Fault Code Lookup › Network codes › U0420

U0420 Network · generic OBD-II

Invalid Data Received From Power Steering Control Module

U0420 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 32 complaints filed with NHTSA. Updated November 3, 2026.

Owners also write it as U042081 (the last two characters are the sub-code).

  • 32owner reports
  • 14car models
  • 1mention a crash
  • 0mention a fire
  • 2013–2023model years

Which cars get code U0420?

Every model whose owners mentioned U0420 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 U0420 show up?

By brand

  • Chevrolet14
  • Ford9
  • Jeep4
  • GMC3
  • Chrysler2

Component the owner filed it under

  1. Steering25 (78.1%)
  2. Electrical System13 (40.6%)
  3. Service Brakes7 (21.9%)
  4. Electronic Stability Control (ESC)6 (18.8%)
  5. Power Train5 (15.6%)
  6. Structure1 (3.1%)

Is there a recall for U0420?

The others concern the component owners file this code under (Steering) on the same cars; they may or may not relate to the code. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Steering: Steering Control Module General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. A software issue may cause a loss of power steering assist at startup or while driving. NHTSA campaign 21V455000 · June 17, 2021 · Affected cars

2021 GMC Yukon. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Steering: Electric Power Assist System General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles. The power steering assist may be lost due to a poor electrical connection within the steering gear assembly. NHTSA campaign 21V213000 · March 25, 2021 · Affected cars

2015 Chevrolet Colorado, 2015 GMC Canyon. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Steering: Electric Power Assist System Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 Ford Edge, and 2016 Lincoln MKX vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan… NHTSA campaign 19V632000 · August 29, 2019 · Affected cars

2014 Ford Fusion, 2016 Ford Fusion. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Steering: Rack And Pinion: Rack Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The steering rack gear may break, possibly causing a loss of steering control. NHTSA campaign 19V637000 · August 29, 2019 · Affected cars

2020 Jeep Cherokee. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion vehicles. The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving. NHTSA campaign 18V167000 · March 12, 2018 · Affected cars

2014 Ford Fusion, 2016 Ford Fusion. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Steering: Electric Power Assist System General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles manufactured January 6, 2015, to March 17, 2015, and 2015 GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured January 6, 2015, to March 19, 2015. A poor electrical connection within the steering gear connector may cause a loss of… NHTSA campaign 16V054000 · February 1, 2016 · Affected cars

2015 Chevrolet Colorado, 2015 GMC Canyon. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Steering: Electric Power Assist System Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford… NHTSA campaign 15V340000 · June 2, 2015 · Affected cars

2013 Ford Taurus. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Steering: Electric Power Assist System Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured February 3, 2012, to March 20, 2015, and 2015 Ford Edge vehicles manufactured February 26, 2015, to February 28, 2015, and originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut… NHTSA campaign 15V250000 · April 28, 2015 · Affected cars

2014 Ford Fusion. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

What happened when owners saw U0420?

10 of the 32 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.

Intermittent total loss of power steering assistance while driving at speed, accompanied by the immediate illumination of the Traction Control and StabiliTrak warning indicators on the dashboard. The loss of power steering creates a sudden and severe handling hazard. This safety issue has occurred more than 15 times since this vehicle was purchase used in December of 2025. A diagnostic scan reveals specific diagnostic trouble codes: C0545-00 (Steering Wheel Torque Sensor Hardware Failure), C0460-5A (Steering Wheel Angle Sensor Plausibility), U0420-42 (Invalid Data Received from PSCM), and C0280-00. The power steering also intermittently returns to normal functionality after the vehicle sits…
2016 Chevrolet ColoradoSteering, Electrical System, Service BrakesNHTSA complaint 11764177 · Sep 14, 2026
Sudden Loss of Power Steering Assistance and Simultaneous ABS/AdvanceTrac System Faults I am submitting this complaint to document a serious vehicle safety incident involving my 2014 Ford Fusion SE. The vehicle experienced a loss of communication with the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM), accompanied by faults affecting the ABS and traction/stability control systems. During the incident, the dashboard illuminated multiple warning lights, and the steering suddenly became extremely difficult to operate. The simultaneous loss of power steering assistance and warnings involving critical vehicle safety systems created a serious potential crash hazard, particularly at highway speeds or during…
2014 Ford FusionSteering, Electrical System, Service BrakesNHTSA complaint 11772002 · Oct 19, 2026
Sudden total loss of power steering assist while driving over a small pothole on Pearman Dairy Road. Full details, diagnostic trouble codes (U0420-00, U0010-00, U1428-00, B2309-64), and Jeep case reference 97368807 are fully documented in the attached formal PDF letter
2020 Jeep CherokeeSteering, Electrical SystemNHTSA complaint 11755280 · Aug 6, 2026
My 2020 Chevrolet Malibu experienced a sudden and severe electrical failure after driving through normal roadway water. Immediately afterward, the vehicle displayed multiple safety‑critical warnings including loss of power steering assist, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) faults, brake control faults, and reduced propulsion. A GM dealership inspected the vehicle, scanned the modules, and found more than a dozen network and chassis‑related diagnostic trouble codes, including: B3979, U0164, B1325, B3122, U0121, C0196, C0460, B1011, B097B, B3205, C056E, C056D, U0420, U1510, C0545, U0422. These codes indicate failures in the steering system, brake control module, stability control system, body…
2020 Chevrolet MalibuSteering, Electrical System, Service BrakesNHTSA complaint 11755071 · Aug 5, 2026
When going a certain speed car will jerk and shift roughly into next gear, Faulty air bag system shown on dashboard. Car had been struggling to start lately went to Autozone with the check engine light now showing. Diagnostic machine advised Power Train System issues / Antilock brake system issues. Codes: P1634, U0420-00, C2101-17, & C1246-1C Mileage: 111250 upon doing my research these are common issues with this vehicle but yet no recall could be found for my specific vehicles using Vin #
2015 Chrysler 200Power Train, Air BagsNHTSA complaint 11548371 · Oct 5, 2023
POWER STEERING STOPPED WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HIS VEHICLE FROM A PARKING LOT ONTO A BUSY ROAD. THE BLINKERS ALSO DO NOT STAY ON AND HAVE TO BE HELD DOWN WHILE TRYING TO TURN A STEERING WHEEL WITH NO POWER. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY VERY DANGEROUS! THE ERROR CODES THAT CAME UP ARE U3000-49, U3000-96, U3000-72, U042081, U046B-86. THERE IS A RECALL ON 2013 FORD TAURUS BUT FOR SOME REASON OUR VIN IS NOT LISTED IN THE RECALLS, HOWEVER WE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AS DISCRIBED IN THIS RECALL. FORD IS REFUSING TO HELP US GET THIS RESOLVED AND TELLING US THAT WE MUST PAY FOR THE COST OF SOMETHING THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN REPORTED ON 2013 VEHICLES. RECALL CODE 15S18. IT APPEARS FORD IS NOT TAKING…
2013 Ford TaurusSteeringNHTSA complaint 11342152 · Jul 29, 2020
Driving down the road and power (electric) steering goes out. Power steering and traction control warnings lit up on the display. Almost impossible to steer without power steering. I am lucky that this didn't cause an accident-- very scary. This seems to be the same issue as the recall for the 2015s, but GM didn't recall the 2016s (even though online forums report that it was the same part number for 2016 as 2015). Reported same codes when the truck was the same as those reported by others (C0545: Steering Wheel Torque Sensor, also U0420: invalid data reported from steering control module). Upload button below disappears when I try to upload my invoice--but invoice included remove and…
2016 GMC CanyonSteering, Service BrakesNHTSA complaint 11561192 · Dec 20, 2023
As I was driving, my car decided to just turn off. All of the electronics turned off and I lost ignition. Moments later, while I was still rolling, the car turned back on. This issue has happened multiple times but nothing super serios ever happened and i was able to maintain control of the vehicle every time. Since it is a manual transmission, I was able to stay in gear and continue on. The issue with the steering came after the car turned back on. The "SERVICE POWER STEERING, DRIVE WITH CARE" message came across my screen. I used my scanner to see what the codes are, and it have me a "Power Steering Control Module" C0800-03 code, as well as a "Keyless Entry" U0140, a "Parking Assist…
2017 Chevrolet SSSteering, Electrical SystemNHTSA complaint 11626945 · Nov 22, 2024
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…
2020 Ford EscapePower Train, Electrical System, StructureNHTSA complaint 11330875 · Jun 25, 2020
Randomly whilst driving, my dash had multiple error messages pop up and my power steering went out completely. The error messages were as follows: Service AdvanceTrac, Terrain Management System Fault, Hill Start Assist Not Available, & Power Steering Assit Fault. This keeps happening intermittently, while I am driving. This causes a serious safety issue, for my steering wheel to lock up while I am driving! I did get the codes for the errors and they are as follows: U0420-41, C0051-67, U0151-00, U0131-00. My ABS system failed check, as well. This is a known issue with Ford vehicles, as there have already been recalls for previous models. According to [XXX]: "Ford has recalled earlier model…
2016 Ford ExplorerSteering, Power Train, Electrical SystemNHTSA complaint 11613985 · Sep 11, 2024

U0420: questions drivers ask

What does code U0420 mean?

U0420 is a generic OBD-II network code. Its standard definition is "Invalid Data Received From Power Steering Control 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 14 car models.

Which cars get code U0420 most often?

In NHTSA owner complaints, U0420 is mentioned most for the Chevrolet Colorado (11), Ford Fusion (3), Jeep Cherokee (3), across 14 models and model years 2013 to 2023. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.

Is there a recall for code U0420?

No NHTSA recall text names U0420 directly. 8 recalls on the cars that report this code concern the same component owners name most (Steering); they may or may not relate to the code. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What should I do if my car shows U0420?

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 U0420 (including sub-code forms such as U042081). 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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