Honda
IMA motor drive module (MDM) overheating. Electric assist is cut; check the IMA cooling fan and vents.
P1438 fault code: what it means
P1438: IMA motor drive module (MDM) overheating. Electric assist is cut; check the IMA cooling fan and vents.
Usual causes, most likely first
- IMA cooling fan or air vents blocked
- MDM/inverter fault
P1438 by make
What the repair usually costs
- Radiator cooling fan motor or fan assemblyNZ$350–NZ$1,280 · A$330–A$1,210
- Hybrid battery cooling fan and duct clean (Prius / Aqua / Corolla)NZ$100–NZ$240 · A$110–A$260
- Hybrid battery cooling fan and duct clean (Camry / RAV4 / Estima / Lexus)NZ$140–NZ$320 · A$150–A$350
- Hybrid battery cooling fan motor replaceNZ$210–NZ$650 · A$220–A$660
Not sure what P1438 means on your car? Ask Credov.
Before you clear it
Write the code down or photograph the scanner first. A code that comes straight back after clearing points to a fault that is still there. A car whose codes were cleared just before you arrived may be hiding one: the scanner's readiness monitors show "not ready" for a while after codes are cleared.
Researched by Credov from manufacturer and workshop sources. A fault code points to where a fault may be; a workshop confirms it with a diagnosis. Browse all fault codes.