The Lemon Index

Check engine light · Engine codes

C1256: Manufacturer-specific code.

Chassis · ManufacturerC1256
What it means

C1256 is a manufacturer-specific code, so its exact meaning depends on the make.

How serious

Depends on what it means on your make. Get it read before a long drive.

Where a shop starts

Have a shop read it with the maker's own scan tool first.

Owners named C1256 in 71 complaints to the U.S. government, most often on the Toyota Prius.

Models that report it most

Complaints that name C1256, by model. Raw counts, not a failure rate: popular models get more complaints. Tap a model for its years, mileage and what owners say fixed it.

C1256 by model: C1256 Toyota Prius (34) · C1256 Toyota Highlander (13)

The details

What C1256 means

C1256 is a manufacturer-specific code: each carmaker decides what it means, so the same code can point to different problems on different brands. We haven't verified its meaning yet. A dealer or a scanner with the maker's software can tell you exactly what it means on your car.

Owners who reported it drive: Toyota (59), Lexus (11), Ford (1).

What owners describe
  • Brakes or ABS act up: 99% of complaints
  • Warning lights and electrical faults: 31% of complaints
  • Loses power or goes into limp mode: 3% of complaints

Share of complaints naming the code whose text also mentions each problem.

Model years that report C1256 most

2008 Toyota Prius (8), 2008 Toyota Highlander (6), 2012 Toyota Prius (5), 2013 Toyota Prius (5), 2006 Toyota Highlander (4), 2010 Toyota Prius (4).

Related codes

C1254 C1253 C1252 C1250 C1247 C1246 C1242 C1241

Counts: NHTSA owner complaints whose text names C1256. A complaint is an owner's report, not a diagnosis. Meanings: the standard SAE J2012 definitions in our own words; manufacturer codes only where verified for that make. General information, not repair advice for your car.

Updated · Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data

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