U0131 Lost communication with the power steering control module

Lost communication with power steering control module

U0131 in short

U0131 means other modules lost contact with the power steering module. Wiring, connectors, power or ground at that module, or low battery voltage are the usual causes. Steering can become heavy, so have it inspected promptly by a professional, and stop if steering assist is lost or a Do not drive message appears.

Electric power steering is run by its own module, which shares speed and status data with the rest of the car. When other modules stop hearing it, they store U0131 and the cluster usually shows a power steering warning.

If the steering module itself has lost power or dropped off the network, assist can drop out. FCA reports loss of assist with U0131 on 2021-2022 Wranglers, and Ford on 2019-2020 Transit Connect.

Steering is safety-critical. Even if the warning goes away after a restart, have the cause found by a professional.

Most likely causes

  1. Power steering module connector or network wiring

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    Network faults are usually wiring. The steering module sits near the steering rack or column, where connectors see water and movement.
    What would change this
    Rises if the fault is intermittent or the connector shows corrosion. Falls if the wiring and bus resistance are good.

  2. Power steering module power, ground or high-current fuse, or low battery voltage

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    Electric steering draws heavy current and drops out when supply voltage sags. Ford ties a lack of steering assist with steering module codes to low battery voltage on the 2021 F-150.
    What would change this
    Rises if the battery is weak or the steering module fuse or ground is poor. Falls if supply holds under load.

  3. Steering module software or failure (model-specific bulletins)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    FCA (Wrangler, Gladiator, Grand Cherokee), Ford (Transit Connect) and GM (LaCrosse, Regal) have bulletins for U0131.
    What would change this
    Rises if a bulletin covers your VIN. Falls if none applies and the module has good supply and wiring.
    How to test the power steering control module

What to test first

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

  1. Have all modules scanned and check whether the power steering module answers the scan tool.

    Low riskTool: scan tool that reads all modules

    • IfThe steering module does not respond

      It meansCheck its power, ground and wiring.

      Go to step 3

    • IfIt responds but U0131 is stored in history

      It meansLook for an intermittent connection and check bulletins.

      Go to step 2

  2. Ask a dealer whether your VIN has a bulletin for U0131 or the steering module.

    Low risk

  3. Have a shop test the battery and the steering module's fuse, power, ground and network wiring.

    Best left to a shopTool: multimeter, battery tester

    Warning:Steering is safety-critical. Leave diagnosis and repair to a professional.

Symptoms

  • Power steering or Service Electric Power Steering warning
  • Check engine light and other warning messages
  • Steering suddenly heavy Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
  • Do not drive message Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

How to fix

This is a safety-critical system, so we explain the code but don't give repair steps. Have it inspected by a qualified technician.

Parts and cost context

  • power steering control module:On many cars the steering module is part of the rack or column and may be replaced with it. Rule out wiring, power and bulletins first. 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

  • 2018–2024 · Wrangler

    Supported by vehicle data

    FCA S2208000063 and S1919000004 cover U0131 with loss of steering assist or a Service Electric Power Steering message (also Gladiator). Whether they are still current is not verified.

  • 2021–2025 · Grand Cherokee

    Supported by vehicle data

    FCA S2219000005 covers U0131 with the check engine lamp and cluster warnings (also Grand Cherokee L, Wagoneer). Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • S2208000063Status unverified

    Loss of power steering assist, U0131

    2021–2022wrangler · issued · NHTSA 10212315

    Service information for loss of power steering assist with U0131.

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

  • S1919000004Status unverified

    U0131-00 with Service Electric Power Steering message

    2018–2024wrangler, gladiator · issued · NHTSA 10243178

    Service information for U0131-00 with a steering warning in the cluster.

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

  • S2219000005 REV.DStatus unverified

    Check engine lamp and cluster warnings with U0131

    2021–2025grand-cherokee, grand-cherokee-l, wagoneer, grand-wagoneer · issued · NHTSA 11020596

    Service information for U0131 with the check engine lamp and warning messages.

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

Ford

  • 2019–2020 · Transit Connect

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ford SSM 48233: lack of steering assist with U0131 on vans built on or after 28 May 2018. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • SSM 48233Status unverified

    Lack of power steering assist with U0131

    2019–2020transit-connect · issued · NHTSA 10167195

    Service message for lack of steering assist with U0131 and lost communication with several modules.

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

Buick

  • 2011–2012 · LaCrosse

    Supported by vehicle data

    GM PIC-5651: intermittent Service Power Steering with U0131 (also Regal). Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • PIC-5651Status unverified

    Intermittent Service Power Steering message with U0131

    2011–2012lacrosse, regal · issued · NHTSA 10043936

    Preliminary information for an intermittent steering warning with U0131.

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

  • U3000Manufacturer code: on Ford, Honda, Acura and Mazda, the module that stored it found a fault inside itself

    Same system Possible — needs testing

    On Ford vehicles U3000 is often stored by the power steering module itself, while U0131 is set by other modules when the steering module goes silent. Both point at the steering module.

  • C2217Electric power steering module internal fault (Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram)

    Same system Possible — needs testing

    C2217 is the steering module's own internal fault code on Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram. Chrysler's steering bulletins have technicians note U0131 alongside it, so read the steering module's codes too.

All Module network (CAN bus) communication codes

U0131 questions

Can I drive with U0131?

Only if steering feels normal, and only to get it inspected promptly. If steering becomes heavy or a Do not drive message appears, stop in a safe place and get help.

Sources and review

  1. 2023 Integra Owner's Manual: Indicator, Coming On/Blinking — American Honda Motor Co.
  2. FCA S2208000063: Loss of power steering assist, U0131 — FCA US LLC / NHTSA ,
  3. Ford SSM 48233: Transit Connect lack of power steering assist with U0131 — Ford Motor Company / NHTSA ,
  4. ASE L1 study guide: Network U-codes — Open Exam Prep
  5. Ford SSM 51894: 2021 F-150 lack of steering assist at start-up with U3000:96 in the PSCM — Ford Motor Company / NHTSA ,
  6. FCA S1919000004: U0131-00 lost communication with power steering control module A — FCA US LLC / NHTSA ,
  7. FCA S2219000005 REV.D: Check engine lamp, cluster warnings, U0131 lost communication with power steering control module — FCA US LLC / NHTSA ,
  8. GM PIC-5651: Intermittent Service Power Steering message with U0131 — General Motors / NHTSA ,
  9. Ford SSM 48831: 2020 Escape/Corsair lack of power steering assist with U3000 in the PSCM — Ford Motor Company / NHTSA ,
  10. FCA 19-007-25: loss of electric power steering with C2217-00 — FCA US / NHTSA ,
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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