U0159 A module on the network stopped hearing the parking assist control module

Lost communication with parking assist control module

Severity not verified — if the car runs badly, have it inspected

The sources show U0159 setting falsely on some cars with no effect and appearing with engine shutoffs on others, so the code alone does not say how serious it is.

It gets more serious if:

  • Inspect soon: Inspect soon if the engine shuts off while driving, the park brake applies on its own or several cameras and driver aids drop out at once.

Source: how we rate severity

U0159 in short

U0159 means a module stopped getting messages from the parking assist control module. On several GM, Ford and Jeep vehicles bulletins treat it as a software or sensor ring issue and Ford says it can set falsely. Have it checked soon if the engine shuts off or camera and driver aids drop out together.

The parking assist module handles the ultrasonic sensors or camera view used for parking. When the instrument cluster, body control module or ABS module does not hear it, the code is stored.

GM bulletins for 2014-2018 trucks and SUVs with ultrasonic park assist have dealers reprogram the parking assist module and check the front sensor rings. Ford says a false U0159 can set at delivery on a 2015 MKC, and that remote start can set it on 2023 Super Duty trucks when another module is not communicating. FCA lists it among codes cleared by software flashes on the 2021 Chrysler 300, Charger and Challenger.

Two owners report more serious effects: a Ram 1500 that shut off and applied the park brake, and a Jeep Grand Cherokee whose cameras and ParkSense dropped out together.

Most likely causes

  1. Parking assist module software that needs an update

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    GM PIT5507E tells dealers to reprogram the parking assist control module and FCA bulletin 1801322 covers PCM updates for several codes including U0159.
    What would change this
    Rises on the listed GM trucks and FCA cars when software is out of date. Falls once updated.

  2. Front park assist sensor rings that are missing their scallops (GM trucks)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    GM PIT5507E has technicians inspect the front sensor rings if previously replaced and fit a new ring part when they are wrong.
    What would change this
    Rises if the front bumper sensors were replaced before. Falls if the rings are original.

  3. Another module not communicating, such as the image processing module (Ford)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Ford SSM 51486 ties U0159 to the image processing module A not communicating on the CAN during remote start on 2023 Super Duty.
    What would change this
    Rises when the code sets after a remote start. Falls if it sets with the engine off and no remote start.

  4. False code with no real fault

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Ford ASI 44643 says a false U0159 can occur at delivery on a 2015 MKC without affecting park assist or steering.
    What would change this
    Rises if the code appears on a new car with nothing failing. Falls if park assist or other features actually fail.

  5. Low voltage or power loss to several modules

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    A Grand Cherokee owner saw cameras, ParkSense and the odometer drop out together with U0159-00 stored even after a new battery.
    What would change this
    Rises when several systems fail at once. Falls if only park assist fails.

What to test first

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

  1. Read all modules and note whether U0159 comes with other lost-communication codes, whether park assist or cameras actually fail, and when the code sets (remote start, delivery, driving).

    Low riskTool: scan tool that reads all modules

  2. Check battery condition, then ask a technician to test power and ground at the parking assist module, the network wiring and, on GM trucks, the front sensor rings.

    Use cautionTool: multimeter and scan tool

    Warning:Disconnect the battery before touching module connectors. Do not probe airbag circuits.

Symptoms

  • Park assist or camera view not available
  • Driver information message or warning chime
  • Engine shuts off and park brake applies Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
  • No symptoms; code found at a scan

How to fix

  1. Check that the battery is healthy, then clear the codes and see if U0159 returns.

  2. Ask a dealer whether a software or false-code bulletin exists for your exact vehicle.

On your vehicle

Chevrolet

  • 2014–2018 · Silverado 1500

    Supported by vehicle data

    GM tells dealers to reprogram the parking assist module on trucks with ultrasonic park assist.

  • 2014–2018 · Tahoe

    Supported by vehicle data

    GM tells dealers to reprogram the parking assist module on SUVs with ultrasonic park assist.

  • PIT5507EStatus unverified

    DTC U0159 set in instrument cluster and/or body control module

    2014–2018silverado-1500, silverado-2500-hd, suburban, tahoe · issued · NHTSA 10141372

    Reprogram the parking assist control module and check the front sensor rings. Only the NHTSA summary was read.

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

GMC

  • 2014–2018 · Sierra 1500

    Supported by vehicle data

    GM tells dealers to reprogram the parking assist module on trucks with ultrasonic park assist.

  • PIT5507E (GMC)Status unverified

    DTC U0159 set in instrument cluster and/or body control module

    2014–2018sierra-1500, sierra-2500-hd, yukon · issued · NHTSA 10141372

    Same GM preliminary information as for Chevrolet. Only the NHTSA summary was read.

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

Cadillac

  • 2015–2018 · Escalade

    Supported by vehicle data

    GM tells dealers to reprogram the parking assist module on SUVs with ultrasonic park assist.

  • PIT5507E (Cadillac)Status unverified

    DTC U0159 set in instrument cluster and/or body control module

    2015–2018escalade · issued · NHTSA 10141372

    Same GM preliminary information as for Chevrolet. Only the NHTSA summary was read.

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

Lincoln

  • ASI 44643Status unverified

    False U0159 can occur at delivery with active park assist

    2015mkc · issued · NHTSA 10057740

    Says the false code does not affect active park assist or steering. Only the NHTSA summary was read.

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

Ford

  • SSM 51486Status unverified

    U023A, U0159 and U0146 set in ABS module after remote start

    2023f-250-super-duty, f-350-super-duty, f-450-super-duty · issued · NHTSA 10233769

    Ties the codes to the image processing module not communicating during remote start. Only the NHTSA summary was read.

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

Jeep

  • 2021–2022 · Grand Cherokee

    Supported by vehicle data

    FCA lists U0159-00 in a BSCM bulletin; an owner reports camera and ParkSense dropouts with the code.

  • S2108000149Status unverified

    U0159-00, U015C-00, U0102-00 and/or U1070-00 set in the BSCM

    2021grand-cherokee · issued · NHTSA 10212465

    Only the title was in the NHTSA summary. Only the NHTSA summary was read.

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

Chrysler

  • 1801322Status unverified

    PCM updates for communication DTCs including U0159

    2021300 · issued · NHTSA 10222991

    PCM reprogramming for a long list of codes. Only the NHTSA summary was read.

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

Ram

  • U0146A module lost communication with gateway module A, which passes messages between the vehicle networks

    Same system Supported by vehicle data

    Ford SSM 51486 lists U0146 with U0159 stored in the ABS module after remote start.

  • U0140Lost communication with the body control module

    Same system Possible — needs testing

    U0140 and U0159 appear together in the FCA code list for the 2021 Chrysler 300.

All Module network (CAN bus) communication codes

Sources and review

  1. Ford ASI 44643 (NHTSA 10057740): false U0159 on 2015 MKC at delivery — NHTSA (manufacturer communication)
  2. NHTSA complaint ODI 11485361: 2020 Ram 1500 — NHTSA (owner complaint)
  3. NHTSA complaint ODI 11753177: 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee — NHTSA (owner complaint)
  4. GM PIT5507E (NHTSA 10141372): DTC U0159 set in instrument cluster and/or body control module — NHTSA (manufacturer communication)
  5. FCA 1801322 (NHTSA 10222991): PCM flash, communication DTCs including U0159 — NHTSA (manufacturer communication)
  6. Ford SSM 51486 (NHTSA 10233769): U023A, U0159 and U0146 set in ABS module after remote start — NHTSA (manufacturer communication)
  7. FCA S2108000149 (NHTSA 10212465): U0159-00, U015C-00, U0102-00 and/or U1070-00 set in the BSCM — NHTSA (manufacturer communication)
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
Editorial review
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Technician review
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