U0131 code meaning
Lost Communication With Power Steering Control Module A
Network system Generic code U01xx codes Check engine light
What U0131 means
U0131 means a listener on the bus has missed the cyclic frames of power steering control module A, normally the electric steering unit on rack or column. GM documents several receivers: the ECM of 2019 models flags it after 10 s without message $1E5 as a Type C, emissions-neutral fault and then stops basing auto-stop decisions on steering angle; the EBCM reacts after 0.025 s, and the 2025 EOCM3 after 0.05–0.25 s, switching off adaptive cruise (Special Type C, no MIL). FCA, by contrast, reports a lit check-engine lamp on Jeep models. Bulletins blame a blown 80 A mega fuse (Ford Transit Connect), PSCM software (Ford Super Duty 2020) and a chafed transmission harness (Jeep Cherokee diesel). Steering assist may drop.
U0131 at a glance
- Check engine lightYes, usually on
- Emissions testNot an emissions code
- Limp modePossible
- Repair difficultyMedium
- Typical labor0.5 to 5 hours
- Clears after repairWhen cleared with a scanner
Symptoms of U0131
- Reduced or no steering assist, heavy steering
- EPS or steering fault message in the cluster
- Adaptive cruise control switched off (GM)
- Check-engine lamp on some vehicles (e.g. Jeep)
Common causes of U0131
- Most likelyHigh-current fuse, supply or ground of the steering module open (e.g. Ford mega fuse F2)
- PossibleChafed or damaged harness on the bus or wake-up line (e.g. Jeep Cherokee, GM circuit 5986)
- PossibleSteering module software, fixed by an update (Ford Super Duty 2020)
- Less likelyPower steering control module internally failed
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Power steering moduleCAN bus wiring
What each part of U0131 means
| U | Network system: communication between the control modules (CAN bus). |
| 0 | Generic code: it means the same on every make (SAE standard). |
| 31 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note U0131 and any other codes stored with it: several codes together often point to one cause.
- Check for loose connectors and damaged wiring around the parts the code names.
- Check open recalls for your car: some faults are fixed for free by the dealer. Enter your VIN.
- Clear the code only after the repair. If it comes back, the fault is still there.
Buying a used car? Scan it for stored codes before you pay. A recently cleared memory can hide a problem.
Questions about U0131
What does U0131 mean?
U0131 means "Lost Communication With Power Steering Control Module A". U0131 means a listener on the bus has missed the cyclic frames of power steering control module A, normally the electric steering unit on rack or column. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with U0131?
Drive gently and only to a workshop. With U0131 the car can go into limp mode (reduced power) to protect itself.
Will U0131 fail an emissions test?
U0131 is not an emissions code, so on its own it usually does not fail an emissions test. Other stored codes or a lit check engine light still can.
How hard is U0131 to fix?
Difficulty: medium. A typical repair takes 0.5 to 5 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will U0131 clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.