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Severity: Moderate Code type: Generic (all makes)

U0415 Code: Invalid Data Received From ABS Control Module

The ABS module is online, but the wheel-speed data it shares looks wrong to the other modules.

Safety first · Consult a professional

  • Braking system affected: ABS may be disabled. Drive carefully and have it checked promptly.

At a glance

Severity: 3/5 – Moderate3/5

Severity: Moderate

Meaning
Invalid Data Received From ABS Control Module
System
Module Communication · Network
Safe to drive?
With caution
Typical repair cost
$100–$2,200
DIY difficulty
Moderate

U0415 is logged by a listening module such as the PCM, transmission module, instrument cluster, steering module or parking-aid module when the ABS module keeps talking but its messages don't make sense. The data in question is almost always wheel speed and vehicle speed: one wheel reporting a speed the others don't, a signal marked invalid by the ABS module itself, or a speed that disagrees with what the PCM calculates from the transmission output. In most cases the root cause is a wheel speed sensor or tone ring fault already stored inside the ABS module, a tire size mismatch, or an ABS module that was replaced or reflashed without the correct setup. That's why the ABS module's own codes are the first thing to read, not the module that stored U0415.

Can I keep driving? Normal braking works, but ABS, traction and stability control may be switched off or acting on bad data, so avoid hard braking and slippery roads. Have it diagnosed soon, especially if the speedometer or shifting is also acting up.

How to read U0415

How to read U0415U10243154
  1. U Network
  2. 0 Generic (SAE)
  3. 4 Module Communication
  4. 15 Specific fault

Symptoms

  • ABS and traction control warning lights on, sometimes only intermittently
  • Speedometer needle jumps or drops to zero for a moment
  • Cruise control cancels itself or won't set
  • Automatic transmission shifts at odd points because the vehicle speed is unreliable
  • Parking sensors, lane assist or auto start-stop temporarily unavailable
  • ABS pump clicks or pulses at low speed on dry pavement

Possible causes

Ranked by how often each cause is behind this code (editorial estimate).

  1. Wheel speed sensor or damaged/rusted tone ring giving an erratic signal (code stored in the ABS module) 34%
  2. Mismatched tire sizes, a compact spare in use or very uneven tire pressure 16%
  3. ABS module replaced, used or reflashed without the correct configuration (tire size, drivetrain, options) 15%
  4. Low or unstable system voltage from a weak battery or poor ground at the ABS module 14%
  5. Outdated ABS or PCM software that misreads the other module's messages 11%
  6. Internal ABS module fault producing wrong values 10%

Diagnosis step by step

Diagnostic flow: U04151Read the ABS module first2Compare all four wheel speeds live3Check tires and tire size4Test battery and ABS grounds5Verify module setup and software6Clear, road test and recheck

  1. Read the ABS module first

    Pull codes from every module, and start with the ABS module itself. A stored wheel speed sensor code such as C0035 or C0040 explains U0415 on its own, so fix that fault before looking at the network.

    Tools: OBD-II scanner

  2. Compare all four wheel speeds live

    Graph the four wheel speeds on a scan tool while driving straight at a steady 20 to 30 mph. They should track within about 1 mph of each other; a wheel that drops out, spikes or reads consistently lower points to its sensor, tone ring or wheel bearing.

    Tools: OBD-II scanner

  3. Check tires and tire size

    Confirm all four tires are the same size and similar tread depth, the compact spare isn't mounted, and pressures match the door placard. On AWD and 4x4 vehicles a mismatched tire alone can make the ABS data look implausible.

    Tools: Flashlight

  4. Test battery and ABS grounds

    Check for about 12.6 V at rest and 13.5 to 14.7 V running, then do a voltage-drop test on the ABS module ground while the pump runs during a self-test. More than about 0.2 V drop on the ground means a corroded ground point.

    Tools: Multimeter

  5. Verify module setup and software

    If the ABS module was recently replaced or the tire size was changed, check its configuration against the vehicle's build data. Ask a dealer or well-equipped shop whether newer software exists for the ABS module or the module reporting U0415.

    Tools: OBD-II scanner

  6. Clear, road test and recheck

    Clear all codes and drive through several stops and turns. If U0415 returns with no ABS-side codes, good power and correct setup, the ABS module itself is the suspect.

    Tools: OBD-II scanner

Where the parts are

Charging system and control modules – U04151234567
Charging system and control modules
  1. 1Battery
  2. 2Alternator
  3. 3Engine computer (ECM)
  4. 4CAN bus
  5. 5Transmission
  6. 6Wheel speed sensor
  7. 7High-voltage battery

Repair options & costs

RepairDIY?Estimated cost
Replace a wheel speed sensor Yes $120–$350
Replace tone ring or hub bearing assembly No $250–$700
Configure ABS module / correct tire size setting No $100–$250
ABS or PCM software update at a dealer No $100–$300
Replace ABS control module (incl. programming and bleed) No $800–$2,200

Rough US estimates for parts and labor; shop rates vary by region. Not a quote.

Notes by brand

Field data

Ford 7
Ram 6 1500
Chevrolet 4 Colorado, Malibu, Malibu Eco
Dodge 2 Charger, Dart
Jeep 2 Cherokee
Mazda 2 Mazda3

Source: NHTSA Complaints API (US government open data), analyzed by DTC mention.

Emissions / smog test impact

Depends

The emissions part of a US smog check only fails if U0415 turns on the check engine light, which is uncommon. States with a safety inspection may reject a car with the ABS warning lamp lit.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between U0415 and U0121?

U0121 means the ABS module went silent on the network. U0415 means it is still talking, but what it says is implausible, which usually points to a sensor or configuration problem rather than a wiring break.

Can a bad wheel speed sensor really cause a network code?

Yes. The ABS module shares each wheel speed with other modules; when one sensor goes erratic, the transmission or engine module sees nonsense data and logs U0415 alongside the ABS module's own sensor code.

I just put on new tires and got U0415. Why?

If the new tires are a different size from the originals, or only one axle was changed on an AWD vehicle, the wheel speeds no longer agree with the stored tire size. Fit matching tires or have the tire size updated in the vehicle configuration.

Do I need a new ABS module?

Rarely as a first step. Most U0415 cases are fixed with a sensor, tire correction, software update or proper configuration; a module is only replaced after all of those check out.

Sources