U0471 code meaning
Invalid Data Received From Restraints System Sensor A
What U0471 means
U0471 is logged when the airbag controller still receives telegrams from restraints sensor A but rejects their content, for example because of a parity error, a reading outside the sensor's range or values that contradict the other crash sensors. Lost contact would be U0170. In Chrysler's diagnostic lists for the 2008 Jeep Wrangler, Compass, Patriot and Liberty, filed with NHTSA in investigation PE11-019, letter A stands for the left-hand up-front satellite, an acceleration sensor, with B1B70 for its internal fault. GM uses the letter differently: Saab's 2011 9-5 code list names U0170 as the passenger presence detection module, so on GM-based cars sensor A may belong to occupant sensing. Acura reports a silent left front sensor under its own code B0090. Expect the airbag lamp and weaker frontal crash sensing; no MIL.
U0471 at a glance
- Check engine lightUsually not
- Emissions testNot an emissions code
- Limp modeNot expected
- Repair difficultyHard
- Typical labor0.5 to 1.5 hours
- Clears after repairWhen cleared with a scanner
Symptoms of U0471
- Airbag warning lamp stays on
- Fault code stored in the restraints control module, sometimes with an internal sensor code
Common causes of U0471
- Most likelyWater or corrosion at the connector of a front satellite sensor in the engine bay
- PossibleSensor or its bracket deformed by a minor frontal impact
- Less likelyReplacement sensor of the wrong part number or orientation fitted
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Restraints system sensor a
What each part of U0471 means
| U | Network system: communication between the control modules (CAN bus). |
| 0 | Generic code: it means the same on every make (SAE standard). |
| 71 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note U0471 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 U0471
What does U0471 mean?
U0471 means "Invalid Data Received From Restraints System Sensor A". U0471 is logged when the airbag controller still receives telegrams from restraints sensor A but rejects their content, for example because of a parity error, a reading outside the sensor's range or values that contradict the other crash sensors. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with U0471?
U0471 does not normally turn on the check engine light by itself. Watch for the symptoms above and have it checked soon.
Will U0471 fail an emissions test?
U0471 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 U0471 to fix?
Difficulty: hard. A typical repair takes 0.5 to 1.5 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will U0471 clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.