P0D5C judges the power the charger feeds into the traction battery against what it draws from the grid. GM's first-generation Volt and ELR charger module calculates high-voltage output power and flags it when it exceeds AC input power times about 2 plus 30 W (2011) or 120 W (2014 and 2016 ELR), for 1.6 of 2 s, Type A. The 2016 Volt checks the opposite direction: efficiency below 67 % of the nominal value for the coolant temperature and input power, with at least 600 W commanded on Level 1 or 2 charging, sets a Type B fault. Ford stores P0D5C in the secondary OBD module of the 2020 Lincoln Aviator plug-in hybrid; SSM 49289 cures a MIL after charging by reprogramming that module.
High severity. Can I keep driving?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.
Symptoms
- MIL on after a charging session
- Charging slower than expected
- Charging interrupted
Most likely causes
- Power stage of the charger degraded, efficiency too low
- Module software miscalculates power (Ford SOBDM update)
- Output voltage/current or AC input measurement inaccurate
- Insufficient cooling of the power electronics during charging
What to check, in order
Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.
What each character of P0D5C means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 0: Generic code: same on every make
- D: Subsystem depends on the code range
- 5C: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P0D5C?
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 P0D5C?
The most common causes are: power stage of the charger degraded, efficiency too low; module software miscalculates power (Ford SOBDM update); output voltage/current or AC input measurement inaccurate.
Related codes
- P0D5BBattery Charger 14 Volt Output Power Performance
- P0D4EBattery Charger Hybrid/EV Battery Output Voltage Sensor Circuit Low
- P0D4FBattery Charger Hybrid/EV Battery Output Voltage Sensor Circuit High
- P0D53Battery Charger Hybrid/EV Battery Output Current Sensor Circuit Low
- P0D54Battery Charger Hybrid/EV Battery Output Current Sensor Circuit High
- P0D22Battery Charger A Output Current Performance
Sources
- gsi.ext.gm.com: 11OBDG01 HYBRID Diagnostics
- gsi.ext.gm.com: 14OBDG01 Hybrid Diagnostics
- gsi.ext.gm.com: 16OBDG01 Hybrid Diagnostics
- static.nhtsa.gov: MC 10181932 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.