U3000 on Ford

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

Severity: Inspect soon

U3000 often sits in a safety system. Ford links it to lack of steering assist, and Honda to an airbag (SRS) unit fault, so get it diagnosed soon.

It gets more serious if:

Stop: Stop in a safe place if steering assist is lost or the car shows a Do not drive message. Sudden loss of steering assist raises crash risk.

Safety-critical system: explanation only, no DIY steps. Source: how we rate severity

This page covers only what differs on Ford. For what U3000 means, the ranked causes and the test order, see the U3000 guide.

2020 · Escape
Supported by vehicle data
Ford SSM 48831: lack of steering assist with U3000 in the power steering module, set by a battery charger with the key on (also Lincoln Corsair). Whether it is still current is not verified.
2021 · F-150
Supported by vehicle data
Ford SSM 51894 (U3000:96, steering assist fault, low battery voltage) and SSM 49684 (U3000:49 in the front camera module). Whether they are still current is not verified.
2020–2021 · Explorer
Supported by vehicle data
Ford SSM 49437: false U3000:42 and U0415 in the rear camera module (also Lincoln Aviator). Whether it is still current is not verified.

SSM 48831Status unverified
Lack of power steering assist with U3000 in the PSCM
2020escape · issued May 21, 2020 · NHTSA 10176118
U3000 in the power steering module is set when a battery charger is installed and the key cycled on; it can then be cleared. Also covers the Lincoln Corsair.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
SSM 51894Status unverified
Lack of steering assist at start-up with U3000:96
2021f-150 · issued August 28, 2023 · NHTSA 10241619
Steering Assist Fault at start-up with U3001 and U3000:96 in the power steering module; may be due to low battery voltage.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
SSM 49684Status unverified
U3000:49 in the IPMA
2021f-150 · issued March 22, 2021 · NHTSA 10189574
U3000:49 in the front camera module may not clear because of learned values; run the IPMA reset routine.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
SSM 49437Status unverified
False U0415 and/or U3000:42 in IPMB
2020–2021explorer · issued January 12, 2021 · NHTSA 10186401
2020-2021 Explorer and Aviator built on or before 7 Dec 2020 may falsely store these codes in the rear camera module.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Ford SSM 48831: 2020 Escape/Corsair lack of power steering assist with U3000 in the PSCM — Ford Motor Company / NHTSA , May 21, 2020
Ford SSM 51894: 2021 F-150 lack of steering assist at start-up with U3000:96 in the PSCM — Ford Motor Company / NHTSA , August 28, 2023
Ford SSM 49684: 2021 F-150 U3000:49 in the IPMA — Ford Motor Company / NHTSA , March 22, 2021
Ford SSM 49437: Explorer/Aviator falsely store U0415 and/or U3000:42 in IPMB — Ford Motor Company / NHTSA , January 12, 2021
Honda A21100B: SRS DTC U3000-49 (internal failure of the SRS unit) — American Honda Motor Co. / NHTSA , January 29, 2022
Mitchell 1: Troubleshooting Honda seat weight sensor — Vehicle Service Pros (Mitchell 1) , January 14, 2025

This page explains what a code usually means; it is not a substitute for a professional inspection. How we source and review · Report an error