Electrical system and control unitsGeneric OBD-II codeUrgency: As soon as possible
Code P0562: low voltage in the electrical system (battery or charging)
P0562 means: system voltage low.[1][2][3][4][5] The engine control unit has measured the car's supply voltage falling below a minimum value for a certain length of time. In the typical case, Mechanic Base and PartsAvatar speak of less than 10 V for more than 60 seconds with the engine running, and FleetRabbit, of between 9 and 11 V for about a minute. The threshold is set by each manufacturer: the manual for a Saab 9-5 diesel, for example, uses less than 4 V for more than 2.1 seconds with the ignition on. With the engine running, the normal voltage is around 13.5 to 14.5 V, and with the engine off, about 12.6 V.[2][3][5][6]
What code P0562 means
The engine control unit has measured the car's supply voltage falling below a minimum value for a certain length of time. In the typical case, Mechanic Base and PartsAvatar speak of less than 10 V for more than 60 seconds with the engine running, and FleetRabbit, of between 9 and 11 V for about a minute. The threshold is set by each manufacturer: the manual for a Saab 9-5 diesel, for example, uses less than 4 V for more than 2.1 seconds with the ignition on. With the engine running, the normal voltage is around 13.5 to 14.5 V, and with the engine off, about 12.6 V.[2][3][5][6]
The code does not say what is failing: it could be the battery, the alternator, a cable, an earth or the voltage regulator. Ross-Tech, for the Volkswagen group, gives a clue: if the code appears in only one control unit, it is normally a local wiring or connector problem; if it appears in several at once, you need to look for a common cause (earth, battery or alternator). Carista adds that, as the voltage drops, other modules may store communication-loss codes.[4][7]
Low voltage affects the whole car and not just the engine: you see dimmer lights and flashing warnings, the automatic gearbox may shift badly and, in the worst case, the engine stops. The sources treat it as a warning that the charging system or the battery is failing.[1][2][3][8]
It is a generic OBD-II code (it starts with P0), so it means the same on any make; what changes from one car to another is the threshold at which it is triggered and the most likely cause.[9]
Original definition (SAE J2012): System Voltage Low[1][2][3][4][5]
Causes of P0562
From most to least likely, according to the sources.
- 1Faulty alternator, or one that does not charge enough (worn brushes, diode failure). Together with the battery, it is one of the two main causes cited by the sources, which do not agree on which is more likely.[1][2][3][6][7][10]
- 2Weak, aged or faulty battery, unable to hold the voltage under load.[1][2][3][6][7][10]
- 3Corroded or loose battery terminals, and damaged charging cables or ones with high resistance.[1][2][3][6][7][10]
- 4Poor earths (of the battery, engine to body or charging system).[1][3][4][6][7][10]
- 5Faulty voltage regulator.[1][2][3]
- 6Blown fuses in the charging system, or alternator connectors and wiring in poor condition.[1][3]
- 7Alternator belt in poor condition, not driving it properly.[1]
- 8Parasitic drain that discharges the battery while the car is parked (modules that do not go to sleep).[2][3][6]
- 9Faulty control unit: a very uncommon cause.[2][3]
Symptoms
- Engine warning light on in the instrument cluster.[2][3][7]Engine warning light: faults that cause it
- Red battery warning light on in the instrument cluster.[1][2][3][8]
- Dimmer headlights and interior lights, flashing warnings and electrical equipment working badly.[1][2][7][8]Electronic warnings: faults that cause it
- Slow or difficult starting, or the car does not start.[1][3][7]Hard to start: faults that cause it
- The engine may stall or cut out completely while you are driving.[1][2][3][6][7][8][10]Engine stalls: faults that cause it
- Jerking, difficulty accelerating or reduced-power mode.[1][2][6]Less power: faults that cause it
- Automatic gearbox that does not change gear or does so erratically.[2][3][10]
How to diagnose P0562
In order: from the most likely and cheapest to check to the most expensive.
- 1See whether the red battery warning light is on and read the code together with the other stored codes, especially those for voltage or communication between modules. If the code appears in only one module, suspect that module's wiring or connectors; if it appears in several, a common cause.[2][4][7]
- 2Clean and tighten the battery terminals and check the charging cables and the engine-to-body earths: corrosion, damaged cables, loose terminals. It is the cheapest thing to check.[1][2][3][7]
- 3Measure the battery voltage with the engine off: about 12.6 V indicates a charged battery, and Autodoc Club recommends replacing it if it drops below 12.4 V. A load test with the headlights and the cabin fan on confirms whether it holds up under demand.[1][2][6]
- 4Measure the charging voltage with the engine running. Mechanic Base and iCARZONE give about 13.5 to 14.5 V (up to 14.8 V in iCARZONE), Carista asks for 13.8 to 14.5 V at idle and at 2,000 rpm, PartsAvatar 13.2 to 14.7 V and Diariomotor more than 13.5 or 14 V depending on the car; Autodoc Club suggests replacing the alternator if it does not reach 13.8 V. The exact value is given by the manufacturer.[1][2][3][7][10][11]
- 5Check the condition and tension of the alternator belt, the charging system fuses and the alternator connectors.[1][3]
- 6If the battery goes flat while the car is parked, look for a parasitic drain, for example by pulling the fuses one by one until you locate the circuit that is drawing current.[2][6]
- 7Do a voltage drop test on the main cables and the earths, and check the supply voltage and earth of the control unit. Also consult the manufacturer's technical bulletins for your model.[3][6]
- 8Replace the battery or the alternator only if they are out of specification; then clear the code and check that it does not return.[7]
Can I keep driving with P0562?
As soon as possible
Almost all the sources that give an opinion advise against continuing to drive. Autodoc Club allows it only in a very limited way and only as far as the nearest workshop, because of the risk of a complete electrical failure while driving; Mechanic Base, although it rates it medium severity, says the best thing is to stop driving and repair the car because it can put you in a dangerous situation; iCARZONE admits short trips, but with a high risk of stalling and an instruction to repair it immediately; FleetRabbit says the vehicle should not be put into service because of the risk of stalling and of failure of the safety systems; and RACE, regarding an alternator that stops charging, explains that the car only runs on the battery's reserve for minutes or a few kilometres and that you should not try to reach your destination, because the engine can switch off and power steering and brake assistance can be lost. Carista rates it medium severity and does not say whether you can drive, and Ross-Tech notes, in the context of diagnostics on the Volkswagen group, that intermittent entries in cold weather, linked to a lower-capacity battery, can be ignored. If the battery warning light is on or the lights are losing brightness, stop as soon as it is safe and call for assistance.[1][2][4][6][7][8][10]
Parts related to code P0562
The parts that most often cause this code. The code points to the circuit, not always the part: diagnose before you buy.
Battery
Alternator
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Documented faults related to P0562
Known faults of specific engines and cars, with their repair cost, the affected years and their sources.
12 V battery: the most serious faults by engine and car
- High severityFrequency: CommonHyundai-Kia E-GMP (Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, EV6)Faulty ICCU: 12 V battery drains, charging fails and power is lostThe ICCU, which combines the on-board charger and the converter that powers the 12 V system, can fail on the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6 and EV6: it cuts AC charging, drains the 12 V battery and, in the worst case, the car loses power and stops. Hyundai and Kia have recalled units built from 2021 to 2024.Repair: €2,000–€5,000
- Medium severityFrequency: Very frequent1.5 Hybrid12 V battery going flat while parkedYes: on the hybrid Yaris and Yaris Cross, the 12 V battery can go flat within a few days while parked because of the residual draw of modules such as eCall or keyless entry. It is fixed with a software update or, if the battery is already damaged, by replacing it.
- Medium severityFrequency: Very frequent1.8 HybridThe 12V battery drains on the C-HR and Corolla hybridsYes: on the first-generation C-HR hybrid, the 12V battery is one of the most frequently reported faults: it runs flat after a few days standing or on short trips, and the car will not start. The ADAC and Toyota itself point to it as a cause of faults on the C-HR and Corolla.
- Medium severityFrequency: Very frequent2.0 and 2.5 HybridThe 12 V battery goes flat if the car sits unused for several daysYes, it is a common complaint: the 12 V battery can go flat after just a few days without using the car, because of the standby drain from the electronics (multimedia, telematics, keyless entry). With the 12 V battery very low, the hybrid system can lock itself into a safe mode.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 6 E63/E64Battery drain and loose positive cableThe battery and alternator are frequently cited by Fiches-auto, and there is a recall for the battery's positive cable, which can work loose.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalFord Galaxy IIIAcid leak from the 12 V battery (campaign 18P11)According to the fiches-auto.fr page, campaign 18P11 (August 2019) covers Galaxies built between February 2014 and February 2019 over a risk of battery acid leaking, which can worsen over time.
Alternator and starter motor: the most serious faults by engine and car
- High severityFrequency: Occasional2.2 JTDm Multijet IIAlternator cable touching the exhaust gas recirculation pipe (fire risk)An Alfa Romeo campaign covers diesel Stelvio built between 18 January 2017 and 18 September 2018: an alternator cable may rub against the exhaust gas recirculation pipe and cause a short circuit, with a fire risk in the worst case.
- Medium severityFrequency: Occasional1.7 CDTIPremature alternator wearThe Hitachi-brand alternator fitted at the factory to the 1.7 CDTI tends to wear out sooner than expected, according to a German buying guide on the Opel Astra H, with typical replacements at around 140,000 km; there are similar accounts on the Opel Meriva with this engine.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAlfa Romeo JuniorRisk of electric arcing at the 48 V starter-generator terminal on the hybrid JuniorYes: a March 2026 Safety Gate alert (campaign F60F) covers Junior MHEVs built between 27 November 2023 and 18 December 2025. The clearance between the particulate filter pipe and the 48 V starter-generator terminal cover is under 10 mm and, in damp conditions, there could be electric arcing and fire.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 3 G202025 campaign for corrosion of the starter motor relay (risk of fire)Yes: in September 2025 BMW recalled, among other models, the 2019 to 2021 330i (G20) because the starter motor relay can corrode, overheat and cause a short circuit with a risk of fire even when the car is parked.
Wiring, connectors and short circuits: the most serious faults by engine and car
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW N62 / N63Additional turbo coolant pump with a risk of short circuit and fireIn 2011 BMW recalled 5, 6 and 7 Series, X5 and X6 models built between 2007 and 2011 because of the additional turbo coolant pump: moisture, a short circuit and, in extreme cases, a fire. In 2012 there was another campaign for a crack in the pump, with a more robust version.
- Critical severityFrequency: Occasional1.6 GDi híbrido (Kappa)Main relay of the power relay assembly (overheating and fire risk)Yes, on the first units: Hyundai and Kia recalled 2016–2018 Ioniq and Niro hybrids and plug-in hybrids because the main relay that connects the high-voltage battery could come loose, overheat and, in the worst case, cause a fire.
- Critical severityFrequency: Occasional1.6 GDi híbrido (Kappa)Clutch hydraulic actuator (HCA): leak or moisture with risk of short circuit and fireYes, this is the most documented hybrid system fault: the hydraulic actuator that engages the combustion engine with the hybrid assembly has had two recalls (2018 for a leak on the Niro and 2025 for moisture in its electronic board on the Niro, Ceed and XCeed PHEV), with a risk of short circuit and fire.
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.3 TCeBlown fuel pump fuseOn the Renault Captur II and Clio V with the 1.3 TCe engine, a 20-amp fuse can blow and leave the car without an engine. According to L'argus, in April 2021 this fault still had no factory fix; the official service centre's diagnosis includes checking, and sometimes replacing, the catalytic converter.
- Critical severityFrequency: CommonRover 75Seat SRS connector fault with airbag and seatbelt warning light onAuto Express warns that the Rover 75's seat SRS connector can cause the airbags to fail, and dealers were fixing it with revised connectors. The Dutch APK inspection puts the airbag or seatbelt fault warning among the most frequent defects across almost all series.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAlfa Romeo GiuliettaShort circuit from badly routed wiring that can prevent gear shifting (KBA campaign, 2010-2015)Yes: according to Germany's KBA, on Alfa Romeo Giulietta cars built between 2010 and 2015 inadequate cable routing could cause a short circuit and, as a result, gear-shift failure.
P0562 by make
Documented faults that can trigger P0562 in each make's engines and cars.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with the P0562 code?
The prudent answer is not to, or to do so only as far as the nearest workshop. If the charging system fails, the car runs on the battery's reserve and can cut out while driving, with loss of power steering and brake assistance. The sources agree on the risk, although Carista rates it medium severity and does not take a position on driving. If the battery warning light is on, stop as soon as it is safe and call for assistance.[1][2][6][7][8][10]
What is the difference between the P0562 and the P0563?
They are opposites. The P0562 indicates that the system voltage is too low and the P0563 that it is too high. Autodoc Club attributes the P0563 to an alternator or voltage regulator that overcharges, and warns that overvoltage can damage the electronics and the battery and that continuing to drive with it is not recommended. With the P0562, on the other hand, the problem is that not enough voltage is getting through.[1][12]
Does the P0562 code mean the alternator is broken?
Not necessarily. The alternator is the cause most cited by the sources, but it could also be the battery, the terminals or cables, the earths, the voltage regulator, the belt or the charging system fuses. That is why the battery and the charging voltage are measured first, before replacing any part.[1][2][4][7]
What voltage should the battery and alternator give?
With the engine off, a charged battery is around 12.6 V and Autodoc Club recommends replacing it if it drops below 12.4 V. With the engine running, the normal charging voltage is between about 13.5 and 14.5 V: Diariomotor puts it above 13.5 or 14 V depending on the car, and Carista and PartsAvatar give slightly different ranges. Measure with a multimeter and compare with the manufacturer's figure.[1][2][3][7][11]
Why do other warnings or gearbox faults appear with the P0562?
Because with low voltage the car's modules can malfunction or lose communication with each other. Carista indicates that other modules may store communication-loss codes; Mechanic Base and PartsAvatar cite erratic or failed gear changes; and Ross-Tech observes that the same code usually appears in several modules when the cause is common, such as the battery, an earth or the alternator.[2][3][4][7]
Will I pass the MOT with code P0562?
If the code has switched on the engine warning light, no: with that light on, the inspection records a serious defect, and on Euro 5 and Euro 6 cars the ITV (Spain's roadworthiness inspection, similar to the MOT) also reads the OBD diagnostic system. Repair the fault before you go; clearing the code just before the inspection does not help either, because it counts as a serious defect.[13]
Not sure what is wrong with your car? Describe what you notice in the symptom diagnosis or see all fault codes.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Código OBD2 P0562: causas, síntomas y cómo corregirloAutodoc Club · Technical documentation · consulted 2 October 2026 · in Spanish
- P0562 Code – Meaning, Causes & How to fix itMechanic Base · Technical documentation · published 10 November 2025 · consulted 2 October 2026
- P0562 OBD Error Code: Problem & SolutionsPartsAvatar · Technical documentation · published 14 March 2023 · consulted 2 October 2026
- 16946/P0562/001378 - System Voltage: Too LowRoss-Tech Wiki · Technical documentation · consulted 2 October 2026
- P0562 - System Voltage Low (9-5 9600, 2004, V6 diesel)Saab WIS Online (Saab Workshop Information System) · Technical documentation · consulted 2 October 2026
- P0562 Code: System Voltage LowFleetRabbit · Other source · published 3 September 2026 · consulted 2 October 2026
- P0562: OBD-II code P0562 means the PCM has seen battery voltage fall below its minimum thresholdCarista · Technical documentation · consulted 2 October 2026
- Síntomas de un alternador en mal estado: cómo detectar esta averíaRACE · Motoring press · published 29 September 2026 · consulted 2 October 2026 · in Spanish
- On-board diagnosticsWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 October 2026
- P0562 Code: System Voltage Low - causes, symptoms and fixesiCARZONE · Other source · published 18 September 2025 · consulted 2 October 2026
- Cómo saber si el alternador del coche está averiadoDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 19 January 2020 · consulted 2 October 2026 · in Spanish
- Código de avería P0563 - guía paso a paso para su diagnóstico y resoluciónAutodoc Club · Technical documentation · consulted 2 October 2026 · in Spanish
- Desmontando mitos: ¿puede pasar mi coche la ITV con el testigo de «avería motor» encendido?Diariomotor · Motoring press · published 8 March 2021 · consulted 2 October 2026 · in Spanish