U0126
Lost Communication with Steering Angle Sensor Module
The Steering Angle Sensor Module has stopped transmitting on the vehicle data bus, so other control units no longer receive its messages. Stability control loses the steering-angle reference and usually disables ESC. Typical causes are loss of power or ground at the module, an open or shorted CAN/LIN bus wire, a connector fault, or an internal module failure.
- Check engine light: Yes
- Emissions related: No
- Repair difficulty: medium
Symptoms
- Multiple warning lights may illuminate
- Affected modules may go into limp mode or shut down
- Specific functions inoperative depending on module
- Diagnostic tools may show communication faults
Common causes
Ordered by how often each turns out to be the cause.
- Steering angle sensor unpoweredCommon
- Clockspring (in steering column) failedPossible
- Gateway module routing CAN messages incorrectlyLess likely
Parts involved
- Steering Angle Sensor
- CAN Bus Wiring
U0126 is a generic OBD-II code defined by SAE J2012. Exact wording and diagnostic procedure vary by manufacturer and model. Code definitions are drawn from the public-domain OBDex dataset; the workshop notes are our own.