P1285: Cylinder Head Over Temperature Sensed (Ford)
Severity: high
What it means: On Ford vehicles, the cylinder head temperature sensor has reported that the cylinder head is running hotter than it should. It usually means overheating or low coolant.
Safe to drive? No. Stop and let the engine cool. Ford engines may go into a protective mode that cuts power to some cylinders when they overheat.
Common symptoms
- Temperature gauge high
- Reduced power or rough running as the engine protects itself
- Coolant loss
- Check-engine light
Likely causes, ranked
- Low coolant from a leakDIY
- Thermostat, water pump or cooling fan problemShop
- Coolant leaking into a cylinder (some engines)Shop
- Faulty cylinder head temperature sensor or wiringShop
Vehicle-specific notes
- 2015–2020 Lincoln MKZ: Ford bulletin 19-2346 lists P0217, P1285 and P1299 alongside misfire codes for coolant leaking into the cylinders on certain 2017–2019 MKZ 2.0L EcoBoost engines. Read the full answer · Source
What it means: On Ford vehicles, the cylinder head temperature sensor has reported that the cylinder head is running hotter than it should. It usually means overheating or low coolant.
Severity: High. Safe to drive? No. Stop and let the engine cool. Ford engines may go into a protective mode that cuts power to some cylinders when they overheat.
DIY or shop?
Checking coolant level once cool is DIY. Finding the cause of overheating is a shop job.
Before you replace parts
- Stop and let the engine cool before opening the coolant cap.
- Check the coolant level and look for leaks, a stuck thermostat, or cooling fans that don't run.
- Read all stored codes. Misfire codes together with overheating codes can point to coolant leaking into a cylinder.
- Check your VIN for recalls, service bulletins and extended coverage.
Safety / mechanic note
Verify with a mechanic. Continued driving while overheating can ruin the engine. A code points to a circuit or system, not always a specific part.