U0139 — Lost Communication With Suspension Control Module "B"

U0139 — Lost Communication With Suspension Control Module "B". A fault in the vehicle network (CAN bus) communication. Short, gentle driving to a shop is usually possible. Typical causes: poor grounds or low battery voltage, corroded connectors, especially in wet areas, damaged CAN bus wiring or short to power/ground.

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 U0139 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 U0139 does not return.

Approximate repair cost

Repair cost depends on which component actually failed. Typical scenarios for U0139 (parts and labor, USD, independent shop rates): Repair CAN wiring or connectors: $100–$400; Replace the faulty control module: $300–$1,500; Remove interfering aftermarket device: $0–$150. Overall, fixing U0139 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 U0139?

The most common causes are: poor grounds or low battery voltage, corroded connectors, especially in wet areas, damaged CAN bus wiring or short to power/ground.

Is it safe to drive with U0139?

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 do I diagnose U0139 myself?

Start with a scan: confirm U0139, save the freeze frame and note any companion codes. Then inspect the wiring and connectors related to the vehicle network (CAN bus) communication, and verify the suspect component against live data before buying parts.

Will U0139 clear itself?

Sometimes U0139 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.

What are the symptoms of U0139?

Drivers most often notice: multiple warning lights on at once, modules intermittently not communicating with the scanner, no-start or intermittent starting in some cases, random, hard-to-reproduce electrical glitches.

What does U0139 mean?

The engine control module sets U0139 when it detects a fault in the vehicle network (CAN bus) communication. In practical terms: lost communication with suspension control module "B". The code belongs to the vehicle network group of OBD2 codes.

This code does not appear from a single bad reading: the module must see the fault condition repeat under defined operating conditions before it turns on the warning light. The freeze frame captured with U0139 — engine load, rpm, temperature, speed — tells you exactly when the problem occurs, so reproduce those conditions when testing.

Common symptoms of U0139

multiple warning lights on at once
modules intermittently not communicating with the scanner
no-start or intermittent starting in some cases
random, hard-to-reproduce electrical glitches
intermittent loss of functions (gauges, windows, steering assist)

What causes U0139?

a faulty module pulling the bus down
water ingress in harness junctions
damaged CAN bus wiring or short to power/ground
corroded connectors, especially in wet areas

How to diagnose U0139

Connect an OBD2 scanner, confirm U0139 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 U0139 does not return.

How to fix U0139

Start with the cheapest and most common causes before replacing expensive parts:

Repair CAN wiring or connectors — $100–$400
Replace the faulty control module — $300–$1,500
Remove interfering aftermarket device — $0–$150

How much does it cost to fix U0139?

Repair cost depends on which component actually failed. Typical scenarios for U0139 (parts and labor, USD, independent shop rates):

Repair CAN wiring or connectors: $100–$400
Replace the faulty control module: $300–$1,500
Remove interfering aftermarket device: $0–$150

Overall, fixing U0139 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.