E:15 is not a part code — it's a base-pan leak trip. The float switch under the dishwasher hit water and locked the unit into continuous drain mode. Resetting the code without finding the leak source repeats the trip within days and slowly destroys the floor. We find the source first.
Reviewed by Mike Larson, Master Appliance Technician · 18+ yrs in-field · Last reviewed
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Quick answer
E:15 on a Bosch 300 / 500 / 800-series dishwasher (SHX / SHP / SHE / SHEM / SGX models) means the leak-pan float has tripped. Four leak sources cover ~95% of cases: door gasket fatigue (years 4–7), wash-motor shaft seal (years 7–10), drain hose chafe at the cabinet pass-through, and a slow inlet-valve weep. We dry the basepan, find the source, replace OEM, and verify two full cycles before closing the ticket. Most Bosch E15 repairs land $245–$485 all-in. Flat $149 trip fee waived on approval. 1-year written warranty.
Root causes, ranked by what we find
What it is: The lower door gasket flattens and the dishwasher leaks a small amount during the dry cycle when the door is closed and sealed. Water tracks down inside the door panel into the basepan over weeks until the float trips.
Fix: Replace OEM Bosch lower door gasket and (when worn) the door-side seal. Dry basepan, reset float, run two full cycles to verify.
Typical all-in: $245–$345 all-in
What it is: The mechanical seal on the wash-motor shaft fails and weeps a few mL per cycle directly into the basepan. The dishwasher otherwise washes fine until the float trips.
Fix: Pull the dishwasher, replace OEM wash-motor seal kit (or full wash-motor assembly on platforms where the seal isn't serviced separately). Dry basepan, reset float.
Typical all-in: $385–$525 all-in
What it is: The corrugated drain hose abrades against the metal cabinet opening or the disposal tailpiece and pin-holes. Tiny weep during the drain phase fills the pan over weeks.
Fix: Replace OEM Bosch drain hose, install a grommet/sleeve at the pass-through, dry basepan, verify two cycles.
Typical all-in: $215–$315 all-in
What it is: The water inlet solenoid valve diaphragm fails closed-but-not-fully — drips during the off-cycle. Drips run down the inlet line and pool in the basepan.
Fix: Replace OEM Bosch inlet valve assembly. Dry basepan, reset float, verify pressure.
Typical all-in: $235–$345 all-in
What it is: Hairline stress crack on the plastic sump base — typically on 10+ yr units or after a power surge. Constant slow leak under the bottom rack.
Fix: Replace OEM sump assembly (4–5 hr job) or quote against replacement honestly.
Typical all-in: $485–$685 all-in
Diagnostic order
Pull the dishwasher forward on its rails, tip back 15°, and shop-vac the styrofoam basepan completely dry. The float resets when water clears.
Look for flattening, cracking, or a wet line on the inside of the lower door. Door-gasket leaks track down inside the panel and are easy to miss without a flashlight.
With the dishwasher pulled and a tray underneath, run cancel-drain then a 30-second fill. Watch for drips at the inlet valve, drain-hose pass-through, and sump.
Run a normal wash cycle for 5 min and watch the shaft seal area for weeping. A few mL per cycle is enough to trip E15 over 2–3 weeks.
Once the source is replaced, dry the basepan a second time, reset the float, and run two full normal cycles back-to-back. E15 should not return.
FAQs
Physically yes — tip the dishwasher back 45°, drain the basepan into a towel, and the float resets. But unless you've found and fixed the leak source, the code returns within days and the slow leak continues damaging your floor and cabinets.
Bosch covers the dishwasher 1 year parts + labor from purchase. Wash-motor and sump components carry a longer parts-only warranty on some platforms — bring the model and serial when you call and we'll check it before quoting.
Most Bosch E15 repairs land $245–$485 all-in. Door-gasket and drain-hose work runs lower; wash-motor seal and sump work runs higher. Flat $149 trip fee is credited to whatever repair you approve.
All current SHX, SHP, SHE, SHEM, and SGX platforms use the same Aquastop / leak-pan float system. We see E15 most on SHE / SHX / SHP units 4–10 years old — door gasket at year 4–7, wash-motor seal at year 7–10.
Resetting itself is fine — but resetting without fixing the leak means water continues to weep into the basepan, eventually saturating the kraft underlayment and warping the kitchen subfloor. Find the source first.
Yes — OEM Bosch lower door gaskets, inlet valves, drain hoses, and float-switch assemblies are stocked. Wash-motor and sump assemblies are ordered overnight when needed.
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