P0A43 Hybrid drive motor A position sensor signal cutting in and out

Drive Motor A Position Sensor Circuit Intermittent

P0A43 in short

P0A43 means the hybrid computer saw the position signal from electric drive motor A drop in and out. On the Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid, bulletins tie it to a short in a wiring connector inside the transmission. Get it to a dealer soon, and stop driving if power drops. The high-voltage system is not a DIY job.

Each electric drive motor in a hybrid has a position sensor that tells the hybrid control electronics where the motor's rotor is, so the inverter can feed it current at the right moment. P0A43 sets when the signal for motor A keeps cutting in and out instead of failing outright.

On the 2017–2025 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid, every bulletin we found for this code is a warranty extension for a wiring connector inside the hybrid transmission that can short. They list P0A43 with P0A3F, P0A45 and P0C1A, mention limp mode, and require software flashes of the hybrid control processors. Later versions add a motor A bearing failure, and the repair can mean replacing or rebuilding the transmission.

NHTSA opened an investigation (RQ24-004) into loss of drive power on 2017–2023 Pacifica plug-in hybrids caused by a short in an internal transmission wiring connector. The investigation summary does not name P0A43, so the link is the shared part, not a confirmed match for every car with this code.

These parts are part of a high-voltage system. Hybrid systems typically run at several hundred volts, and the orange cables and connectors are not for owners to touch or probe. Diagnosis belongs with a dealer or a hybrid-trained technician.

Most likely causes

  1. Short in the wiring connector inside the hybrid transmission (Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Every Chrysler bulletin found for P0A43 is a warranty extension for this connector on 2017–2025 Pacifica models, and each lists P0A43 as a qualifying code.
    What would change this
    Rises if P0A3F, P0A45 or P0C1A are stored too or the van has been in limp mode. Falls if the dealer finds the VIN is not covered or the repair was already done.

  2. Hybrid control processor software not up to date

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Chrysler says flashes of the hybrid control processor and auxiliary hybrid control processor are needed for the repair to work, and a 2026 bulletin tells technicians to check those flashes before ordering a power inverter module.
    What would change this
    Rises if the dealer finds an open software flash for the VIN. Falls if the modules already have current software.

  3. Drive motor A bearing failure inside the transmission

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Later versions of the XE1 extension and a 2026 bulletin for 2024–2025 models cover motor A bearing failure with the same codes, with the transmission rebuilt or replaced.
    What would change this
    Rises if the dealer finds bearing damage or reports motor noise. Falls if the fault traces to the connector alone.
    How to test the hybrid drive motor

  4. Drive motor A position sensor or its wiring (other hybrids)

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    The code title points at the motor A position sensor circuit. Outside the Pacifica we found no bulletin, so on other hybrids this is a starting point that needs the maker's tests.
    What would change this
    Rises if the dealer's circuit tests show an open, short or poor connection in the sensor wiring. Falls if the circuit tests good and a software or transmission fault is found.

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

  1. Read all stored codes with a scan tool and write down any dashboard messages. Do not open or unplug anything in the engine bay.

    Low riskTool: OBD-II scan tool

    • IfP0A3F, P0A45 or P0C1A are stored with P0A43 on a Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid

      It meansThis is the code pattern in Chrysler's warranty extensions for the internal transmission connector.

      Go to step 2

    • IfP0A43 is stored alone, or the vehicle is a different hybrid

      It meansCoverage still needs checking before any diagnosis.

      Go to step 2

  2. Give the VIN to a Chrysler dealer and ask whether warranty extension XE1 or XN1, recall 23V-010, or a hybrid control processor flash applies.

    Low riskTool: VIN lookup at a dealer

  3. Have a dealer or hybrid-trained technician run the drive motor position sensor diagnostics in the service information.

    Best left to a shopTool: factory scan tool and high-voltage safety equipment

    Warning:High voltage: the drive motors, inverter and orange cables carry hundreds of volts that can kill. Do not unplug, probe or touch them. This work needs a hybrid-trained technician who makes the system safe first.

Symptoms

  • Check engine light on
  • Vehicle goes into limp mode with reduced power Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
  • A message such as "Stop Safely - Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon" Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
  • Sudden loss of drive power while moving Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

Compare with: Check engine light with loss of power

How to fix

This is a safety-critical system, so we explain the code but don't give repair steps. Have it inspected by a qualified technician.

On your vehicle

Chrysler

  • 2017–2025 · Pacifica

    Supported by vehicle data

    On the Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid, Chrysler's warranty extensions XE1 and XN1 list P0A43 for a short in a wiring connector inside the hybrid transmission, later adding motor A bearing failure. Ask a dealer to check the VIN before paying for diagnosis. The bulletins are on NHTSA, but whether each is still current is not verified, so this is labelled vehicle data.

    Related recall campaigns: 23V-010

  • 2100823Status unverified

    Internal transmission wiring connector short warranty extension XE1

    2017–2023pacifica, voyager · issued · NHTSA 10243268

    Lists P0A43 among the qualifying codes, mentions limp mode, and requires hybrid control processor flashes as part of the repair.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 2100124Status unverified

    Internal transmission wiring connector short warranty extension XN1

    2017–2023pacifica · issued · NHTSA 10251822

    Same qualifying codes as XE1, with limp mode and module flashes.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 21-042-24Status unverified

    Internal transmission wiring connector short and motor A bearing failure warranty extension XE1

    2017–2023pacifica · issued · NHTSA 11001830

    Adds motor A bearing failure to the XE1 extension for the Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 21-025-25 REV. AStatus unverified

    Internal transmission wiring connector short and motor A bearing failure warranty extension XE1 (revision A)

    2017–2023pacifica · issued · NHTSA 11021839

    Revised XE1 extension for the Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid, same qualifying codes.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 21-001-25Status unverified

    Internal transmission wiring connector short warranty extension XN1

    2017–2023pacifica · issued · NHTSA 11012824

    XN1 repair that replaces the transmission.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 21-014-26Status unverified

    Internal transmission wiring connector short

    2017–2023pacifica · issued · NHTSA 11028767

    2026 bulletin for the Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid with the same qualifying codes.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 21-037-26Status unverified

    Internal transmission wiring connector short and motor A bearing failure

    2024–2025pacifica · issued · NHTSA 11032330

    Covers 2024–2025 Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid; the repair rebuilds the transmission.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 9100801Status unverified

    Check hybrid control processor flashes before ordering a power inverter module

    2019–2025pacifica, voyager · issued · NHTSA 11031685

    For P0A43 and related motor and inverter codes, do the HCP/AHCP flashes from active bulletins before ordering a power inverter module.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

No curated relationships for P0A43 yet.

All Hybrid and electric drive codes

P0A43 questions

Is it safe to drive with P0A43?

Only to get it checked, and only if it drives normally. If the vehicle goes into limp mode, loses power or warns that it will shut off, stop somewhere safe and have it towed.

Can I fix P0A43 myself?

No. The fault sits inside the high-voltage hybrid system and, on the Pacifica, inside the transmission. It needs a dealer or hybrid-trained technician.

Is the P0A43 repair covered on a Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid?

Often. Chrysler has warranty extensions (XE1 and XN1) that list P0A43 for 2017–2025 models. Give the VIN to a dealer to check coverage.

Sources and review

  1. Internal transmission wiring connector short warranty extension XE1 (bulletin 2100823) — FCA US LLC / NHTSA ,
  2. Internal transmission wiring connector short and motor A bearing failure warranty extension XE1 (bulletin 21-042-24) — FCA US LLC / NHTSA ,
  3. NHTSA recall query RQ24-004: loss of motive power due to an internal transmission wiring connector short (2017–2023 Chrysler Pacifica PHEV) — CarComplaints.com
  4. Internal transmission wiring connector short warranty extension XN1 (bulletin 2100124) — FCA US LLC / NHTSA ,
  5. Internal transmission wiring connector short warranty extension XN1 (bulletin 21-001-25) — FCA US LLC / NHTSA ,
  6. Internal transmission wiring connector short (bulletin 21-014-26) — FCA US LLC / NHTSA ,
  7. Check hybrid control processor flashes before ordering a power inverter module (bulletin 9100801) — FCA US LLC / NHTSA ,
  8. Internal transmission wiring connector short and motor A bearing failure warranty extension XE1 (revision A) (bulletin 21-025-25 REV. A) — FCA US LLC / NHTSA ,
  9. Internal transmission wiring connector short and motor A bearing failure (bulletin 21-037-26) — FCA US LLC / NHTSA ,
  10. Final Regulation Order: 13 CCR §1968.2, Malfunction and Diagnostic System Requirements (OBD II), 2004 and subsequent model-year passenger cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty vehicles (2015 amendments) — California Air Resources Board
  11. Maintenance and Safety of Electric Vehicles — Alternative Fuels Data Center, U.S. Department of Energy
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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