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OBD-II trouble code

U0162: Lost Communication With Navigation Display Module

Another module on the network has stopped receiving messages from the navigation display module — the screen unit that shows maps and route guidance. Usually a power, ground, wiring, or module fault.

Quick facts

System
Network
Category
Network Communication
Severity
Low severity
Drivable
Usually safe to drive short-term
Repair cost range
$100$1,200
DIY difficulty
Advanced DIY

What does U0162 mean?

U0162 is a module-specific network code that sets when a control module stops hearing from the navigation display module on the communication bus. The navigation display is the screen-side unit that renders the map, route guidance, and related menus and that exchanges position, destination, and status data with other modules. On many vehicles it is part of the central infotainment head unit or a dedicated display in the dash; on others it is a separate module that drives the screen. When its messages disappear from the bus, the listening module logs U0162.

Unlike a generic bus fault, U0162 names the missing component: the network reports that the navigation display module specifically has gone silent. That can happen because the module lost power or ground, because the wiring to it is damaged, or because the module itself has failed. It can also be a downstream symptom of a wider bus problem, in which case other U-codes are usually stored at the same time.

In practice U0162 typically shows up as a dark, frozen, or rebooting navigation screen, missing map or guidance, or features that depend on the display dropping out. The vehicle drives normally and no safety system is affected, so this is generally a low-urgency code. It's still worth repairing so the navigation and the screen it shares with other functions work again, and because the same power or wiring fault can affect other infotainment features.

Common causes

  • Blown fuse or lost power feed to the navigation display module
  • Poor or corroded ground at the module
  • Damaged, chafed, or corroded CAN wiring between the module and the bus
  • Corroded or backed-out terminals at the module connector
  • Software fault, corrupted firmware, or a module that needs a reset/update
  • Internally failed navigation display or host infotainment module
  • A wider CAN bus fault dragging this module off the network

Symptoms

  • Navigation screen dark, frozen, or continuously rebooting
  • Map and route guidance missing or unresponsive
  • Other infotainment features that share the display may be affected
  • Possible warning message about a navigation or display fault
  • Additional lost-communication U-codes if a wider bus fault is present

Diagnostic steps

  1. 1.Scan all modules and record every stored code; several U-codes suggest a bus-wide fault rather than just the navigation display.
  2. 2.Confirm power and ground at the navigation display module with the key on — check the feed fuse and verify a clean, tight ground.
  3. 3.Inspect the module connector and harness for corrosion, water intrusion, backed-out terminals, and chafing.
  4. 4.Check the CAN wiring from the module to the bus for continuity and for shorts to power or ground.
  5. 5.Check for available software/firmware updates or a known reset procedure for the infotainment system.
  6. 6.Clear the codes and recheck whether U0162 returns and whether the module reappears on the scan tool; if power, ground, wiring, and software are good, suspect an internally failed module.

Repair cost

$100$1,200

Diagnosis usually runs $100-$200. A power, ground, or wiring repair is often $120-$400. A software update or reset may resolve it cheaply. If the navigation display or host infotainment module is internally failed, replacement and programming can run $500-$1,200+ depending on the vehicle and screen.

Estimate your repair

Run the numbers for your vehicle

Open the Repair Cost Estimator with module communication / can bus diagnosis preselected. Adjust labor rate and vehicle category to fit your situation.

DIY vs shop

This is an advanced DIY job. It typically requires specialty tools, scan-tool access, lifting equipment, or careful sequencing to avoid causing new failures. Plan for extended downtime and have a backup vehicle. Most owners are better served by a shop that has done this repair before.

Related codes

Frequently asked questions

Is U0162 safe to ignore?

It's low-urgency for drivability — the engine, brakes, and steering are unaffected and the car drives normally. You mainly lose navigation and whatever else shares that display. It's not an emergency, but it's worth fixing so the screen and its features work again.

Could U0162 just be a software glitch?

Sometimes, yes. Infotainment and navigation modules occasionally lock up or lose communication because of corrupted software, and a reset or a manufacturer software update can clear the code without any hardware repair. That is usually worth trying before condemning the module, as long as power, ground, and wiring check out.

Why is my navigation screen black with this code?

If the display module has dropped off the bus or lost power, the screen it drives can go dark, freeze, or keep rebooting. Other features routed through that same screen — audio menus, camera views, settings — can be affected too, because they all depend on the display module being awake and communicating.

Is U0162 always a failed module?

No. A lost power feed, a bad ground, corroded connectors, damaged CAN wiring, or a software fault are all more common and cheaper to address. The display or infotainment module should only be replaced after power, ground, wiring, and software have been checked and ruled out, since those units are expensive.

AutoLogicTools provides general automotive planning information. Trouble code interpretations, repair cost ranges, and DIY guidance vary by vehicle, model year, location, parts quality, and shop labor rate. Always verify a diagnosis with a scan tool and a qualified automotive professional before approving repairs.