Fault Code Lookup › Network codes › U0103
U0103 Network · generic OBD-II
Lost Communication With Gear Shift Module
U0103 is a standard code covering network: communication between the car's control modules. It names the system that logged the fault, not the part that failed. Below: which cars owners reported it on, what happened, and recalls on those cars, from 9 complaints filed with NHTSA. Updated November 9, 2026.
- 9owner reports
- 6car models
- 0mention a crash
- 0mention a fire
- 2013–2020model years
Which cars get code U0103?
Every model whose owners mentioned U0103 in a complaint, most reports first. Each year opens that car's full problem report. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.
Volkswagen Eos
2 reportsVolkswagen Golf
2 reportsFord Escape
1 reportJeep Cherokee
1 reportMercedes-Benz C-Class
1 reportWhere does U0103 show up?
By brand
- Volkswagen4
- Chrysler2
- Mercedes-Benz1
- Ford1
- Jeep1
Component the owner filed it under
Is there a recall for U0103?
The others concern the component owners file this code under (Power Train) on the same cars; they may or may not relate to the code. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Power Train Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may become damaged and disengage the transmission and differential, resulting in a loss of drive power and/or loss of park function.
2018 Jeep Cherokee. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.
Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Maverick, 2020-2022 Escape, and 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software may cause the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power.
2020 Ford Escape. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.
Power Train: Driveline: Driveshaft Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Edge, 2020 Lincoln Nautilus and Ford Escape and 2021 Lincoln Corsair and Ford Bronco Sport vehicles. An inadequate amount of lubricant in the rear drive unit may cause seizure of the rear drive axle.
2020 Ford Escape. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.
Power Train: Automatic Transmission Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Edge, Transit Connect and Lincoln MKX and 2020 Escape and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing or loose bolts.
2020 Ford Escape. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.
Power Train: Automatic Transmission Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica non-hybrid vehicles. A component in the transmission may not have been welded properly, possibly causing the transmission to not transmit engine power to the wheels.
2018 Chrysler Pacifica. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.
Power Train: Axle Assembly: Axle Shaft Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. The front axle halfshafts may have been incorrectly assembled, preventing the shaft from being properly secured to the constant-velocity (CV) joint.
2018 Chrysler Pacifica. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.
Power Train: Axle Assembly: Axle Shaft Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Cherokee all-wheel-drive vehicles. The bearing cage for the right front halfshaft assembly may not have been properly heat treated, possibly resulting in the bearing cage breaking and a potential halfshaft assembly failure.
2018 Jeep Cherokee. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.
Power Train: Driveline: Differential Unit Vantage Mobility International, LLC (VMI) is recalling certain 2017 Chrysler Pacifica lowered floor vehicles modified by VMI. The rear pinion bracket on both sides of the vehicle may crack, causing the axle not to be centered and the wheel to wobble.
2017 Chrysler Pacifica. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.
What happened when owners saw U0103?
9 of the 9 reports, spread across the models above, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
…The warning continued, with stored codes U0103, U1465, U1467, and U11E3. Mall of Georgia Chrysler identified the same codes but again replaced the main battery and service shifter module. The vehicle malfunctioned after those repairs, was returned for further diagnosis, and then suffered this roadway failure immediately after its next release. Despite repeated repair attempts, no root cause has been documented. The dealership proposed replacing another transmission-related module and electrical component but could not guarantee the repair. I am concerned that parts are being replaced through trial and error while the safety defect remains unresolved. Chrysler TSB 21-027-17 Rev. A addresses…
On 2 separate occasions, I lost transmission service to my 2016 VW EOS. 65K miles. While driving, my RPM increased dramatically, and it felt like the car went into neutral and wouldn't accelerate. I came to a slow, uncontrolled stop on the side of the road. The EPC code, check engine light and the gear indicator warning lights were flashing. It was very scary to not have any control of the car. Very unsafe situation. The code reader indicated code U0103 meaning "lost communication with gear shift module". LP and Sons DeLand FL, repaired the vehicle, citing: remove and replace transmission gear shift.
While driving on the freeway the car stopped accelerating and would only rev when gas pedal was pressed. I coasted to the fast lane shoulder and put on hazard lights. CHP had to stop freeway traffic to push me to the side of the freeway. Car eventually restarted and let me put into gear. I drove to Auto repair store and they scanned car. Code U0103 came back: No communication with gear shift module.
VEHICLE PURCHASED 5/12/20. ON 5/22/20, AT ODO 84 MILES, ON STARTUP, VEHICLE DISPLAYED POWERTRAIN FAULT - ILLUMINATES WHEN A POWERTRAIN OR AWD FAULT HAS BEEN DETECTED. CONTACT YOUR AUTHORIZED DEALER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. VEHICLE FLAT BED TOWED TO SUNSTATE FORD WEST COLONIAL DR ORLANDO FL (PURCHASE DEALERSHIP). SERVICE TEAM HAD VEHICLE 5 DAYS. CLEARED CODES U0131, U0100, U0140, U0155, U0198, U0253, U0257, P0919, U0212, U023A, U0103, U0111, U0121, U013F, U0159, U0232, U0233, U0293, U0401, U0415, U0420, U0424, U0531, U0101, U0418, U0429, U0146. 4 MILE TEST DRIVE. 20 MILE DRIVE RETURNED VEHICLE WITH NO CAUSE OR CORRECTION. ONLY EXPLAINED POWERTRAIN FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. SINCE RETURN…
Service Air Bag Light came on three different times when turning left. The third time it came on the vehicle died in the middle of an intersection and dashboard lights lit up. Took vehicle to Dealer, they said there were codes and a star case S1808000180, they tore apart center console. Did not find a problem, they test drove car and said no more codes. I picked up vehicle and after driving approx. 30 miles home, service air bag light came on again while stopped at light and car died. Car was towed to second dealer, codes popped up U0103, U11DE, U0002, U1465, C10CD. Dealer did not know how to fix. Called Jeep customer cares. Car has been out of service since May 13, 2022. Going to a third…
Reported to local dealer and corporate office about the issues with shift module not shifting at random, meaning that the vehicle won't shift from park to drive or reverse, and so forth. The local dealer tried to reprogram the software, but the problem still persists. When plugging in my OBD II & DTC readers, code U0103 appairs which translates to "Lost communication with gear shift control module". My concern with this is that I've had this issue while in traffic, which would make my vehicle a hazard. When it comes to the collision prevention system, the system randomly turns on and off, meaning that when it's needed it might turn on, but when it's not needed it randomly turns on. Once…
2018 Chrysler Pacifica PHEV subject to Safety Recall 73B (NHTSA 24V-536) for HV battery fire risk. Following the recall repair at Fremont CDJR (Newark, CA) in January-February 2025, this vehicle has experienced systematic cascading hybrid drivetrain failures across 5 repair visits totaling 57 days out of service: (1) CAN bus star connector failure — 10 modules with fault codes U0103/U0001; (2) Hybrid Control Processor failure — required 14 flash attempts to program; (3) $1,786.67 repair failed within 23 miles — CEL and BRAKE warning light appeared simultaneously; (4) Complete transmission removal required to replace auxiliary transmission fluid pump (DTC P2797-00); (5) Power Inverter Module…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN EOS. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. ALSO, THE SERVICE VEHICLE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT'S DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE READER PROVIDED CODE: U0103. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,500.
The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the messages "Service Vehicle - Place Vehicle in Park" and "Transmission Error" were displayed, with an audible chime. The “Gearbox Overheating” warning light was illuminated. The vehicle felt as if the transmission was in neutral(N), and the RPM became elevated, and the A/C stopped blowing cool air. The vehicle was turned off and restarted and independently reset. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and DTC: U0103, P0914, and B1162-29 were retrieved. The contact referenced a repair under TSB: 2047609. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed…
U0103: questions drivers ask
What does code U0103 mean?
U0103 is a generic OBD-II network code. Its standard definition is "Lost Communication With Gear Shift Module". The code tells you which system set the fault, not which part failed; the owner reports on this page show what it meant in practice for 6 car models.
Which cars get code U0103 most often?
In NHTSA owner complaints, U0103 is mentioned most for the Chrysler Pacifica (2), Volkswagen Eos (2), Volkswagen Golf (2), across 6 models and model years 2013 to 2020. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.
Is there a recall for code U0103?
No NHTSA recall text names U0103 directly. 8 recalls on the cars that report this code concern the same component owners name most (Power Train); they may or may not relate to the code. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What should I do if my car shows U0103?
Write down when the code appeared and what the car did (warning lights, loss of power, noises, speed, weather). Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer or independent workshop to read the stored freeze-frame data before anyone clears the code, and keep the repair order. If the car loses power in traffic, stop driving it. CarHooq does not diagnose: these are owner reports and official recall notices, not repair advice.
How this page was made
CarHooq read the text of every owner complaint filed with NHTSA for 19 US and European brands (model years 2012 onwards) and picked out the diagnostic trouble codes owners wrote down. This page lists every mention of U0103. The definition is the generic SAE J2012 wording; a carmaker may use the code slightly differently. Nothing here is a diagnosis. More answers: the fault code FAQ. Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain), retrieved November 9, 2026. How CarHooq reports are made.
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