C1253 code in owner complaints

Code C1253 is named in 36 US owner complaints. Models: 9, model years 2006–2018.

There is little data for this code or its meaning is ambiguous, so this page is not indexed.

What the code means

This is a manufacturer-specific code: the meaning depends on the make and sometimes on the year.

How to read C1253: the letter C means chassis (brakes, ABS, steering, suspension); the second digit 1 marks a manufacturer code whose meaning is set by the make; the last three characters 253 identify the specific fault.

ABS/ESC codes: wheel speed sensors, the ABS hydraulic unit and pump, brake booster, pressure and yaw sensors. A hit to a wheel or suspension often damages the wheel speed sensor or its wiring, so on a damaged car this code is a reason to inspect the hub, knuckle and control arms, not just swap the sensor.

Key figures

Complaints with this code: 36
Models: 9
Model years: 2006–2018

Which models and years

Models whose owners name this code (9). Years link to the model year problems page.

Model	Years	Complaints
Toyota Prius	2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014	16
Toyota Highlander	2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2018	6
Lexus CT	2013, 2014, 2015	5
Toyota Prius V	2012, 2013	3
Toyota Highlander Hybrid	2006, 2007	2
Lexus HS	2010	1
Lexus LS	2013	1
Lexus RX	2011	1
Toyota Avalon Hybrid	2015	1

Components named together with the code

Component as the owner filed it (one complaint can list several).

Service brakes 36
Electrical system 7
Forward collision avoidance 2
Electronic stability control 1
Fuel/propulsion system 1
Other 1
Vehicle speed control 1

Complaints by model year

2006 1
2007 1
2008 3
2009 1
2010 3
2011 2
2012 8
2013 11
2014 3
2015 2
2018 1

What to do if an auction car has this code

Inspect the wheel and suspension on the impact side: the wheel speed sensor is often damaged together with the hub or knuckle.
Check whether the ABS and ESC lights stay on after start-up.
After replacing sensors or the hydraulic unit, bleeding and scan tool adaptation may be required.

What owners report

Excerpts of owner complaints in the original wording. Owner statements not verified by the regulator; personal data removed.

The vehicle was not driven after the failure and was transported to a Toyota dealership for diagnosis. The dealer confirmed a brake-system fault and recorded diagnostic trouble codes C1241, C1252, C1253, and C1256.
Toyota Prius 2013 · 2026-10
This happened more than once while driving and I almost crashed because I couldn't stop the car in time. A scan later showed codes C1252 (brake booster pump motor on-time abnormally long), C1253 (pump motor relay fault), and C1256 (accumulator pressure low), pointing to a failure in the brake booster pump/accumulator…
Toyota Prius 2013 · 2026-10
The suspected failed component is the brake actuator / ABS actuator assembly. A diagnostic scan retrieved fault codes C1252 (Brake Booster Pump Motor ON Time Abnormally Long), C1253 (Pump Motor Relay Malfunction), and C1256 (Accumulator Low Pressur
Toyota Prius 2012 · 2025-12

Related codes

Sources: public official US data (owner complaints) and the SAE J2012 standard. Complaints are owner statements not verified by the regulator. A code from a complaint does not replace a scan tool diagnosis. Data updated 2026-11-10.