A weak or failing battery, or poor battery terminal connections, causing low voltage to the seat control module; Corroded, loose, or damaged wiring and connectors at the seat control module or under the seat where movement flexes the harness; Water intrusion into the seat control module or its connectors from a leak or spilled liquid; A failing seat control module that is sending corrupted or out-of-range data; A software or calibration issue in the seat control module or the module that receives its data; A fault in another module on the same network that corrupts communication and makes the seat data appear invalid

DTC codes / U05xx · Network communication / U054E

U054EInvalid Data Received From Seat Control Module J

Q: What does code U054E mean?

Invalid Data Received From Seat Control Module J. This code means the module that coordinates your vehicle's network received data from the seat control module (the computer that moves the power seat) that it judged invalid or out of range. The fault is a communication data problem, not necessarily a failed seat motor, so the seat may still work normally while the warning light is on.

This code means the module that coordinates your vehicle's network received data from the seat control module (the computer that moves the power seat) that it judged invalid or out of range. The fault is a communication data problem, not necessarily a failed seat motor, so the seat may still work normally while the warning light is on.

SystemNetwork

Code typeGeneric (all makes)

SeverityLow

Fix difficultyIntermediate

AreaNetwork communication

Symptoms you may notice

Often no symptoms besides the warning light, with the power seat still moving normally in all directions
The power seat may stop responding or move in only some directions
Seat memory or easy-entry features may stop working or return to the wrong position
Other modules on the same network may log communication codes or behave erratically
Intermittent operation of the seat when the vehicle is cold, wet, or going over bumps

Common causes, most likely first

A weak or failing battery, or poor battery terminal connections, causing low voltage to the seat control module
Corroded, loose, or damaged wiring and connectors at the seat control module or under the seat where movement flexes the harness
Water intrusion into the seat control module or its connectors from a leak or spilled liquid
A failing seat control module that is sending corrupted or out-of-range data
A software or calibration issue in the seat control module or the module that receives its data
A fault in another module on the same network that corrupts communication and makes the seat data appear invalid

How to diagnose and fix it

Check the battery state of charge and clean and tighten the battery terminals before anything else
Inspect the seat control module connectors and the harness under the seat for corrosion, chafing, and loose pins
Clear the code and test-drive the vehicle, operating the seat through its full range, to see whether the code returns
Check for water intrusion around the seat control module and dry or replace damaged connectors
Verify power and ground at the seat control module with a multimeter and check the network wiring for continuity
If wiring and power are good, reflash or recalibrate the seat control module with factory software
Replace the seat control module only after ruling out power, ground, wiring, and software causes

Why the seat still works with this code

A U054E code often sets because the receiving module saw a single out-of-range data frame, so the seat can work perfectly and the code may never return after clearing.
Low battery voltage is a very common trigger on vehicles with power seats, because the seat control module can drop offline during engine cranking and send invalid data on the next wake-up.
Technicians who replace the seat control module first frequently find the code returns, because the real fault was a corroded ground or a chafed wire under the seat.
Spilled drinks and sunroof or window leaks often send water into the seat control module connectors, which corrupts the data without blowing any fuse.
This code does not mean the seat motor or switch is bad, and it does not always mean the seat control module itself has failed.

Can I keep driving with U054E?

The vehicle is safe to drive because the fault affects seat convenience features, not steering, braking, or airbags. Avoid adjusting the seat repeatedly until the cause is found, and have the battery and under-seat wiring checked soon if the seat stops working or the warning light returns.

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.