P0295
OBD-II Diagnostic Code
Severity: ModerateWhat it means
P0295 means cylinder 11 is not contributing its fair share of power.
This code appears on large diesel engines with 12+ cylinders (trucks, heavy equipment).
The fuel injector, compression, or valve timing on cylinder 11 may be faulty.
Affected Models
- Heavy-duty diesel vehicles
- Commercial trucks
- 12+ cylinder engines
Common Causes
- Fuel injector for cylinder 11 clogged or failed
- Low compression in cylinder 11
- Valve timing issue on cylinder 11
- Wiring issue to injector 11
How to Fix It
-
Perform an injector contribution test.
A diagnostic scanner can perform a cylinder cut-out test to verify which cylinder is underperforming.
-
Check compression on cylinder 11.
Low compression indicates worn rings, valves, or a head gasket issue on that cylinder.
-
Inspect and replace the fuel injector if faulty.
A clogged or stuck injector is the most common cause of cylinder balance codes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do passenger cars have cylinder 11?
No.
P0295 only applies to large engines with 11+ cylinders — typically found in commercial trucks and heavy equipment.
Is this an emissions code?
Yes.
Poor cylinder contribution affects exhaust emissions and will cause an emissions test failure.