Verified EV diagnostic knowledge page

Tesla CP_w054

Charge port latch not engaged Fully insert charge cable or check for obstruction

Common search variants: CPw054 · CP-w054 · CP w054 · Search ignores case and common separators.

DriveNot yet established by verified evidence. The diagnostic record lists safe-to-drive status as unknown.
ChargeCharging may be affected. Verified documentation states that AC charging is limited to 16 A if the latch is not engaged. The exact DC Fast Charging / Supercharging availability or limitation is not fully established by the supplied evidence.
ServiceNot yet established by verified evidence. The diagnostic record lists service-required status as unknown.
Confidence95%

Quick answer

CP_w054 means the charge-port latch is unable to latch the charge cable in the charge-port inlet. Fully insert the charge cable or check for an obstruction.

This page separates verified manufacturer/regulator evidence from supporting material. Unsupported causes, repairs or safety conclusions are not guessed.

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1. What does CP_w054 mean?

CP_w054 means the charge-port latch is unable to latch the charge cable in the charge-port inlet. Fully insert the charge cable or check for an obstruction.

2. Technical explanation

Verified Tesla owner-documentation excerpts filed with NHTSA state that CP_w054 occurs when the charge-port latch cannot latch the cable in the inlet. If the latch is not engaged, AC charging, such as with a Mobile Connector or Wall Connector, is limited to 16 A. The provided evidence also indicates that DC Fast Charging / Supercharging is affected, but the supplied excerpt is truncated before stating the exact limitation.

3. What system is affected?

Charge-port latch and charge-port inlet.

4. How serious is this code?

Not yet established by verified evidence. The diagnostic record lists severity as unknown.

5. Symptoms you may notice

  • The vehicle displays CP_w054: “Charge port latch not engaged Fully insert charge cable or check for obstruction.”
  • The charge cable is unable to be latched in the charge-port inlet.
  • AC charging may be limited to 16 A when the latch is not engaged.
  • DC Fast Charging / Supercharging is affected, but the exact verified effect is not fully available in the supplied evidence.

6. Possible causes

  • The charge-port latch is unable to latch the charge cable in the charge-port inlet.
  • An obstruction may be preventing full insertion or latch engagement; this is indicated by the alert instruction to check for obstruction.
  • No further cause is established by verified evidence.

7. Can I still drive the vehicle?

Not yet established by verified evidence. The diagnostic record lists safe-to-drive status as unknown.

8. Can I charge the vehicle?

Charging may be affected. Verified documentation states that AC charging is limited to 16 A if the latch is not engaged. The exact DC Fast Charging / Supercharging availability or limitation is not fully established by the supplied evidence.

9. What you can safely do

  • Fully insert the charge cable.
  • Check for an obstruction, as directed by the alert.
  • Use the applicable Tesla owner documentation for charge-port opening and charging instructions.
  • Do not attempt high-voltage or charge-port-latch repairs yourself.

10. Step-by-step troubleshooting

  1. Disconnecting and reinserting the charge cable fully is supported by the alert wording.
  2. Check for an obstruction that could prevent the cable from being fully inserted or latched.
  3. No additional diagnostic procedure is established by the supplied verified evidence.

11. When to contact service

Not yet established by verified evidence. The diagnostic record lists service-required status as unknown.

12. What the service center may check

  • Not yet established by verified evidence.

13. Possible repair or resolution

  • Not yet established by verified evidence.

14. Affected vehicles

15. Related TSBs / service bulletins

  • Official NHTSA manufacturer communications containing Tesla owner-documentation text describe CP_w054, including NHTSA communication 10253658 (published March 26, 2024): https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2024/MC-10253658-9999.pdf
  • Additional supplied NHTSA communications include 10253660, 10252957, 10252958, 10252951, 10252949, 10251060, 10251058, 10251047, 10251048, 10250487, 10250483, 10250482, 10247842, 10247840, 10247835, 10247396, 10247394, 10247390, 10247392, 10240951, 10240950, 10238120, and 10238119. The supplied evidence identifies these as official manufacturer communications/owner documentation, not a repair-specific bulletin.

16. Recall information

  • Not yet established by verified evidence.

17. Official manufacturer information

Tesla CP_w054 is documented in official Tesla owner-documentation excerpts submitted to NHTSA. The supplied applicability data covers U.S. Tesla Model 3 (2017–2023), Model S (2012–2023), and Model X (2016–2023), with listed confidence of 0.95. Applicability outside these entries is not established by the supplied evidence.

19. Frequently asked questions

What does Tesla alert CP_w054 mean?

It means the charge-port latch is unable to latch the charge cable in the charge-port inlet.

What should I do when CP_w054 appears?

Fully insert the charge cable and check for an obstruction, as stated in the alert.

Can AC charging still work with CP_w054?

Verified documentation states that AC charging is limited to 16 A when the latch is not engaged.

Can I DC fast charge or Supercharge with CP_w054?

The supplied documentation says DC Fast Charging / Supercharging is affected, but the exact outcome is not fully established because the provided evidence excerpt is truncated.

Which vehicles are covered by the supplied applicability data?

U.S. Tesla Model 3 model years 2017–2023; Model S model years 2012–2023; and Model X model years 2016–2023.

20. Sources & verification

Verified
Show all 24 verified sources
Tesla CP_w054: Charge port latch not engaged Fully insert charge cable… | EV Diagnostics