U0415: Invalid Data Received From ABS Control Module
Key takeaways
- U0415 means another module, often power steering, all-wheel drive or a driver-assist camera, is receiving messages from the ABS computer but the data is flagged as invalid.
- Drive short trips only: the brakes still stop the car, but ABS, stability control and driver-assist features may be switched off.
- Low brake fluid, a weak battery at start-up and a wet ABS connector or wheel speed sensor come before any module replacement.
- Software is a big part of this code: GM, Ford and Lincoln bulletins name U0415, and several Ford ones say a lone U0415 with no symptoms can be ignored.
- 37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA mention U0415, led by the Ram 1500 with 8.
What U0415 means
Another computer in your car is hearing the ABS module fine, but doesn’t trust what it’s saying. Scanners call it “Invalid Data Received From Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Control Module.” The ABS module (called the EBCM on GM vehicles) sends wheel speeds, vehicle speed, brake status and stability-control data over the CAN bus to the power steering, engine, all-wheel drive, cameras and driver-assist systems. When a receiving module gets values that are out of range, fail their checks, or arrive marked “invalid” by the ABS module itself, it stores U0415.
That last case is the common one. When the ABS module has its own fault, such as a bad wheel speed sensor, it flags the affected data as invalid, and every module that uses it logs U0415. The fix is then the ABS code, not the network.
Is it safe to drive?
Short trips only. The ABS and stability control lights may be on, and so may messages about traction control, steering assist, adaptive cruise or pre-collision assist. Your brakes still stop the car, but without ABS the wheels can lock in a hard stop, especially on wet roads or snow. Leave extra distance and stay off the highway until it’s checked.
The answer becomes no if the red brake warning light is on, the pedal feels soft or sinks, or steering assist drops out. Have it towed. If U0415 is only stored in history, no lights are on and the car drives normally, it may be nothing; several bulletins say exactly that.
Causes, ranked
| Cause | How you confirm it | Typical cost (US independent shop, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| An ABS fault the module already knows about (wheel speed sensor, sensor wiring) | Read the ABS module’s own codes, such as C0035 or C0040; U0415 clears once that’s fixed | $150–$450 per wheel speed sensor; $100–$180 to diagnose |
| Low brake fluid | Master cylinder reservoir below the mark; low brake fluid light or a trailer-brake message | $0–$20 for fluid; more if pads or a leak caused it |
| Low voltage at start-up | Battery load test; code set after a weak start, a jump or a battery change | $0 if it only needed a charge; $150–$350 for a battery |
| Software fault in the ABS or receiving module | A bulletin covers your car, or a module was recently replaced or programmed | $100–$200 |
| Water or corrosion in the ABS connector or network wiring | Inspect the ABS module connector and harness; loose terminals, green crust | $100–$250 |
| Failed ABS module | Power, ground, software and wiring all good, data still invalid | $500–$1,500 programmed |
What to check first
- Scan every module, not just the engine. A basic code reader often won’t show U0415 or the ABS codes behind it; see how to read check engine light codes.
- Fix any ABS codes first. A wheel speed sensor or its wiring is a common root cause.
- Check the brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir, and look for a reason if it’s low.
- Test the battery. Low voltage during a start can leave a one-time U0415. Clear it once and drive; if it doesn’t return, stop there.
- Ask about software and bulletins before any part. The bulletins lean heavily toward software and false codes: Ford and Lincoln cover U0415 stored in the power steering, all-wheel drive and camera modules on 2020–2024 Escape, Corsair, Bronco Sport, Explorer, Aviator, Edge and Super Duty, several saying a lone code with no symptoms can be ignored. GM covers it on trucks and SUVs such as the Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe and Escalade, and on cars such as the Malibu and Impala, with fixes ranging from brake fluid, wet wheel sensors (Buick Envision) and power steering software to connector and ground checks.
- Replace the ABS module last, after a shop rules out the steps above.
37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA mention U0415, most filed under service brakes. The Ram 1500 leads with 8 and the Ford Fusion follows with 3. These are owner reports, not confirmed defects.
What it costs
The cheap outcome is topped-up brake fluid, a charged battery or a cleared code, $0–$20. The common outcome is a wheel speed sensor at $150–$450 or a software update at $100–$200, plus a $100–$180 diagnosis. The expensive outcome is an ABS module at $500–$1,500 programmed, and it’s rarely the answer. If you want help sorting out which of your codes to fix first, ask our AI mechanic.
Related codes
U0415 often comes with an ABS code that explains it, such as C0035 or C0040 for wheel speed sensors. U0121 means the ABS messages stopped entirely. U0420 is the same kind of fault for data from the power steering module, and U0401 for data from the engine computer.
What owners report to NHTSA
37 complaints filed with NHTSA mention U0415, 35 of them since 2015, across 22 different models. The component owners most often filed it under: service brakes.
Most-reported models
| Vehicle | Complaints | Model years reported |
|---|---|---|
| RAM 1500 | 8 | 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021 |
| FORD FUSION | 3 | 2011, 2012 |
Manufacturer service bulletins that name U0415
119 technical service bulletins and manufacturer communications filed with NHTSA mention U0415, from 12 makes. A bulletin means the manufacturer has documented a known cause or a fix procedure for that model. Examples:
- LINCOLN NAUTILUS (2024), bulletin 10247158: Some 2024 Nautilus vehicles may set diagnostic trouble code (DTC) U0415:29 in the power steering control module (PSCM) when a diagnostic self-test is performed. This may be due to PSCM DTC sensitivity during vehicle key …
- FORD EDGE (2022, 2023, 2024), bulletin 11005751: Some 2022-2024 Ford Edge ST vehicles equipped with all wheel drive (AWD), a 2.7L engine, and ACC may exhibit cruise control deactivating with an illuminated anti-lock brake system (ABS) warning light flashing and various…
- FORD F-450 SD (2023), bulletin 10233836: Some 2023 F-Super Duty vehicles may set diagnostic trouble code (DTC) U0415 in the all-wheel drive (AWD) module during a diagnostic self-test. This DTC sets when the AWD module does not detect a valid signal from the ant…
- FORD BRONCO SPORT (2021, 2022, 2020), bulletin 10211905: Some 2020-2022 Escape/Corsair, 2021-2022 Bronco Sport, 2022 Maverick vehicles may exhibit any of the following driver assistance warning messages displayed in the instrument panel cluster (IPC): Pre-collision Assist Not …
- LINCOLN CORSAIR (2020, 2021, 2022), bulletin 10211905: Some 2020-2022 Escape/Corsair, 2021-2022 Bronco Sport, 2022 Maverick vehicles may exhibit any of the following driver assistance warning messages displayed in the instrument panel cluster (IPC): Pre-collision Assist Not …
- FORD BRONCO (2021, 2022), bulletin 10226768: Some 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles equipped with a 2.7/3.0L engine may experience a loss of the go over any terrain (GOAT) mode and/or differential locking function when two diagonal wheels lose traction simultaneously while…
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database and manufacturer communications file, snapshots September 2026. A complaint or bulletin that mentions a code is a report about that vehicle, not a statement that the code has one cause.
Frequently asked questions
Is U0415 the same as U0121?
No. U0121 means messages from the ABS module stopped arriving. U0415 means they arrive but the content is wrong or flagged invalid. U0415 usually points at a problem the ABS module already knows about, such as a wheel speed sensor, or at software, rather than at broken network wiring.
Can I drive with U0415?
Short trips, carefully. The brakes themselves still work, but ABS and stability control may be off, so the wheels can lock in a hard stop. If the brake pedal feels soft, the red brake light is on, or steering assist drops out, stop driving and have it checked.
Can low brake fluid cause U0415?
On some GM trucks, yes. A GM bulletin covers a Service Trailer Brake message with U0415 where the fix is filling the master cylinder to the maximum mark. Low fluid can also mean worn pads or a leak, so find out why it's low.
Do I need a new ABS module for U0415?
Usually not. Fix any ABS codes first, then check the battery, connectors and software. Several bulletins fix U0415 with a software update or say a lone stored U0415 needs no repair. A new ABS module is the last step.