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Tesla DI_w168

Vehicle Hold feature unavailable Keep brake pedal pressed while stopped

Common search variants: DIw168 · DI-w168 · DI w168 · Search ignores case and common separators.

DriveYes. The supplied Tesla/NHTSA material states: “Your vehicle is OK to drive in the meantime.” Continue to use the brake pedal to stop and hold the vehicle stationary.
ChargeNot yet established by verified evidence.
ServiceSchedule Tesla service if DI_w168 persists throughout subsequent drives. The supplied official material indicates a persistent alert may require front motor inspection and service.
Confidence95%

Quick answer

DI_w168 means Vehicle Hold is currently unavailable due to system constraints. When stopped, use and keep the brake pedal pressed to hold the vehicle stationary. Tesla/NHTSA material states the vehicle is OK to drive in the meantime; schedule service if the alert continues through subsequent drives.

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 DI_w168 mean?

DI_w168 means Vehicle Hold is currently unavailable due to system constraints. When stopped, use and keep the brake pedal pressed to hold the vehicle stationary. Tesla/NHTSA material states the vehicle is OK to drive in the meantime; schedule service if the alert continues through subsequent drives.

2. Technical explanation

Vehicle Hold is unavailable while this alert is displayed. Verified Tesla owner-documentation material filed with NHTSA instructs the driver to use the brake pedal to bring the vehicle to a complete stop and keep it stationary. If the alert is no longer present at the start of the next drive, it was likely caused by a temporary condition and no action is required. The documentation also states that the alert may indicate a condition requiring front motor inspection and service.

3. What system is affected?

Vehicle Hold feature. Verified evidence also notes that a persistent alert may require front motor inspection and service.

4. How serious is this code?

Not yet established by verified evidence. The supplied official material says the vehicle is OK to drive in the meantime, while recommending service if the alert persists through subsequent drives.

5. Symptoms you may notice

  • Vehicle Hold feature unavailable.
  • Alert message: “Vehicle Hold feature unavailable Keep brake pedal pressed while stopped.”

6. Possible causes

  • System constraints.
  • A temporary condition if the alert is absent at the start of the next drive.
  • A condition requiring front motor inspection and service may also be indicated. No specific fault cause is established by the supplied verified evidence.

7. Can I still drive the vehicle?

Yes. The supplied Tesla/NHTSA material states: “Your vehicle is OK to drive in the meantime.” Continue to use the brake pedal to stop and hold the vehicle stationary.

8. Can I charge the vehicle?

Not yet established by verified evidence.

9. What you can safely do

  • When stopping, use the brake pedal to bring the vehicle to a complete stop and keep it stationary.
  • If the alert is gone when the next drive starts, no action is required according to the supplied documentation.
  • If the alert persists throughout subsequent drives, schedule service.

10. Step-by-step troubleshooting

  1. Check whether DI_w168 remains present when starting the next drive.
  2. Do not rely on Vehicle Hold while the alert is displayed; keep the brake pedal pressed while stopped.
  3. No further owner troubleshooting is established by verified evidence.

11. When to contact service

Schedule Tesla service if DI_w168 persists throughout subsequent drives. The supplied official material indicates a persistent alert may require front motor inspection and service.

12. What the service center may check

  • Inspect the front motor if service diagnosis determines it is required. No further service checks are established by verified evidence.

13. Possible repair or resolution

  • Not yet established by verified evidence. The supplied material only identifies possible front motor inspection and service for a persistent alert.

14. Affected vehicles

15. Related TSBs / service bulletins

  • NHTSA manufacturer communication MC-10253660-9999, published March 26, 2024: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2024/MC-10253660-9999.pdf
  • NHTSA manufacturer communication MC-10250483-9999, published December 1, 2023: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10250483-9999.pdf

16. Recall information

  • Not yet established by verified evidence.

17. Official manufacturer information

Official Tesla owner-documentation content filed with NHTSA describes DI_w168 as Vehicle Hold being unavailable due to system constraints, instructs drivers to keep the brake pedal pressed while stopped, and states the vehicle is OK to drive in the meantime. Source: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2024/MC-10253660-9999.pdf

19. Frequently asked questions

What does Tesla alert DI_w168 mean?

It means Vehicle Hold is currently unavailable due to system constraints.

Can I drive with DI_w168?

Yes. The supplied official material states the vehicle is OK to drive in the meantime. Use the brake pedal to stop and keep the vehicle stationary.

What should I do if DI_w168 disappears on the next drive?

The documentation says it was likely caused by a temporary condition and no action is required.

When should I schedule service?

Schedule service if the alert persists throughout subsequent drives.

Does DI_w168 affect charging?

Not yet established by verified evidence.

20. Sources & verification

Verified
Show all 24 verified sources
Tesla DI_w168: Vehicle Hold feature unavailable Keep brake pedal… | EV Diagnostics