Low, degraded or contaminated transmission fluid reducing clutch apply pressure; Worn or burnt friction plates in the clutch or brake pack for element A; Faulty shift solenoid or pressure control solenoid for element A that is not applying pressure; Valve body wear, sticking valves or internal hydraulic leaks, including worn seals on the clutch piston; Wiring or connector fault between the transmission control unit and the solenoid or speed sensors; Faulty input or output speed sensor giving a false slip reading; Outdated or faulty transmission control unit calibration where the manufacturer has issued a known update.

P07A2

Transmission Friction Element A Performance/Stuck Off.

Generic
Powertrain
Generic code
High severity

How this code is built

P: SystemPowertrain
0: Defined bySAE, the same on every car
7: AreaTransmission
A2: FaultThe specific fault in that area

What it means

P07A2 means the transmission control unit has detected that friction element A (a clutch or brake pack inside the automatic gearbox) is not engaging when commanded, so it is behaving as if it is stuck off. The control unit usually sees this as excessive input speed slip or a wrong gear ratio compared with the gear it requested. Which clutch or brake is 'element A' depends on the vehicle and gearbox, so the exact gears affected vary by model.

Symptoms

Engine revs rise without matching acceleration (flare) on certain gear changes
Slipping or no drive in one or more gears
Harsh, delayed or erratic shifts
Gearbox stuck in a limp-home gear
Transmission warning light or malfunction indicator lamp on

Possible causes

Low, degraded or contaminated transmission fluid reducing clutch apply pressurelikely
Worn or burnt friction plates in the clutch or brake pack for element Alikely
Faulty shift solenoid or pressure control solenoid for element A that is not applying pressurepossible
Valve body wear, sticking valves or internal hydraulic leaks, including worn seals on the clutch pistonpossible
Wiring or connector fault between the transmission control unit and the solenoid or speed sensorspossible
Faulty input or output speed sensor giving a false slip readingrare
Outdated or faulty transmission control unit calibration where the manufacturer has issued a known updaterare

How to diagnose

Read all stored codes and freeze frame data, noting gear, temperature, speed and load when the fault set
Check for any manufacturer service bulletins or known issues for the model and gearbox
Check transmission fluid level and condition (colour, smell, debris) following the correct procedure for that gearbox, as some are sealed and need a set fluid temperature
Inspect wiring and connectors to the transmission solenoids and speed sensors for damage, corrosion or fluid ingress
Use live data to compare commanded gear, input speed and output speed and look for slip in the affected gear
Test solenoid resistance and operation against the manufacturer's specification
Check line pressure and clutch apply pressure where the model allows, to find hydraulic or internal leakage
If the fluid contains clutch material, inspect the gearbox internally to judge friction element and valve body condition

How to fix

Correct the fluid level or replace degraded fluid and filter using the specified type and procedure
Repair or replace damaged wiring, connectors or speed sensors
Replace the faulty shift or pressure solenoid
Repair or replace the valve body and worn seals as needed
Overhaul or replace the gearbox if the friction element is worn or burnt
Install a manufacturer calibration update to the control unit only if a known software fault applies

Can I keep driving?

High severity

Avoid driving beyond what is needed to get the car to a workshop, as continued slipping can quickly burn clutches and cause costly gearbox damage. If the car is in limp mode or will not hold drive reliably, have it recovered.

Guide written by AI from the code's definition. Confirm with a diagnosis before replacing parts.