Like was said earlier, there are two APS's (Accelerator position sensor) on the car for safety reasons. When one fails, the car will go into "limp" mode so you will know that there is a problem. Whether it is a sensor, wire, or module, only a proper diagnosis will tell. If I remember correctly, you have to have a fault with the APS circuit to set the APS code, so I don't think that an air filter would cause the problem. However, a dirty, sticking throttle plate could. In reality, if the air filter was that dirty, you will have a serious fuel trim issue.