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DTC codes / U04xx · Invalid data received from a module / U0428

U0428Invalid Data Received From Steering Angle Sensor Module

U0428 is a communication fault where the module that needs steering angle data, typically the antilock brake or stability control module, receives a message from the steering angle sensor module that it considers invalid or out of range. The computer did not lose contact with the sensor entirely; it received data that failed its internal plausibility and checksum tests, so it flags the signal as untrustworthy and may disable stability control.

SystemNetwork
Code typeGeneric (all makes)
SeverityMedium
Fix difficultyIntermediate
AreaInvalid data received from a module

Symptoms you may notice

  • Traction control and stability control warning lights illuminated on the dashboard
  • Antilock brake system (ABS) warning light on, often with a chime
  • Steering feel unchanged in most cases, with the car driving normally
  • Stability control or traction control system deactivated, shown as a message on the driver information display
  • Often no symptoms besides the warning light, especially on vehicles where the fault is intermittent
  • On some vehicles, a brief warning message about steering assist or lane keeping unavailable

Common causes, most likely first

  1. Steering angle sensor module internal fault producing implausible or corrupted data
  2. Damaged or chafed wiring between the steering angle sensor and the module that consumes its data
  3. Corroded or loose connector pins at the steering angle sensor or the receiving module
  4. Low or unstable battery voltage causing the sensor module to broadcast invalid frames
  5. Steering angle sensor calibration lost after battery replacement, alignment, or steering column repair
  6. Controller area network (CAN) bus communication errors that corrupt the sensor message in transit
  7. Failing clock spring assembly that intermittently interrupts the sensor signal

How to diagnose and fix it

  1. Scan all modules for stored and pending codes, and record the exact U0428 status and any companion codes before clearing anything
  2. Check battery voltage and charging system output, then clear the code and test-drive to see whether it returns immediately or only under specific conditions
  3. Inspect the steering angle sensor connector and the receiving module connector for corrosion, pushed pins, or loose terminals
  4. Perform a wiggle test on the wiring harness while watching live steering angle data on the scan tool to catch intermittent faults
  5. Verify live steering angle data is plausible and changes smoothly through the full lock-to-lock range, then perform the manufacturer's steering angle sensor calibration procedure
  6. If data is erratic or absent, test the sensor circuit for power, ground, and signal integrity before condemning the sensor
  7. Replace the steering angle sensor or clock spring only after wiring and calibration have been ruled out, then recalibrate and clear codes

Why the sensor is often not the culprit

  • A U0428 is frequently set by a weak battery or poor ground rather than a failed sensor, because low voltage makes the sensor module transmit frames that fail the receiving module's validity checks.
  • Many technicians replace the steering angle sensor only to find the real fault is a chafed harness near the column or a corroded connector pin that intermittently drops the signal.
  • The code can appear after a wheel alignment or steering column repair when the sensor's center position is no longer learned, so a calibration may clear it without any parts.
  • A failing clock spring can interrupt the steering angle signal only at certain steering wheel positions, which is why the code may be intermittent and hard to reproduce in the shop.
  • U0428 does not always mean the sensor is dead; it means the receiving module rejected the data, so the fault can live in the receiving module, the network, or the power supply.

Can I keep driving with U0428?

The car usually remains safe to drive because steering is mechanical, but stability control and traction control may be disabled, so avoid aggressive cornering, slippery surfaces, and towing until the fault is repaired. If the warning light is accompanied by ABS loss or unusual steering behavior, have the vehicle inspected promptly.

Tools that help

Tools we recommend are in the Auto Veteran shop on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

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

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