P0741 Torque Converter Clutch Stuck Off
Get it checked soon
The torque converter clutch, which locks the engine to the transmission at cruising speed, is not engaging properly. Low or worn fluid, the clutch solenoid or the converter itself is the usual cause. Drivable, but get it checked soon.
- Safe to drive?
- Yes, fix soon
- Typical cost at a shop
- $125-$356 RepairPal national averages, parts and labor
- Emissions test
- Yes, while the check engine light is on, most OBD emissions tests fail the car.
Watch engine and transmission speeds live, where your car shows them, to see if the converter clutch slips.
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Codes and live sensors are free in the app. Obie, the AI mechanic, is part of ScanMyCar Pro.
What it means
An automatic transmission connects to the engine through a fluid coupling, the torque converter. At steady speed, a clutch inside it locks so nothing slips. P0741 means the computer commanded that clutch to lock but saw too much difference between engine speed and transmission input speed: it is slipping or not applying.
The technical version
The transmission computer commands the torque converter clutch (TCC) through a solenoid and compares engine rpm with turbine (input shaft) speed. With the clutch applied, the slip should be close to zero. P0741 sets when slip stays too high while the clutch is commanded on. Low or degraded fluid, a sticking TCC solenoid or valve, internal leaks and a worn converter clutch are the common causes. P0740 points to the solenoid's electrical circuit instead.
Official name: Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance or Stuck Off.
Symptoms
- Higher rpm than usual at highway speed.
- Worse fuel economy.
- Shudder at light throttle around 30 to 50 mph on some cars.
- The transmission runs hotter.
Causes, most likely first
| Cause | How likely | How to tell |
|---|---|---|
| Low, old or burned transmission fluid | common | The level is low, or the fluid is dark and smells burned. |
| A sticking TCC solenoid or valve body problem | common | Other shift or solenoid codes come with it. |
| A worn torque converter clutch | common | High mileage, shudder, and fluid and solenoid check out. |
| Wiring or connector problems at the transmission | less common | P0740 or other circuit codes with it. |
| A transmission computer software issue | rare | A carmaker bulletin offers an update. |
How likely is our ranking from repair data and common practice, not a published rate.
What the live data shows
Some cars show the TCC command, slip speed or both. At steady highway speed with the clutch commanded on, slip should drop close to zero and engine rpm should fall a little. If slip stays high, or engine rpm flares while the command says on, the clutch is not holding. Transmission fluid temperature is also worth watching where your car shows it.
What to check first, in order
-
Check the transmission fluid level and condition, the way your manual describes.
Low or burned fluid is a common cause.
What the data shows: No reading needed.
Cost: free to look
-
Watch TCC command, slip and rpm at steady highway speed.
It confirms the clutch is not holding.
What the data shows: Slip close to zero when the clutch is on.
Cost: no cost if you have a scanner
-
Change the fluid if it is old or due.
Fresh fluid can help a sticking solenoid.
What the data shows: Slip and shudder improve.
Cost: $294-$356 at a shop (Transmission fluid change, RepairPal)
-
Have a transmission shop test the TCC solenoid and the converter.
The next step if fluid is not the answer.
What the data shows: Not a scanner step.
Cost: $125-$183 at a shop (Check engine light diagnosis (shop), RepairPal)
Is it safe to drive?
Get it checked soon
Yes, fix soon. Slipping makes heat, and heat wears a transmission out.
Usually drivable, but the converter slips at cruising speed, which makes extra heat and wastes fuel. Heat is the main enemy of an automatic transmission. Get it checked soon, and avoid towing and long hot highway runs until then.
Stop driving and get help if
- The transmission slips badly, will not shift or a transmission temperature warning comes on.
- You smell burning fluid or see fluid leaking.
What it costs
| Repair | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Check engine light diagnosis (shop)RepairPal, updated September 3, 2026 | $125-$183 |
| Transmission fluid changeRepairPal, updated September 3, 2026 | $294-$356 |
National averages for the full job at a shop, parts and labor, from RepairPal (updated September 3, 2026). Your price depends on the car and the area. Many of the first checks on this page cost nothing with a scanner. RepairPal publishes no separate estimate for the TCC solenoid or the torque converter. A torque converter job means removing the transmission, so it costs far more than a fluid change; get a quote for your car.
Can I clear it? Will it come back?
After the repair, clear the code and drive at steady highway speeds. If the clutch locks and the code stays away, the fix worked.
Will it fail an emissions test?
Yes, while the check engine light is on, most OBD emissions tests fail the car.
Related codes
Also related, no guide yet: P0740, P0742, P0743.
How Obie handles P0741
Obie reads engine and transmission speeds and the TCC command where your car shows them, and tells you whether the clutch looks like it is slipping. Obie is part of ScanMyCar Pro. Codes and live sensors are free.
Questions people ask
Can I drive with P0741?
Usually, for a short time. Avoid towing and long hot drives, and get it checked soon.
Will a fluid change fix P0741?
Sometimes, if the fluid is low or old. If the clutch itself is worn, it will not.
Is P0741 the torque converter?
It can be, but check the fluid and the TCC solenoid first.
Sources
- RepairPal: P0741 code page repairpal.com
- RepairPal: Check engine light diagnosis (shop) (updated September 3, 2026) repairpal.com
- RepairPal: Transmission fluid change (updated September 3, 2026) repairpal.com
- Texas DPS emissions testing FAQ dps.texas.gov
- Arizona myazcar.com: OBD and the check engine light myazcar.com
A guide, not a diagnosis. This page describes what P0741 generally means across OBD2 cars. What is actually wrong with your car depends on its live data and its history, and any repair decision deserves a proper diagnosis, whether that is you with a scanner or a professional with a lift.