P26CB: Electric engine coolant pump not performing as commanded, or stuck off

Engine coolant pump performance / stuck off

Severity: Inspect soon

P26CB means the electric water pump is not moving coolant as commanded, so the engine can overheat. Owners of 2018-2019 Toyota Camry and RAV4 report failed pumps, lost coolant and high-temperature warnings with this code. Check the coolant and temperature gauge and get it diagnosed soon.

It gets more serious if:

Stop: The temperature gauge climbs, a high coolant temperature message appears, steam comes from under the hood, or the coolant level drops. Pull over and switch off; driving an overheating engine can destroy it.

Source: how we rate severity

P26CB in short

P26CB means the engine computer commanded the electric water pump but it is not turning at the right speed, or is stuck off. On 2018-2019 Toyota Camry and RAV4 with the 2.5L engine, a failed pump is the usual finding. Watch the temperature gauge and get it checked soon; stop if it overheats.

Many newer engines use an electric water pump that the engine computer drives at whatever speed it needs. The pump reports back its actual speed, and P26CB sets when the pump does not reach the commanded speed or appears stuck off. Toyota's sub-code P26CB71 reads 'electric water pump speed stuck'.

Because the pump moves coolant through the engine, a pump that has stopped can overheat the engine quickly. Owners of 2018-2019 Camry and RAV4 with the A25A 2.5L engine report P26CB followed by a high coolant temperature warning, coolant loss and dealer-replaced water pumps.

Not every case is a dead pump. Toyota changed the engine computer logic for P26CB71 on some 2018 Camrys, and later Toyota tips list pump body and connector leaks alongside related pump circuit codes (P26CA). Genesis has a bulletin for the same code from a stuck impeller in a separate intercooler coolant pump on the GV70 3.5T, and Land Rover lists it with the cooling fan running flat out on the 2020 Discovery.

Most likely causes

Cause 1: Failed or seized electric water pump
Supported by vehicle data
Why it ranks here
Owners of 2018-2019 Camry and RAV4 report P26CB with dealer-diagnosed water pump failure and coolant loss, and Toyota tips for A25A engines list P26CB71 with leaks from the pump body or connector. Genesis traces the same code to a stuck pump impeller.
What would change this
Rises if coolant is low, the pump body or connector is wet, or the pump does not respond when commanded with a scan tool; falls if the pump runs and the code does not return after a software update.
Cause 2: Engine computer logic (2018 Camry four-cylinder)
Supported by vehicle data
Why it ranks here
Toyota bulletin T-SB-0323-17 says some 2018 Camry four-cylinders set P26CB71 and the engine computer logic was revised to address it.
What would change this
Applies to the listed Camry; rises if the update has not been done and the pump checks out.
How to test the engine control module (ecm / pcm)
Cause 3: Low coolant or air in the cooling system
Possible — needs testing
Why it ranks here
A pump running without enough coolant cannot reach the expected performance, and owners report coolant loss with this code. No bulletin names it as a separate cause, so it is a check rather than a diagnosis.
What would change this
Rises if the reservoir is low or the code followed cooling system work; falls if the system is full and bled.
Cause 4: Pump connector or wiring fault
Possible — needs testing
Why it ranks here
Toyota's A25A tips list leaks at the pump's electrical connector and pump circuit codes (P26CA14, P26CA31) alongside P26CB71.
What would change this
Rises if P26CA codes are also stored or coolant has reached the connector.

What to test first

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

Step 1: With the engine cold, check the coolant reservoir level and look for coolant around the water pump and its connector. Never open a hot radiator or reservoir cap.
Low risk
Warning:Hot coolant is under pressure and can scald. Only check with the engine fully cold.
- IfCoolant is low or the pump area is wet
  It meansThe pump is likely leaking or has failed.
  Points to: Failed or seized electric water pump
- IfCoolant is full and dry
  It meansCheck for bulletins and have the pump tested.
  Go to step 2
Step 2: Have a shop read all codes, check for bulletins and software updates, and command the water pump with a scan tool while watching its reported speed.
Best left to a shopTool: scan tool, service information
Warning:The test runs the engine and cooling system hot. Leave it to a shop.
- IfA software update applies (2018 Camry four-cylinder)
  It meansUpdate the engine computer and retest.
  Points to: Engine computer logic (2018 Camry four-cylinder)
- IfThe pump does not respond or runs slow
  It meansReplace the pump.
  Points to: Failed or seized electric water pump
- IfP26CA circuit codes are also stored
  It meansCheck the pump connector and wiring.
  Points to: Pump connector or wiring fault

Symptoms

Check engine light
Coolant level dropping or coolant leak near the water pump
Cooling fan running at high speed all the time (Land Rover Discovery)
Temperature gauge rising or high coolant temperature warning Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

How to fix

Step 1: With the engine cold, check the coolant level and top up with the coolant your owner's manual specifies.
Warning:Never open the cap on a hot engine.
Step 2: Ask a dealer whether a bulletin or software update covers P26CB on your vehicle.

On your vehicle

Toyota

2018–2019 · Camry · A25A-FKS
Supported by vehicle data
Owners report P26CB with failed electric water pumps, coolant loss and high-temperature warnings. On 2018 four-cylinders, Toyota also revised the engine computer logic for P26CB71 (T-SB-0323-17).
2019–2020 · RAV4 · A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS
Supported by vehicle data
Owners report P26CB71 with the electric water pump failing and overheating; Toyota's tip for 2020 A25A engines lists the code with pump body or connector leaks.

T-SB-0323-17Status unverified
Toyota T-SB-0323-17: MIL with P26CB71 (electric water pump speed stuck)
2018camry · issued December 8, 2017 · NHTSA 10140594
Some 2018 Camry four-cylinders set P26CB71; the engine computer logic was revised and the bulletin gives the repair procedure.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
T-TT-0614-20Status unverified
Toyota T-TT-0614-20: A25A, P26CB71/P26CA14/P26CA31 or water pump leak
2020rav4, camry, avalon, highlander · A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS · issued May 28, 2020 · NHTSA 10176705
Some 2020 models with A25A engines may set P26CB71, P26CA14 and/or P26CA31 and/or leak coolant from the electric water pump body or connector.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
T-TT-0714-22Status unverified
Toyota T-TT-0714-22: A25A, MIL with P26CA codes and P26CB71
2022–2023camry, rav4, highlander, sienna, venza, avalon · A25A-FKS, A25A-FXS · issued November 7, 2022 · NHTSA 10227905
Some 2022-2023 vehicles with A25A engines may set P26CA12, P26CA14, P26CB71, P26CA31 and/or P26CE37.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Land Rover

2020 · Discovery
Supported by vehicle data
Land Rover lists P26CB-72 with P2B61-73 when the cooling fan runs constantly at high speed (LTB02030).

JLRTB02030NAS1Status unverified
Land Rover LTB02030: cooling fan always on high with P2B61-73 and P26CB-72
2019–2020discovery, discovery-sport, range-rover, range-rover-sport, range-rover-evoque, range-rover-velar · issued March 20, 2020 · NHTSA 10173508
Loud noise from the cooling fan running constantly at high speed, with P2B61-73 and P26CB-72 stored.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

No curated relationships for P26CB yet.

All Engine cooling (thermostat) codes

P26CB questions

Can I keep driving with P26CB?

Only gently and while watching the temperature gauge. If it rises, a warning appears or coolant is dropping, pull over and switch off, because the pump may not be moving coolant.

Is a Toyota P26CB water pump covered by warranty?

Coverage depends on age, mileage and your warranty terms. Ask the dealer to check your VIN for bulletins and any applicable coverage before paying for a pump.

Sources and review

TAT Scandata: P26CB Engine Coolant Pump Performance/Stuck Off — Technical Assistance Team (TAT), Australia
Toyota T-TT-0614-20: A25A engines, P26CB71/P26CA14/P26CA31 or water pump coolant leak — Toyota Motor Sales / NHTSA , May 28, 2020
NHTSA complaint ODI 11681883: 2018 Toyota Camry, failed water pump with P26CB71 and high coolant temperature — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (complaint flat file) , August 20, 2025
NHTSA complaint ODI 11767567: 2019 Toyota RAV4 2.5L A25A-FKS, P26CB71 and overheating — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (complaint flat file) , September 28, 2026
NHTSA complaint ODI 11741848: 2018 Toyota Camry, P26CB, dealer replaced water pump — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (complaint flat file) , May 27, 2026
Genesis 25-01-062G: GV70 3.5T, P26CB00 from stuck intercooler electric water pump — Genesis Motor America / NHTSA , September 19, 2025
Toyota T-SB-0323-17: 2018 Camry four-cylinder, MIL with P26CB71 (electric water pump speed stuck) — Toyota Motor Sales / NHTSA , December 8, 2017
Toyota T-TT-0714-22: 2022-2023 A25A engines, MIL with P26CA and P26CB71 codes — Toyota Motor Sales / NHTSA , November 7, 2022
Land Rover LTB02030: cooling fan always at high speed, P2B61-73 and P26CB-72 — Jaguar Land Rover North America / NHTSA , March 20, 2020

Last reviewed: October 15, 2026
Written by: Saurabh K.
Editorial review: Pending
Technician review: Technician review pending

This page explains what a code usually means; it is not a substitute for a professional inspection. How we source and review · Report an error

Severity: Inspect soon

Most likely causes

Cause 1: Failed or seized electric water pump

Cause 2: Engine computer logic (2018 Camry four-cylinder)

Cause 3: Low coolant or air in the cooling system

Cause 4: Pump connector or wiring fault

What to test first

Step 1: With the engine cold, check the coolant reservoir level and look for coolant around the water pump and its connector. Never open a hot radiator or reservoir cap.

Step 2: Have a shop read all codes, check for bulletins and software updates, and command the water pump with a scan tool while watching its reported speed.