Fault Code Lookup › Network codes › U0401

U0401 Network · generic OBD-II

Invalid Data Received From ECM/PCM

U0401 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 39 complaints filed with NHTSA. Updated November 3, 2026.

Owners also write it as U040171 (the last two characters are the sub-code).

  • 39owner reports
  • 26car models
  • 0mention a crash
  • 0mention a fire
  • 2013–2024model years

Which cars get code U0401?

Every model whose owners mentioned U0401 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.

Where does U0401 show up?

By brand

  • Ford15
  • Chevrolet8
  • Jeep6
  • GMC4
  • Dodge3
  • Chrysler2
  • Ram1

Component the owner filed it under

  1. Power Train24 (61.5%)
  2. Electrical System16 (41%)
  3. Engine15 (38.5%)
  4. Vehicle Speed Control13 (33.3%)
  5. Steering6 (15.4%)
  6. Service Brakes5 (12.8%)

Is there a recall for U0401?

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: Manual Transmission Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak. NHTSA campaign 26V376000 · June 9, 2026 · Affected cars

2016 Ford Fusion. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Power Train: Automatic Transmission Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150 vehicles. A loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into second gear. NHTSA campaign 26V237000 · April 14, 2026 · Affected cars

2017 Ford F-150, 2016 Ford F-150. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Power Train: Automatic Transmission Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Bronco vehicles. The transmission to transfer case joint may be misaligned due to an incorrectly performed previous repair, which could lead to wear of the transmission output shaft splines and transfer case input splines. NHTSA campaign 26V236000 · April 14, 2026 · Affected cars

2024 Ford Bronco. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Control Module: Software General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, 3500, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles that may have been repaired incorrectly under recall 24V797. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to… NHTSA campaign 26V083000 · February 12, 2026 · Affected cars

2020 GMC Sierra. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Lever And Linkage: Floor Shift Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Dodge Dart vehicles. The shifter cable may detach from the transmission, preventing the vehicle from shifting into the park (P) position and causing a loss of park function. NHTSA campaign 25V674000 · October 9, 2025 · Affected cars

2016 Dodge Dart, 2015 Dodge Dart. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Fluid/Lubricant: Valves/Valve Body Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Bronco, 2024 Ranger, 2025 Mustang, Explorer, and Aviator vehicles. The transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse gear failure, or unexpected forward movement in reverse or neutral gear. NHTSA campaign 25V164000 · March 14, 2025 · Affected cars

2024 Ford Bronco. 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 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V-267. The body and power train control modules may fail to detect a change in the 12-volt battery state of charge. NHTSA campaign 25V158000 · March 14, 2025 · Affected cars

2023 Ford Maverick. 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, 2022 Escape, and 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V-330. The Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software may cause the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly, causing a… NHTSA campaign 25V133000 · February 28, 2025 · Affected cars

2023 Ford Maverick. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

What happened when owners saw U0401?

10 of the 39 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.

Truck completely lost power while driving on the highway 4 times and 4 other times during morning commute through busy streets. Dangerous circumstance to be put in while driving. Codes given at Auto Zone: P2112 U3013-16 U0401-02 U0401-00 U0131-00 U0151-00 U0100-00
2016 Ford F-150Power Train, Electrical SystemNHTSA complaint 11523692 · May 24, 2023
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS NOW, MY JEEP SUDDENLY LOSES POWER AND DECELERATES. THE ENGINE LIGHT, ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT AND STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT COME ON, THE JEEP RUNS VERY ROUGH AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE. AFTER PULLING OVER AND TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE OTHER LIGHTS GO OFF BUT AFTER DRIVING A BIT THE PROBLEM OCCURS AGAIN. WHEN SCANNED THE CODE IS U0401 STATING THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH COMMUNICATION TO THE PCM. THERE IS ONLY 88700 MILES ON THE JEEP. THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY IS GOOD TO 100000 BUT THE DEALERSHIP STATES THAT THE PCM IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE DRIVETRAIN WARRANTY. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE THERE ARE…
2015 Jeep CompassVehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), EngineNHTSA complaint 11162124 · Dec 17, 2018
I have a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu and while driving on the highway, my engine light came on and my speed decelerated from 65 mph to 40. I took my car for a diagnostic test and the results were Trouble Codes: P2138, U0401-71 and C0242-00. I have done my research and from what I have found so far, is that several people have made Youtube videos about these codes, complaints and complaints on this website as well, and it has come to my understanding, that if enough people complain that this can be a safety issue, then maybe the "POWERS THAT BE", will help with this issue and possibly resolve it. This is and can be dangerous for an individual to drive at the average speed on most U.S. highways, 65…
2016 Chevrolet MalibuPower Train, Vehicle Speed ControlNHTSA complaint 11421147 · Jun 16, 2021
My 2019 Chrysler Pacifica experienced repeated electrical/network communication failures. The first sign was erratic dashboard behavior and a check-engine light in our resort parking lot. We drove to Pep Boys, where it was evaluated and we were told it was okay to drive. We then drove to Chick-fil-A (.4 miles from Pep Boys). While stopped in the drive-thru in Drive with my foot on the brake, the vehicle began dinging, the engine revved, and multiple warning lights/messages appeared, including the check-engine light, red electronic throttle control warning, “Blind Spot Alert Temporarily Unavailable,” “Service Trans Stop Safely Shut Off Engine to Engage Park,” and “Stop/Start Not Ready.” After…
2019 Chrysler PacificaPower Train, Electrical System, EngineNHTSA complaint 11766093 · Sep 22, 2026
On August 13, 2026, the vehicle was taken to an authorized Dodge dealership for an electrical-system problem at approximately 105,111 miles. The vehicle required a jump start and the battery failed a load test. The dealer replaced the battery, calibrated the electronic steering sensor, cleared all diagnostic trouble codes, and documented that the repairs were verified. Approximately two days after the vehicle was returned, diagnostic trouble code U0401 appeared and the vehicle had to be returned to the dealership. The vehicle has now remained at the dealership for several days without a substantive diagnosis or explanation of the cause. The vehicle also has a significant shift-cable recall…
2016 Dodge DartSteering, Power Train, Electrical SystemNHTSA complaint 11759900 · Aug 27, 2026
The vehicle is just under 37K miles. I was operating the vehicle normally, and the wrench icon came on, indicating a powertrain issue. There are recalls for this for some vehicles but not all, and it seems to occur just after warranties expiring. I am concerned my vehicle falls under this service bulletin but has not been properly added: SSM 49157 - 2020 Escape - Illuminated MIL With DTCs U0100, U0401, P166B, P1753, P0929, And/Or P0919 Some 2020 Escape vehicles may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) U0100, U0401, P166B, P1753, P0929, and/or P0919. The vehicle may also exhibit an illuminated powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator…
2020 Ford EscapePower Train, Electrical SystemNHTSA complaint 11644872 · Feb 25, 2025
1) power train system- P090C AND P090C-00 clutch b actuator circuit low causing transmission to slip. dangerous when driving 2) anti-lock brake system code U0401-00 and U3003-16
2014 Ford FocusPower Train, Service BrakesNHTSA complaint 11676415 · Jul 26, 2025
I got off a highway exit ramp and with no warning my brakes were hard to press. There was no warning lights on my dash. The brakes take a lot of force to push for a stop. The warning light finally came on a day later with codes p0556 and u040171.
2020 GMC TerrainService BrakesNHTSA complaint 11666535 · Jun 12, 2025
THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS SEEM TO BE CRACKING IN THE SAME PLACE. BUT THE MOST POPULAR ISSUES IS THE RED LIGHTNING BOLT- CHECK ENGINE LIGHT(U0401)- AND THE TRACTION CONTROLF LIGHTS COME ON THE DASH AND THE CAR IS STUCK IN "LIMP MODE" AND EVERYONE IS SAYING ON JEEPS SITE THAT ITS THE THROTTLE BODY AND THEN SOME STILL HAVE PROBLEMS AFTER THAT. I SAW ONLINE THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE BREAKS, THE ENGINE IN 2013, AND THE AIRBAGS AND SEAT BELT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BUT I GO TO ALL THE OFFICIAL SITES AND WHEN I USE MY VIN THE ONLY RECALL IS FOR THE SEATBELT. PLEASE HELP
2014 Jeep PatriotElectrical System, Vehicle Speed Control, EngineNHTSA complaint 11408247 · Apr 15, 2021
At startup, I would receive a message that said, steering assist reduced. There were no check engine lights or warning lights. My air conditioning stopped working, and my temperature gauge on the dash remained at cold. I also noticed the radiator fans were on full blast, continuously. I called the dealer, and they weren't sure what was causing that. I told them I was getting codes #U0401 & P0128. They asked me to clear the codes to see if they returned. I cleared the codes, but they returned immediately on restart of the engine. I'm going to replace the thermostat but i didn't understand the #U0401 code, so did further research. I found 2017 Bulletin #17-NA-158 which seamed relevent to my…
2019 Chevrolet BlazerPower Train, Electrical System, EngineNHTSA complaint 11666997 · Jun 15, 2025

U0401: questions drivers ask

What does code U0401 mean?

U0401 is a generic OBD-II network code. Its standard definition is "Invalid Data Received From ECM/PCM". 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 26 car models.

Which cars get code U0401 most often?

In NHTSA owner complaints, U0401 is mentioned most for the Ford F-150 (5), Jeep Compass (3), Chevrolet Malibu (2), across 26 models and model years 2013 to 2024. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.

Is there a recall for code U0401?

No NHTSA recall text names U0401 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 U0401?

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 U0401 (including sub-code forms such as U040171). The definition is the generic SAE J2012 wording; a carmaker may use the code slightly differently. Nothing here is a diagnosis. Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain), retrieved November 3, 2026. How CarHooq reports are made.

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