Contaminated or worn accelerator pedal position sensor assembly causing low-travel signal mismatch; Corroded or chafed wiring in the pedal sensor harness, particularly at the connector pins; Poor ground or reference voltage supply to the pedal sensors from the PCM; Sticking accelerator pedal linkage or binding pedal assembly preventing smooth low-travel movement; Failed PCM driver or internal reference circuit fault, though this is far less common; Aftermarket floor mats or pedal covers interfering with the pedal's rest position and low-travel range

DTC codes / Ford codes / P1255

P1255 · FordPedal Correlation PDS2 and LPDS Low

Q: What does code P1255 mean?

Pedal Correlation PDS2 and LPDS Low. P1255 on Ford vehicles means the powertrain control module detected that the two accelerator pedal position signals, PDS2 and LPDS, do not agree with each other at low pedal travel. The computer compares these redundant sensors and flags the code when their voltages fall outside the expected correlation window, usually because one sensor is skewed, sticking, or has a wiring fault.

P1255 on Ford vehicles means the powertrain control module detected that the two accelerator pedal position signals, PDS2 and LPDS, do not agree with each other at low pedal travel. The computer compares these redundant sensors and flags the code when their voltages fall outside the expected correlation window, usually because one sensor is skewed, sticking, or has a wiring fault.

SystemPowertrain

Code typeFord specific

SeverityMedium

Fix difficultyIntermediate

AreaFuel and air metering (injector circuits)

Symptoms you may notice

Often no symptoms besides the warning light, especially if the fault is intermittent
Reduced engine power or limp mode triggered by the PCM when the pedal signals disagree
Hesitation or a flat spot when pressing the accelerator from idle
Unstable or surging idle as the PCM struggles to trust pedal input
A stored P1255 with no drivability complaint until the pedal is pressed slowly from rest
Occasional stall or refusal to rev when the pedal is first applied

Common causes, most likely first

Contaminated or worn accelerator pedal position sensor assembly causing low-travel signal mismatch
Corroded or chafed wiring in the pedal sensor harness, particularly at the connector pins
Poor ground or reference voltage supply to the pedal sensors from the PCM
Sticking accelerator pedal linkage or binding pedal assembly preventing smooth low-travel movement
Failed PCM driver or internal reference circuit fault, though this is far less common
Aftermarket floor mats or pedal covers interfering with the pedal's rest position and low-travel range

How to diagnose and fix it

Inspect the accelerator pedal area for floor mat interference and confirm the pedal returns freely to rest
Read live pedal position data for both PDS2 and LPDS on a scan tool while slowly pressing the pedal and compare the two voltages
Check the pedal sensor connector for corrosion, pushed pins, or loose terminals and repair as needed
Backprobe the sensor reference voltage and ground circuits at the pedal connector to confirm they are within specification
Perform a wiggle test on the pedal harness while watching live data to catch intermittent wiring faults
Replace the accelerator pedal position sensor assembly if live data confirms a skewed or non-linear signal
Clear the code and perform a pedal relearn or idle relearn procedure if required for the model

Why P1255 often misleads on Fords

A pedal sensor that reads correctly at wide-open throttle can still fail the low-travel correlation test, so always graph both signals from rest rather than only checking full travel.
Aftermarket floor mats and thick pedal covers are a surprisingly common cause because they hold the pedal slightly off its rest stop and skew the low-travel voltage window.
The code can set from a momentary glitch during cold starts, so clearing it and test-driving before replacing parts avoids unnecessary pedal assembly replacement.
Corrosion inside the pedal connector often looks clean from outside, so a pin drag test and voltage drop check on the ground circuit are more reliable than a visual inspection.
A weak battery or charging system fault can cause reference voltage instability that mimics a pedal sensor failure, so check system voltage before condemning the sensor.

Can I keep driving with P1255?

You can usually drive the vehicle to a shop if the warning light is on and the engine still responds normally, but avoid heavy acceleration and long trips. If the vehicle enters limp mode or the pedal response becomes erratic, stop driving and have it diagnosed promptly.

Tools that help

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Guidance is general and written for Ford vehicles. Exact tests and values vary by model, so confirm the fault before replacing parts.