P0C00: Drive Motor A Current Low

P0C00 reports that the current of drive motor A is lower than the controller expects for the commanded torque, the counterpart of P0C01 (current high). No manufacturer documents this exact code publicly; GM and Stellantis use only P0C01 from this group. CARB requires hybrids to monitor electric motor performance. Too little current points to a high-resistance three-phase joint, an open winding path or an inverter that cannot drive the phases. GM checks a missing phase separately as P0C05. The driver usually notices weak electric drive and a warning lamp; the vehicle may switch to engine-only or limp mode.

Symptoms

• Weak or missing electric drive torque
• Malfunction indicator lamp or hybrid system warning
• Vehicle runs on the engine only or in limp mode

Most likely causes

• High-resistance or loose three-phase connection at motor A or the inverter
• Inverter power stage for motor A not delivering current
• Open or damaged winding in drive motor A

What to check, in order

Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.

1. Read the codes with a hybrid-compatible scanner and write down the freeze frame data
2. With the connector unplugged, check whether the signal wire is making contact with ground.
3. Make sure the battery cooling air intake is clean
4. Check the 12 V auxiliary battery, which can also trigger warnings
5. Leave any high-voltage measurements to a specialized repair shop

Good to know

• It can trigger limp mode.
• It affects emissions.

What each character of P0C00 means

• P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
• 0: Generic code: same on every make
• C: Subsystem depends on the code range
• 00: Specific fault in that system

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with code P0C00?

If the car still runs, drive as little as possible and go to a specialized repair shop. Do not touch the orange cables: they carry high voltage.

What causes code P0C00?

The most common causes are: high-resistance or loose three-phase connection at motor A or the inverter; inverter power stage for motor A not delivering current; open or damaged winding in drive motor A.

Related codes

• P0BFFDrive Motor A Current
• P0C01Drive Motor A Current High
• P0C03Drive Motor B Current Low
• P0C05Drive Motor A Phase U-V-W Circuit/Open
• P0BFDDrive Motor A Phase U-V-W Current Sensor Correlation
• P0A78Drive Motor A Inverter Performance

Sources

• law.cornell.edu: 13 CCR 1968.2
• gsi.ext.gm.com: 16OBDG02 Hybrid Diagnostics
• static.nhtsa.gov: MC 11029775 0001

Values and procedures vary by manufacturer. If it affects brakes, steering, fuel or high voltage, see a professional. Updated: 2026-11-04. How we build these pages.