Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Diagnostic Trouble Code Definitions - General Information: Introduction
This article contains Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) that are defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) as of their latest revision of December 2007. The code lists are provided as a convenient look up for these codes and does not imply that the vehicle you are currently servicing use any or all of these codes. No diagnostics are provided here, just the codes and the definitions. The list only includes the SAE controlled codes. Diagnostics information for these codes, as well as the manufacturer controlled codes, should be found in the diagnostic information provided for the particular vehicle where available.
At times, manufacturers do not provide diagnostic information for all codes in their vehicles or they may have codes that some scan tools can retrieve that are not documented. It has also been reported that scan tools can report erroneous codes. If you feel we are missing diagnostic information for a particular code, please contact the Product Content Support department. Contact information can be found by clicking the "Help" link in the product.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.