P0DA5 code meaning
Drive Motor B Inverter Voltage Sensor A Circuit Low
Powertrain system Generic code P0Dxx codes Check engine light
What P0DA5 means
P0DA5 reports that the rear inverter voltage signal sits at the bottom of its range, the classic result of an open circuit, a short to ground or no high voltage arriving at all. Mitsubishi sets it in the rear motor control unit of the 2018 Outlander PHEV when, with the propulsion system active, the sensor output stays below 0.5 V, roughly 10 V on the bus, for 0.3 s. If the front unit and the generator unit report undervoltage too (P1A1B, P104D), the manual inspects the high-voltage fuse, cabling, battery section voltages and bus bars; otherwise it checks the torque of the rear battery cable at both ends before replacing the rear unit. A loose cable can therefore mimic a sensor fault. The 2023 model lists the code as a minimum range check with MIL. The high side is P0DA6.
P0DA5 at a glance
- Check engine lightYes, usually on
- Emissions testCan fail
- Limp modePossible
- Repair difficultyWorkshop only
- Typical labor0.5 to 6 hours
- Clears after repairAfter a drive cycle
Symptoms of P0DA5
- MIL and plug-in hybrid warning on
- Rear motor drive switched off
- Possible no-READY condition if other units also lose voltage
Common causes of P0DA5
- PossibleRear high-voltage battery cable (P and N lines) loose or damaged
- PossibleHigh-voltage fuse not seated or loose bus bar in the battery
- PossibleSensing circuit in the rear motor control unit failed
- Less likelyFault inside the traction battery pack
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Drive motor b inverter voltage sensor aWiring harnessHybrid control module
What each part of P0DA5 means
| P | Powertrain system: engine, fuel system, ignition, emissions and transmission. |
| 0 | Generic code: it means the same on every make (SAE standard). |
| A5 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P0DA5 and any other codes stored with it: several codes together often point to one cause.
- Check for loose connectors and damaged wiring around the parts the code names.
- Check open recalls for your car: some faults are fixed for free by the dealer. Enter your VIN.
- Clear the code only after the repair. If it comes back, the fault is still there.
Buying a used car? Scan it for stored codes before you pay. A recently cleared memory can hide a problem.
Questions about P0DA5
What does P0DA5 mean?
P0DA5 means "Drive Motor B Inverter Voltage Sensor A Circuit Low". P0DA5 reports that the rear inverter voltage signal sits at the bottom of its range, the classic result of an open circuit, a short to ground or no high voltage arriving at all. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P0DA5?
Drive gently and only to a workshop. With P0DA5 the car can go into limp mode (reduced power) to protect itself.
Will P0DA5 fail an emissions test?
Yes, it can. P0DA5 is emissions-related, so most inspection programs fail a car while it is stored or while the check engine light is on.
How hard is P0DA5 to fix?
Difficulty: workshop only. A typical repair takes 0.5 to 6 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P0DA5 clear itself after the repair?
After the repair the car has to complete a drive cycle (a mix of city and highway driving) before the test runs again. Until then the readiness monitor shows "not ready", which can fail an inspection.