U0103 A module lost communication with the electronic gear shift module, the computer behind the shifter

Lost communication with gear shift module

U0103 in short

U0103 means another module stopped hearing from the electronic gear shift module, the computer behind the shifter. Common causes are a power, ground or fuse fault at the shifter, network wiring, or shifter software that needs an update. Expect a Service Shifter warning, a lever stuck in Park or limp mode, so get it checked soon.

On cars with an electronic shifter, the lever is a small computer that sends the selected gear to the transmission over the CAN network. U0103 sets when another module, often the engine or transmission computer, stops receiving valid messages from that shift module while the rest of the network is still talking.

Because the shifter is silent, the car may refuse to leave Park, flash the gear letters, show a Service Shifter message or fall back to a limp gear. Several makers have bulletins for it, ranging from software updates to a loose ground.

Jeep tells technicians to call engineering before replacing a Cherokee shifter for U0103, so check power, grounds, wiring and bulletins first.

Most likely causes

  1. Shift module software that needs an update

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Chrysler, Ram, Jeep and Ford bulletins cover U0103 with shifter or shift module software updates on the 2015 Chrysler 200, 2022-2023 Ram 1500, 2023-2024 Pacifica, 2023-2025 Grand Cherokee and 2021 Mach-E.
    What would change this
    Rises if your vehicle and symptom match a bulletin. Falls if the shift module already has the latest software.

  2. Power, ground or fuse fault at the shift module

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Ford traced intermittent no crank with U0103 on 2020-2021 Explorers to loose grounds G210 and G214, and a Honda dealer found a blown fuse behind a silent shift-by-wire module. TAT lists loss of power or ground at the shift module as a typical cause.
    What would change this
    Rises if the shift module has no power or a poor ground with the ignition on. Falls if feeds and grounds hold voltage under load.

  3. CAN wiring or connector fault between the shifter and the network

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    Network faults are usually in the harness rather than a module, and a 2018 Pacifica owner reports a failed CAN star connector that set U0103 and U0001 in ten modules.
    What would change this
    Rises if several modules store communication codes or the bus resistance is wrong. Falls if the bus reads about 60 ohms with a clean signal.

  4. Failed gear shift module

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Dealers and shops replaced the shift module on a 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee and a 2016 Volkswagen Eos with U0103, and TAT lists internal module failure.
    What would change this
    Rises only after power, grounds, wiring and software are proven good and the module still will not answer.

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

  1. Scan every module and note which ones stored U0103 and what other codes are present.

    Low riskTool: scan tool that reads all modules

    • IfU0103 alongside U0001, U0002 or many other U-codes

      It meansThe wider network may be at fault.

      Go to step 4

    • IfU0103 on its own with shifter symptoms

      It meansLook for a bulletin first.

      Go to step 2

  2. Ask a dealer to check your VIN for shifter or shift module bulletins and software updates.

    Low risk

  3. Have a shop check the shift module fuse, power feed and grounds with the ignition on.

    Best left to a shopTool: multimeter

    Warning:Probing module connectors can damage terminals; leave it to a technician.

  4. With the battery disconnected, measure resistance between pins 6 and 14 of the diagnostic connector.

    Use cautionTool: multimeter

    Warning:Disconnecting the battery can reset settings and needs a radio code on some cars. Keep tools off the battery terminals.

Symptoms

  • Service Shifter message or flashing gear letters
  • Shifter stuck in Park or will not shift
  • Transmission drops into neutral or limp mode while driving Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
  • Check engine or wrench light
  • Intermittent no crank (2020-2021 Ford Explorer)

How to fix

  1. Have the 12-volt battery tested and check that terminals and grounds are clean and tight.

  2. Write down every code from every module before anything is cleared.

  3. Ask a dealer whether your VIN has a bulletin or software update for U0103.

Parts and cost context

  • gear shift module:Jeep asks technicians to contact engineering before replacing a Cherokee shifter for U0103, and many cases are fixed by software, a fuse or a ground. A new module may need programming. Labour varies; get a quote.

Labor varies by vehicle and shop; get a quote before you approve a repair.

Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuide

On your vehicle

Jeep

  • 2015–2018 · Cherokee

    Supported by vehicle data

    Jeep 9003783: Service Shifter message with U0103; contact engineering before replacing the shifter. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 2023–2025 · Grand Cherokee

    Supported by vehicle data

    Jeep 9100437Rev1: Service Shifter message and lever stuck in Park with U0103. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 9003783Status unverified

    Service Shifter message with U0103

    2015–2018cherokee · issued · NHTSA 10224897

    Contact engineering before replacing the shifter for U0103 on 2015-2018 Cherokee.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 9100437Rev1Status unverified

    Service Shifter message, lever stuck in Park

    2023–2025grand-cherokee, grand-cherokee-l, grand-wagoneer, wagoneer · issued · NHTSA 11024582

    Covers U0103 lost communication with the electric gear shift module; the repair was not read.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Ram

  • 2022–2023 · 1500

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ram S2208000168: will not shift out of Park with U11E3, U0103 and U1267. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • S2208000168Status unverified

    Will not shift out of Park with U11E3, U0103, U1267

    2022–20231500 · issued · NHTSA 10226012

    Shift module invalid-data and lost-communication codes; the repair was not read.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Chrysler

  • 2023–2024 · Pacifica

    Supported by vehicle data

    Chrysler S2408000065: shifter binding or Service Shifter message with U0103. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 2015 · 200

    Supported by vehicle data

    Chrysler 08-082-14: shift module software update for a brief inability to shift. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • S2408000065Status unverified

    Shifter binding or Service Shifter message

    2023–2024pacifica, voyager · issued · NHTSA 11002527

    Covers U11E3, U0103 and U1267; the repair was not read.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 08-082-14Status unverified

    Electronic Shift Module enhancement

    2015200 · issued · NHTSA 10139754

    Shift module software update for a brief inability to shift.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Ford

  • 2020–2021 · Explorer

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ford SSM 49329: intermittent no crank and wrench light with U0103 from loose grounds G210/G214. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 2021 · Mustang Mach-E

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ford TSB 21-2405: wrench lamp and Shift System Fault with U0103:87. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • SSM 49329Status unverified

    Intermittent no crank, wrench light with P07E4, B135C, U0103

    2020–2021explorer · issued · NHTSA 10183390

    Loose ground at G210 and/or G214.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • TSB 21-2405Status unverified

    Wrench lamp and Shift System Fault with U0103:87

    2021mustang-mach-e · issued · NHTSA 10203653

    U0103:87 in the SOBDM on early-build Mach-E; the repair was not read.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Volkswagen

  • 2013–2016 · Eos

    Supported by vehicle data

    Owners report the transmission dropping into neutral with U0103; one shop replaced the gear shift.

  • U0404A module received implausible data from the gear shift (shifter) module

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    A Jeep dealer and a Honda dealer both found U0404 stored with U0103 when the shift module itself stopped communicating.

  • U0001A module reports a fault on the high-speed CAN bus itself, the main data network that links the engine, transmission, brake and steering computers

    Shares causes Possible — needs testing

    A failed CAN star connector on a 2018 Pacifica set U0103 and U0001 together in ten modules.

  • U0002The high-speed CAN bus is still working but with too many errors or a poor signal

    Shares causes Possible — needs testing

    A 2009 Dodge Charger owner reports U0002 and U0103 together with repeated limp mode.

All Module network (CAN bus) communication codes

U0103 questions

Should the shifter be replaced for U0103?

Not first. Several bulletins fix U0103 with software, and Ford traced one case to loose grounds. Jeep asks technicians to call engineering before replacing a Cherokee shifter.

Sources and review

  1. U0103: Lost communication with electric gear shift module — TAT (Technical Automotive Training) scan data codes
  2. Jeep 9003783: Service Shifter message with U0103 (2015-2018 Cherokee) — FCA / NHTSA ,
  3. Ram S2208000168: will not shift out of Park, U11E3, U0103, U1267 (2022-2023 1500) — FCA / NHTSA ,
  4. NHTSA complaint ODI 10907321: 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee — NHTSA (owner complaint)
  5. NHTSA complaint ODI 11494025: 2016 Volkswagen Eos — NHTSA (owner complaint)
  6. NHTSA complaint ODI 11132793: 2013 Volkswagen Eos — NHTSA (owner complaint)
  7. Chrysler 08-082-14: Electronic Shift Module enhancement (2015 Chrysler 200) — FCA / NHTSA ,
  8. Chrysler S2408000065: shifter binding or Service Shifter message (2023-2024 Pacifica, Voyager) — FCA / NHTSA ,
  9. Jeep 9100437Rev1: Service Shifter message, lever stuck in Park (2023-2025 Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer) — FCA / NHTSA ,
  10. Ford TSB 21-2405: wrench lamp and Shift System Fault with U0103:87 (2021 Mustang Mach-E) — Ford / NHTSA ,
  11. Ford SSM 49329: intermittent no crank, wrench light, P07E4/B135C/U0103 (2020-2021 Explorer, Aviator) — Ford / NHTSA ,
  12. NHTSA complaint ODI 11529664: 2020 Honda Ridgeline — NHTSA (owner complaint)
  13. ASE L1 study guide: Network U-codes — Open Exam Prep
  14. NHTSA complaint ODI 11733578: 2018 Chrysler Pacifica — NHTSA (owner complaint)
  15. NHTSA complaint ODI 10456358: 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee — NHTSA (owner complaint)
  16. CAN bus U-codes — AA1Car Auto Diagnosis
  17. NHTSA complaint ODI 11511445: 2009 Dodge Charger — NHTSA (owner complaint)
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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