U0229 code meaning
Lost Communication With Heated Steering Wheel Module
What U0229 means
U0229 means the heated steering wheel module no longer answers. GM PIT5883G (December 2022) explains one harmless case: many 2022–2023 GM models were built during a parts shortage with the heated wheel disabled (RPO 00G); there U0229, together with U152B or U1530, may be stored, should be ignored and lights no warning. Ford SSM 47850 shows why the module's location varies: on cars with adaptive steering, heating is handled by the SECM, a steering effort controller inside the wheel, while other cars carry a separate HSWM. Power for the rim heater and its thermistor passes through the clockspring, as a Ford patent illustrates. U052A covers invalid data from the module. No MIL.
U0229 at a glance
- Check engine lightUsually not
- Emissions testNot an emissions code
- Limp modeNot expected
- Repair difficultyMedium
- Typical labor0.2 to 3 hours
- Clears after repairWhen cleared with a scanner
Symptoms of U0229
- Steering wheel heating does not switch on
- Heater button indicator does not respond
- Code stored without any noticeable fault (feature not fitted or disabled)
Common causes of U0229
- Most likelyModule without fuse feed or ground
- PossibleHeated wheel disabled from the factory (GM RPO 00G), code to be ignored
- PossibleClockspring interrupted (when the module sits in the steering wheel)
- Less likelyHeated steering wheel module failed or not configured
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Heated steering moduleClockspringCAN bus
What each part of U0229 means
| U | Network system: communication between the control modules (CAN bus). |
| 0 | Generic code: it means the same on every make (SAE standard). |
| 29 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note U0229 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 U0229
What does U0229 mean?
U0229 means "Lost Communication With Heated Steering Wheel Module". U0229 means the heated steering wheel module no longer answers. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with U0229?
U0229 does not normally turn on the check engine light by itself. Watch for the symptoms above and have it checked soon.
Will U0229 fail an emissions test?
U0229 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 U0229 to fix?
Difficulty: medium. A typical repair takes 0.2 to 3 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will U0229 clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.