P0DED: Pedestrian Alert Control Module Circuit/Open

P0DED points to an open or faulty hard-wired circuit between the powertrain side and the pedestrian alert control module, the unit that makes a quiet hybrid or EV audible at low speed. It is not a network fault, which is U013F, nor a speaker fault, which uses B0122 and B0123. No manufacturer documents P0DED publicly. The module exists because of law: US standard FMVSS 141 requires a sound whenever propulsion is active and the car is not in Park, in reverse and up to about 30 km/h, and the EU has demanded such a system for new types since July 2019. Ford calls the unit PACM; on the 2020-21 Escape Hybrid it sits in the right rear quarter (TSB 21-2271). An open line typically means a silent car, so pedestrians lose their warning and the driver usually sees a message.

Symptoms

• No artificial driving sound at low speed or in reverse
• Pedestrian alert warning message in the instrument cluster

Most likely causes

• Broken wire or loose connector at the alert module
• Blown fuse or interrupted supply to the module
• Internal fault of the pedestrian alert module

What to check, in order

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

1. Check the battery and grounds
2. Check the continuity of the wire between the component and the control module.
3. Clear the code and see if it returns
4. If it is a reference voltage code, disconnect sensors one at a time and see if the voltage recovers
5. Check whether a software update is available
6. Do not replace the control module without a full diagnosis

Good to know

• Repair difficulty: medium

What each character of P0DED means

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

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with code P0DED?

It depends on the symptoms. If the car is running normally you can go to a repair shop; if it goes into limp mode, drive as little as possible.

What causes code P0DED?

The most common causes are: broken wire or loose connector at the alert module; blown fuse or interrupted supply to the module; internal fault of the pedestrian alert module.

Related codes

• P0DEEPedestrian Alert Control Module Circuit Low
• P0DEFPedestrian Alert Control Module Circuit High
• U013FLost Communication With Pedestrian Alert Control Module
• B0122Pedestrian Alert Speaker A
• B0123Pedestrian Alert Speaker B

Sources

• law.cornell.edu: 571.141
• en.wikipedia.org: Electric vehicle warning sounds
• static.nhtsa.gov: MC 10200759 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.