicles. Learn more about his background.