Tesla PCS_a090
Charging slowed - Some AC phases not powered Check power source and charging equipment
Common search variants: PCSa090 · PCS-a090 · PCS a090 · Search ignores case and common separators.
Quick answer
PCS_a090 means AC charging has slowed because the onboard charger detected that one or more AC phases are not powered. Tesla documentation states that DC fast charging/Supercharging should still function as expected.
This page separates verified manufacturer/regulator evidence from supporting material. Unsupported causes, repairs or safety conclusions are not guessed.
Watch Videos
Relevant videos play here without leaving this diagnostic page.
No sufficiently relevant embeddable video has been accepted for this diagnostic yet.
Videos are supporting material and never override OEM or regulator evidence.
1. What does PCS_a090 mean?
PCS_a090 means AC charging has slowed because the onboard charger detected that one or more AC phases are not powered. Tesla documentation states that DC fast charging/Supercharging should still function as expected.
2. Technical explanation
This Tesla alert is titled: “Charging slowed - Some AC phases not powered. Check power source and charging equipment.” Verified Tesla owner-manual material submitted to NHTSA states that charging speed has been reduced by a condition affecting the vehicle’s ability to charge with AC power. The onboard charger has detected that one or more AC phases are not powered. The supplied evidence does not establish the specific failed component or whether the condition is in the external power source, charging equipment, or vehicle.
3. What system is affected?
AC charging system, including the vehicle’s onboard charger and the connected AC power source/charging equipment.
4. How serious is this code?
Unknown. The supplied verified evidence establishes reduced AC charging speed but does not assign a severity level.
5. Symptoms you may notice
- Reduced AC charging speed.
- Alert message: “Charging slowed - Some AC phases not powered. Check power source and charging equipment.”
- DC fast charging/Supercharging should still function as expected, according to the cited Tesla documentation.
6. Possible causes
- One or more AC phases are not powered, as detected by the vehicle’s onboard charger.
- The supplied evidence directs the user to check the power source and charging equipment.
- A more specific cause is not yet established by verified evidence.
7. Can I still drive the vehicle?
Not yet established by verified evidence.
8. Can I charge the vehicle?
AC charging is reduced. Tesla documentation states that DC fast charging/Supercharging should still function as expected.
9. What you can safely do
- Check the AC power source and charging equipment, as directed by the alert.
- For Mobile Connector or Wall Connector status-light troubleshooting, refer to the applicable product Owner’s Manual at Tesla Charging & Adapter Product Guides.
- Use a Supercharger or Destination Charging location if appropriate; Tesla documentation states that DC fast charging/Supercharging should still function as expected.
10. Step-by-step troubleshooting
- Confirm the alert is PCS_a090 and note that AC charging speed is reduced.
- Check the power source and charging equipment, following the alert direction.
- If using a Tesla Mobile Connector or Wall Connector, consult its product Owner’s Manual for status-light troubleshooting.
- Do not attempt high-voltage diagnosis or repair. Specific electrical tests and component-level procedures are not established by the supplied verified evidence.
11. When to contact service
Not yet established by verified evidence. The alert instructs the user to check the power source and charging equipment; the supplied evidence does not provide a service-escalation threshold.
12. What the service center may check
- Verify the AC power source and charging equipment condition. Further service checks are not yet established by verified evidence.
13. Possible repair or resolution
- Not yet established by verified evidence.
14. Affected vehicles
- Tesla Model 3 · 2013–2022 · US
- Tesla Model 3 · 2017–2023 · US
- Tesla Model 3 · 2017–2024 · US
- Tesla Model S · 2012–2020 · US
- Tesla Model S · 2013–2022 · US
- Tesla Model S · 2021–2024 · US
- Tesla Model S · 2021–2023 · US
- Tesla Model S · 2024 · US
- Tesla Model X · 2016–2020 · US
- Tesla Model X · 2021–2023 · US
- Tesla Model X · 2021–2024 · US
- Tesla Model Y · 2020–2023 · US
- Tesla Model Y · 2020–2024 · US
15. Related TSBs / service bulletins
- NHTSA manufacturer communication MC-10250484-9999 (Tesla owner-manual material, published 2023-12-01): https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10250484-9999.pdf
- NHTSA manufacturer communication MC-10253666-9999 (Tesla owner-manual material, published 2024-03-27): https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2024/MC-10253666-9999.pdf
16. Recall information
- Not yet established by verified evidence.
17. Official manufacturer information
Verified NHTSA-hosted Tesla manufacturer communications describe PCS_a090 as an AC-charging reduction caused by one or more unpowered AC phases and state that DC fast charging/Supercharging should still function as expected. The supplied evidence applies in the US to Tesla Model 3 (2013-2024 across overlapping records), Model S (2012-2024 across overlapping records), Model X (2016-2024 across overlapping records), and Model Y (2020-2024 across overlapping records).
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10238117: Manual · official_tsb
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10238118: Owners Manual · official_tsb
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10238121: Manual-5 · official_tsb
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10238122: Manual-6 · official_tsb
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10238123: Manual-4 · official_tsb
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10238124: Manual-3 · official_tsb
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10240947: Manual · official_tsb
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10240948: Owner's Manual-2 · official_tsb
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10240949: Owner's Manual-1 · official_tsb
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10240952: Documentation · official_tsb
19. Frequently asked questions
What does Tesla PCS_a090 mean?
It means AC charging has slowed because the onboard charger detected that one or more AC phases are not powered.
Can I still use Supercharging with PCS_a090?
Tesla documentation states that DC fast charging/Supercharging should still function as expected.
What should I check first?
The alert directs you to check the power source and charging equipment. For Tesla Mobile Connector or Wall Connector status lights, consult that product’s Owner’s Manual.
Does PCS_a090 identify the failed part?
No. The supplied verified evidence does not identify a specific failed component.
20. Sources & verification
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10238117: Manual · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10238118: Owners Manual · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10238121: Manual-5 · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10238122: Manual-6 · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10238123: Manual-4 · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10238124: Manual-3 · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10240947: Manual · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10240948: Owner's Manual-2 · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10240949: Owner's Manual-1 · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10240952: Documentation · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10247391: DocumentationA · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10247393: DocumentationC · 2023
Show all 58 verified sources
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10247395: DocumentationE · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10247397: DocumentationG · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10247398: DocumentationH · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10247399: DocumentationI · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10247832: Manual · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10247833: ManualF · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10247834: ManualJ · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10247836: ManualL · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10247837: ManualM · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10247839: ManualN · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10247841: ManualP · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10247843: ManualR · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10247844: ManualS · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10250480: Manual · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10250481: ManualA · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10250484: ManualD · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10250485: ManualE · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10250486: ManualF · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10250488: ManualI · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10250489: ManualM · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10250490: ManualN · 2023
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10251046: Owners documenta · 2024
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10251049: Owners documenta · 2024
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10251050: Owners documenta · 2024
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10251051: Owners documenta · 2024
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10251056: Owners documenta · 2024
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10251057: Owners documenta · 2024
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10251059: Owners documenta · 2024
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10251061: Owners documenta · 2024
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10252948: develop · 2024
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10252950: developB · 2024
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10252952: developD · 2024
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10252953: developE · 2024
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10252956: developF · 2024
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10252959: developJ · 2024
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10252961: terminal · 2024
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10252962: terminalA · 2024
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10252963: terminalB · 2024
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10252964: terminalC · 2024
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10253655: Index389 · 2024
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10253656: Index392 · 2024
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10253657: Owners · 2024
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10253659: Index355 · 2024
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10253661: Index382 · 2024
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10253666: Index390 · 2024
- NHTSA: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10253669: Index393 · 2024