Fault Code Lookup › Powertrain codes › P205C

P205C Powertrain · generic range, no listed definition

P205C fault code: what 6 owners reported

P205C sits in the generic powertrain range (engine, transmission, fuel and emissions), but its SAE definition is not in CarHooq's list, so this page shows only what owners reported. What it meant in practice is below, from 6 complaints owners filed with NHTSA. Updated November 9, 2026.

  • 6owner reports
  • 3car models
  • 0mention a crash
  • 0mention a fire
  • 2012–2016model years

Which cars get code P205C?

Every model whose owners mentioned P205C in a complaint, most reports first. Each year opens that car's full problem report. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.

Where does P205C show up?

By brand

  • Volkswagen4
  • Ford1
  • Chevrolet1

Component the owner filed it under

  1. Fuel/Propulsion System5 (83.3%)
  2. Engine And Engine Cooling1 (16.7%)

Is there a recall for P205C?

The others concern the component owners file this code under (Fuel/Propulsion System) on the same cars; they may or may not relate to the code. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery: Fuel Pump General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange… NHTSA campaign 18V358000 · May 31, 2018 · Affected cars

2016 Chevrolet Colorado. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Fuel System, Diesel VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 PASSAT VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 18, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 1, 2011. DURING ASSEMBLY, THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A DIESEL FUEL FILTER ELEMENT THAT MAY NOT SEAL CORRECTLY. NHTSA campaign 12V146000 · April 5, 2012 · Affected cars

2012 Volkswagen Passat. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

What happened when owners saw P205C?

6 of the 6 reports, spread across the models above, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.

I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW FROM MY LOCAL VW DEALER. AT APPROXIMATELY 48,300 MILES - ADBLUE SYSTEM THROWS A CODE. CODE P205C MEANING THE AD BLUE HEATER IS NON FUNCTIONAL. THIS PART IS CONNECTED WITH THE EMISSIONS SINCE IT IS SUPPOSE TO REDUCE THE NOX EMITTED. I FEEL THIS IS CONNECTED WITH THE EMISSION SYSTEM AND SHOULD FALL UNDER THE EMISSION WARRANTY.
2013 Volkswagen PassatFuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 10882757 · Jul 5, 2016
THE DEF MODULE KIT WAS REPLACED ON OCTUBRE 7 AND THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN THE CODES ARE P203C, P204C AND P205C. THESE CODES ARE RELATED WITH THE DEF FLUID AND MY TRUCK HAD THE LOW DEF MESSAGE ON TWICE IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS EVEN THOUGH THE TRUCK STILL HAS DEF (FLUID) IN THE TANK.
2016 Chevrolet ColoradoFuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11281862 · Nov 22, 2019
I WAS DRIVING AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THE CODE WAS P205C, WHICH REDUCTANT TANK TEMPERATURE SENSOR CIRCUIT LOW. I WAS TOLD BY THE FORD DEALER THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PART FROM TRUCKS MADE FROM AUG 2009 TO OCT 23 2012 AND MY TRUCK WAS MADE ON NOV 5, 2012. MY TRUCK MISSED BEING A PART OF THIS RECALL BY LESS THAN 2 WEEKS! I THINK THAT IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE MORE VIN NUMBERS CORRESPONDING TO TRUCKS MANUFACTURED LATER.
2013 Ford F-250Fuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11118222 · Aug 7, 2018
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD CODES READ. THE CODE WAS P205C AND THIS INDICATES THE EMISSIONS ADBLUE HEATER AND SENSOR HAD A PROBLEM. THE UNIT (HEATER AND SENSOR) IN THE ADBLUE TANK IS A NON SERVICEABLE UNIT AND MUST BE REPLACED. OVER $950.00 TO REPLACE. HAPPENED AT 50,466 MILES AND DEALER HAD NO HELP EVEN THOUGH A LOT OF TDI'S ARE HAVING IDENTICAL PROBLEMS. SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN DESIGN, MANY MANY TDI'S ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.
2012 Volkswagen PassatUnknown Or OtherNHTSA complaint 10825560 · Feb 11, 2016
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD CODES READ. THE CODE WAS P205C AND THIS INDICATES THE EMISSIONS ADBLUE HEATER AND SENSOR HAD A PROBLEM. THE UNIT (HEATER AND SENSOR) IN THE ADBLUE TANK IS A NON SERVICEABLE UNIT AND MUST BE REPLACED. OVER $750.00 TO REPLACE. ALL THE EFFICIENCY OF TDI JUST WENT UP IN SMOKE. HAPPENED AT 4,000 MILES PAST WARRANTY AND DEALER HAD NO HELP EVEN THOUGH A LOT OF TDI'S ARE HAVING IDENTICAL PROBLEMS. SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN DESIGN, MANY MANY TDI'S ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
2012 Volkswagen PassatEngine And Engine Cooling, Fuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 10706206 · Apr 17, 2015
ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 36900 MILES, 900 MILES PASSED THE MANUFACTURE WARRANTY. THE ERROR CODE READ: P205C (REDUCTANT TANK TEMPERATURE SENSOR). IT WAS A FAULTY SENSOR IN THE ADBLUE TANK FROM A TDI CAR. ALREADY LOTS OF OWNERS HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP. *TR
2012 Volkswagen PassatFuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 10639449 · Sep 26, 2014

P205C: questions drivers ask

What does code P205C mean?

P205C sits in the generic powertrain range (engine, transmission, fuel and emissions), but its SAE definition is not in CarHooq's list, so CarHooq shows only what owners reported. 6 owners reported it to NHTSA, most often for the Volkswagen Passat (4), Chevrolet Colorado (1), Ford F-250 (1); their reports describe what happened.

Which cars get code P205C most often?

In NHTSA owner complaints, P205C is mentioned most for the Volkswagen Passat (4), Chevrolet Colorado (1), Ford F-250 (1), across 3 models and model years 2012 to 2016. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.

Is there a recall for code P205C?

No NHTSA recall text names P205C directly. 2 recalls on the cars that report this code concern the same component owners name most (Fuel/Propulsion System); they may or may not relate to the code. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What should I do if my car shows P205C?

Write down when the code appeared and what the car did (warning lights, loss of power, noises, speed, weather). Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer or independent workshop to read the stored freeze-frame data before anyone clears the code, and keep the repair order. If the car loses power in traffic, stop driving it. CarHooq does not diagnose: these are owner reports and official recall notices, not repair advice.

How this page was made

CarHooq read the text of every owner complaint filed with NHTSA for 19 US and European brands (model years 2012 onwards) and picked out the diagnostic trouble codes owners wrote down. This page lists every mention of P205C. The code is in a generic range but its standard definition is not in CarHooq's list, so CarHooq shows only what owners reported. Nothing here is a diagnosis. More answers: the fault code FAQ. Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain), retrieved November 9, 2026. How CarHooq reports are made.

Is something missing or wrong on this page? Tell CarHooq. One line is enough; every message is read.

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