U0327 code meaning
Software Incompatibility With Vehicle Security Control Module
What U0327 means
The vehicle security control module handles theft protection: alarm, monitoring of doors, hood and tailgate and, at some makers, the key check that unlocks the engine. Chrysler, for example, gives this job to its wireless control module, and its lost-contact code U0168 calls that unit the vehicle security control module (18-023-13). U0327 means another controller finds the software of this module unsuitable, typically after a replacement, a used part or an update of only one side. No manufacturer documents U0327 publicly. Where the security module also performs the key check, the engine controller withholds release and the car will not start; elsewhere the alarm, remote locking or panic function misbehaves. U0326 covers a separate immobilizer module, U0168 lost contact and U0427 invalid data. No MIL is expected.
U0327 at a glance
- Check engine lightUsually not
- Emissions testNot an emissions code
- Limp modeNot expected
- Repair difficultyWorkshop only
- Typical labor0.5 to 2 hours
- Clears after repairWhen cleared with a scanner
Symptoms of U0327
- No start or start refused although the key is accepted at the door
- Alarm triggers without reason or cannot be armed
- Security lamp flashing, remote locking unreliable
Common causes of U0327
- Most likelySecurity or wireless control module replaced without programming and key learning
- PossibleEngine or body controller updated while the security module kept old software
- Less likelyAftermarket alarm or remote start interfering with the security data
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Vehicle security moduleControl module software
What each part of U0327 means
| U | Network system: communication between the control modules (CAN bus). |
| 0 | Generic code: it means the same on every make (SAE standard). |
| 27 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note U0327 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 U0327
What does U0327 mean?
U0327 means "Software Incompatibility With Vehicle Security Control Module". The vehicle security control module handles theft protection: alarm, monitoring of doors, hood and tailgate and, at some makers, the key check that unlocks the engine. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with U0327?
U0327 does not normally turn on the check engine light by itself. Watch for the symptoms above and have it checked soon.
Will U0327 fail an emissions test?
U0327 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 U0327 to fix?
Difficulty: workshop only. A typical repair takes 0.5 to 2 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will U0327 clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.