My Lotus Evora threw P123C and went into limp mode. How do I fix it?

Short answer: P123C on an Evora means the charge-air cooler pump isn't running, and the car cuts power to protect the engine. Check the charge-cooler coolant tank with everything cool. One Evora GT owner found all the coolant had been pushed into the overflow, refilled the loop and got out of limp mode. Owners top off with pink Toyota-type long-life coolant. If the code comes back with the loop full, have the pump and its wiring tested.

Symptom: Code P123C ('charge air cooler pump not running'), reduced power or limp mode, often in hot weather.

What to check first

1. Let the car cool, then check the charge-air cooler coolant tank and the overflow.
2. Refill with the correct coolant and work air out of the loop.
3. Clear the code and see if it comes back.
4. If it returns, test the pump's power, ground and the pump itself.
5. Run your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Likely causes

1. Low coolant in the charge-air cooler circuit. The supercharged Evora cools its intake air with a separate small coolant loop and an electric pump (a charge-air cooler, also called an intercooler). If that loop is low on coolant, the pump can't do its job and the car sets P123C and cuts power.
2. Charge-cooler pump or its wiring. If the coolant is full and the code returns, the pump itself or its power and ground need testing.
3. Air trapped in the loop. After a refill, air pockets can keep the pump from moving coolant.

What it usually costs

One owner fixed it with coolant and a $7 battery-filler bulb. Owners didn't post pump replacement prices.

Is it safe to keep driving?

Limp mode protects the engine. Drive gently to a safe place. Don't keep driving hard in heat with P123C set, because hot intake air can harm the engine.

DIY or shop?

Refilling the charge-cooler loop is DIY. Pump replacement and wiring diagnosis are usually shop jobs.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Recalls: NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the Evora in the years it returned data, and neither is about the charge-air cooler. Its recall lookup returned no data for some 2019-2021 queries. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of a recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• Plain words: The complaint count below shows how often owners reported problems that mention these words to NHTSA. A count is not proof of a defect.
• NHTSA complaints: 1 keyword-matched complaints for Lotus Evora 400 / GT 2017–2021 (of 4 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-31; keywords: coolant|intercooler|charge|overheat|limp|pump) (NHTSA returned no data for 22 model-year queries). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In How to fix P123C intercooler pump not running - 2020 Evora GT on Reddit r/lotus, a 2020 Evora GT owner in Texas heat got P123C, 'intercooler pump not running,' and limp mode. They found all the charge-air cooler coolant had been pushed into the overflow, refilled the circuit using a $7 battery-filler bulb, and the car came out of limp mode. The bulb got hot during the job, so they used a paper towel to hold it.
• In Can I top off my charge cooler coolant with this coolant? (Evora 400) on Reddit r/lotus, an Evora 400 owner asked whether pink Asian-style long-life coolant was OK for topping off the charge cooler. Owners said yes, they've used the same one for years, because the engine is a Toyota unit.

Quick tip

Look at the coolant first. A refill cost one owner about $7 and fixed it.

Vehicle focus: Lotus Evora 400 and Evora GT (supercharged), 2017-2021.

Safety / mechanic note

Overheating intake air can damage an engine. Verify with a mechanic.