Damaged, corroded or loose wiring and connectors in the steering effort control module circuit; Blown fuse or poor power or ground connection feeding the steering effort control module; Failed steering effort control module itself, often after water intrusion or heat damage; CAN bus (Controller Area Network) communication fault, including a shorted or open data line shared with other modules; Low battery voltage or a weak charging system causing modules to drop offline intermittently; Aftermarket accessories or poor previous repairs tapping into the network wiring

DTC codes / U01xx · Lost communication with a control module / U0130

U0130Lost Communication With Steering Effort Control Module

Q: What does code U0130 mean?

Lost Communication With Steering Effort Control Module. U0130 means the vehicle's main computers have lost contact with the steering effort control module, the unit that varies steering assist based on speed and driving conditions. The code is set when a controller that expects regular status messages from that module stops receiving them within the allowed time window, usually because of a wiring fault, a power or ground problem, or a failed module.

U0130 means the vehicle's main computers have lost contact with the steering effort control module, the unit that varies steering assist based on speed and driving conditions. The code is set when a controller that expects regular status messages from that module stops receiving them within the allowed time window, usually because of a wiring fault, a power or ground problem, or a failed module.

SystemNetwork

Code typeGeneric (all makes)

SeverityMedium

Fix difficultyProfessional

AreaLost communication with a control module

Symptoms you may notice

Steering assist may default to a fixed heavy or light effort, making the wheel feel unusually stiff or vague
A steering warning light or stability control warning light illuminated on the dashboard
Other modules may log communication codes at the same time, pointing to a shared network problem
The steering may feel normal on some drives and change character intermittently as communication drops in and out
Often no symptoms besides the warning light, because the module can fail to report while the assist still works

Common causes, most likely first

Damaged, corroded or loose wiring and connectors in the steering effort control module circuit
Blown fuse or poor power or ground connection feeding the steering effort control module
Failed steering effort control module itself, often after water intrusion or heat damage
CAN bus (Controller Area Network) communication fault, including a shorted or open data line shared with other modules
Low battery voltage or a weak charging system causing modules to drop offline intermittently
Aftermarket accessories or poor previous repairs tapping into the network wiring

How to diagnose and fix it

Scan all modules for codes and record every communication code before clearing anything, since U0130 rarely travels alone
Check battery voltage and charging output, then inspect the steering effort control module fuse and ground points
Visually inspect the module connectors and harness for corrosion, chafing, water intrusion and loose pins
Perform a voltage drop and continuity test on the module's power and ground circuits under load
Test the CAN data lines for correct resistance and for shorts to power or ground with the battery disconnected
If wiring and power checks pass, substitute a known-good module or perform a bidirectional communication test to confirm the module is at fault
After repair, clear codes and verify communication returns and stays stable through a full drive cycle

Why U0130 is often a wiring fault

A steering effort control module that has lost power or ground will set U0130 even though the module itself is healthy, so power and ground checks come before replacement every time.
Water intrusion into connectors near the steering rack or underbody is a common hidden cause that looks like a failed module until the pins are inspected closely.
A weak battery or failing alternator can make modules drop off the network intermittently, setting U0130 alongside unrelated communication codes that clear after a charge.
U0130 does not always mean the steering assist is dead; many vehicles keep a default assist mode, so the car may drive almost normally while the code is stored.
Aftermarket alarms, radios or trailer wiring spliced into the CAN bus are a frequent misdiagnosis trap because the fault appears only after the accessory is installed.

Can I keep driving with U0130?

The vehicle is usually safe to drive to a shop because most systems default to a fixed steering assist, but avoid high-speed driving and heavy parking manoeuvres if the steering feels stiff or unpredictable. If the wheel becomes very hard to turn or other warning lights appear, stop driving and have it towed.

Tools that help

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Guidance is general and written for all OBD-II vehicles. Exact tests and values vary by model, so confirm the fault before replacing parts.