U0591 — Invalid Data Received From Active Safety Control Module 154

What is the most common cause of U0591?

The most common causes are: aftermarket equipment interfering with the bus, damaged CAN bus wiring or short to power/ground, water ingress in harness junctions.

How much does it cost to fix U0591?

Remove interfering aftermarket device — $0–$150; Replace the faulty control module — $300–$1,500; Repair CAN wiring or connectors — $100–$400. Exact cost depends on the root cause, your vehicle and local labor rates — a proper diagnosis is the cheapest first step.

Will U0591 clear itself?

Sometimes U0591 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 U0591?

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.

What does OBD2 code U0591 mean?

U0591 — U0591 - Invalid Data Received From Active Safety Control Module 154. A fault in the vehicle network (CAN bus) communication. Short, gentle driving to a shop is usually possible. Typical causes: aftermarket equipment interfering with the bus, damaged CAN bus wiring or short to power/ground, water ingress in harness junctions.

What does U0591 mean?

When U0591 appears on a scan, it means the control module has flagged a problem in the vehicle network (CAN bus) communication: U0591 - invalid data received from active safety control module 154. The fault sits in the vehicle group of the OBD2 standard.

The module monitors this system continuously while driving. When readings fall outside the expected range for a defined number of drive cycles, it stores U0591 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.

What causes U0591?

• damaged CAN bus wiring or short to power/ground
• corroded connectors, especially in wet areas
• poor grounds or low battery voltage
• a faulty module pulling the bus down
• water ingress in harness junctions
• aftermarket equipment interfering with the bus

Common symptoms of U0591

• 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)

How to diagnose U0591

1. Connect an OBD2 scanner, confirm U0591 is stored, and save the freeze frame data — it shows engine conditions when the fault was detected.
2. 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.
3. Visually inspect the wiring harness and connectors related to the vehicle network (CAN bus) communication for damage, corrosion, chafing or poor contact.
4. Measure resistance between CAN-High and CAN-Low at the OBD port with power off — about 60 Ω is healthy.
5. Scan all modules: the one that does not respond is either the culprit or downstream of the break.
6. Clear the code, complete a full drive cycle including the conditions from the freeze frame, and confirm U0591 does not return.

How to fix U0591

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

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

How much does it cost to fix U0591?

Repair cost depends on which component actually failed. Typical scenarios for U0591 (parts and labor, USD, independent shop rates):

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

Overall, fixing U0591 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 U0591?

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.

Related OBD2 codes

• U0500: U0500 - Invalid Data Received From Active Safety Control Module 63
• U0501: Invalid Data Received From "Door Control Module B"
• U0502: Invalid Data Received From "Door Control Module C"
• U0503: Invalid Data Received From "Door Control Module D"
• U0504: Invalid Data Received From "Door Control Module E"
• U0505: Invalid Data Received From "Door Control Module F"