U0130
Lost Communication With Steering Effort Control Module
Network / communication
Generic OBD-II
Medium
What it means
U0130 sets when the network loses contact with the steering effort control module, which tunes power-steering assist (often speed-sensitive). Losing it can leave steering assist at a fixed level or reduced, making the wheel feel heavier — the car is still steerable, but effort and feel change, so treat it as a handling concern.
Medium
Can I keep driving? Drivable but be cautious — steering may feel heavier or lose speed-sensitive assist, most noticeable at low speed and parking; get it fixed promptly.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Power-steering or vehicle warning light on
- Steering feels heavier or loses speed-sensitive weighting
- Steering effort module missing from a scan
- Companion communication codes stored
Common causes
Most likely first
- Lost power or ground / blown fuse to the steering effort moduleLikely
- Damaged or corroded wiring or connectorCommon
- CAN bus fault to the moduleCommon
- Failed steering effort control moduleLess often
- Weak battery or charging voltageLess often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Scan every module to see if the fault is bus-wide or just this unit.
- Check battery voltage and the module's fuse, power, and ground.
- Inspect the module connector and wiring for damage or corrosion.
- Verify CAN bus continuity and resistance to the module.
- If supply and network are good, suspect the module.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with U0130?+
You can steer, but assist may be heavier or inconsistent, which matters most in tight, slow maneuvers. Have it repaired promptly.
Can I just clear U0130?+
It comes back while the module is unreachable. Fix the wiring, supply, or module, then clear and retest.
Related codes
Often seen with U0130
Read & clear U0130 yourself
Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.
✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX