U0124 — Lost Communication With Lateral Acceleration Sensor Module
vehicle network
Is it safe to drive?
Drive with caution Depends on what is affected. A single dead convenience module is fine to drive with; loss of communication with engine, braking or steering modules is not. If multiple critical systems drop out, do not drive.
How to diagnose with an OBD scanner
- Read the code and freeze frame Connect an OBD2 scanner, confirm U0124 is stored, and save the freeze frame data — it shows engine conditions when the fault was detected.
- Check for companion codes and TSBs Related codes often reveal the real root cause. Also check manufacturer technical service bulletins (TSB) for your make and model — many U0xxx issues have factory fixes or software updates. Search by VIN on the manufacturer site or nhtsa.gov.
- Inspect wiring and connectors Visually inspect the wiring harness and connectors related to the vehicle network (CAN bus) communication for damage, corrosion, chafing or poor contact.
- Subsystem check Measure resistance between CAN-High and CAN-Low at the OBD port with power off — about 60 Ω is healthy.
- Subsystem check Scan all modules: the one that does not respond is either the culprit or downstream of the break.
- Verify the repair Clear the code, complete a full drive cycle including the conditions from the freeze frame, and confirm U0124 does not return.
Approximate repair cost
Repair cost depends on which component actually failed. Typical scenarios for U0124 (parts and labor, USD, independent shop rates): Repair CAN wiring or connectors: $100–$400; Remove interfering aftermarket device: $0–$150; Replace the faulty control module: $300–$1,500. Overall, fixing U0124 usually costs between $0 and $1,500. An accurate diagnosis before buying parts saves money — the most expensive scenario is rarely the first one to check.
Common questions
What is the most common cause of U0124?
The most common causes are: poor grounds or low battery voltage, water ingress in harness junctions, corroded connectors, especially in wet areas.
What are the symptoms of U0124?
Drivers most often notice: random, hard-to-reproduce electrical glitches, no-start or intermittent starting in some cases, modules intermittently not communicating with the scanner, intermittent loss of functions (gauges, windows, steering assist).
Will U0124 clear itself?
Sometimes U0124 clears after a few drive cycles if the fault was intermittent — for example a loose connector or a tank of bad fuel. The underlying cause usually remains, so the code tends to return. Clear it once; if it comes back, diagnose rather than erase it repeatedly.
Is it safe to drive with U0124?
Depends on what is affected. A single dead convenience module is fine to drive with; loss of communication with engine, braking or steering modules is not. If multiple critical systems drop out, do not drive.
How much does it cost to fix U0124?
Repair CAN wiring or connectors — $100–$400; Remove interfering aftermarket device — $0–$150; Replace the faulty control module — $300–$1,500. Exact cost depends on the root cause, your vehicle and local labor rates — a proper diagnosis is the cheapest first step.
What does U0124 mean?
U0124 (Lost Communication With Lateral Acceleration Sensor Module) is stored when self-diagnostics detect abnormal readings or behaviour of the vehicle network (CAN bus) communication. It belongs to the vehicle network category.
The module monitors this system continuously while driving. When readings fall outside the expected range for a defined number of drive cycles, it stores U0124 and switches on the warning light. Freeze frame data saved with the code shows the exact conditions — rpm, load, temperature, speed — at the moment the fault was detected, which is the best starting point for diagnosis.
Common symptoms of U0124
- random, hard-to-reproduce electrical glitches
- no-start or intermittent starting in some cases
- modules intermittently not communicating with the scanner
- intermittent loss of functions (gauges, windows, steering assist)
- multiple warning lights on at once
What causes U0124?
- aftermarket equipment interfering with the bus
- water ingress in harness junctions
- poor grounds or low battery voltage
- corroded connectors, especially in wet areas
How to diagnose U0124
- Connect an OBD2 scanner, confirm U0124 is stored, and save the freeze frame data — it shows engine conditions when the fault was detected.
- Related codes often reveal the real root cause. Also check manufacturer technical service bulletins (TSB) for your make and model — many U0xxx issues have factory fixes or software updates. Search by VIN on the manufacturer site or nhtsa.gov.
- Visually inspect the wiring harness and connectors related to the vehicle network (CAN bus) communication for damage, corrosion, chafing or poor contact.
- Measure resistance between CAN-High and CAN-Low at the OBD port with power off — about 60 Ω is healthy.
- Scan all modules: the one that does not respond is either the culprit or downstream of the break.
- Clear the code, complete a full drive cycle including the conditions from the freeze frame, and confirm U0124 does not return.
How to fix U0124
Start with the cheapest and most common causes before replacing expensive parts:
- Repair CAN wiring or connectors — $100–$400
- Remove interfering aftermarket device — $0–$150
- Replace the faulty control module — $300–$1,500
How much does it cost to fix U0124?
Repair cost depends on which component actually failed. Typical scenarios for U0124 (parts and labor, USD, independent shop rates):
- Repair CAN wiring or connectors: $100–$400
- Remove interfering aftermarket device: $0–$150
- Replace the faulty control module: $300–$1,500
Overall, fixing U0124 usually costs between $0 and $1,500. An accurate diagnosis before buying parts saves money — the most expensive scenario is rarely the first one to check.
Can you drive with U0124?
Depends on what is affected. A single dead convenience module is fine to drive with; loss of communication with engine, braking or steering modules is not. If multiple critical systems drop out, do not drive.