OBD-II trouble code
U0405: Invalid Data Received From Cruise Control Module
A module is receiving messages from the cruise control module, but the data is implausible or out of range. Cruise control typically disables itself as a precaution. The car drives normally otherwise — this is a convenience-system fault, not a driveability emergency.
Quick facts
- System
- Network
- Category
- Network Communication
- Severity
- Low severity
- Drivable
- Usually safe to drive short-term
- Repair cost range
- $100 – $900
- DIY difficulty
- Shop recommended
What does U0405 mean?
On vehicles where cruise control is handled by a dedicated module — common with adaptive cruise systems that pair a radar or camera sensor with their own controller — that module continuously broadcasts status, set speed, and command data over the network. U0405 sets when a receiving module is still hearing from the cruise control module, but the content of its messages is invalid: values out of range, implausible, or in conflict with what other modules report. The connection is alive; the data can't be trusted.
The system's response is simple and safe: cruise control deactivates and refuses to engage until the data problem is resolved. Since cruise is a convenience feature layered on top of normal throttle and brake control, nothing about basic driving is affected — the car accelerates, brakes, and steers normally. That's why U0405 carries a low severity despite the word 'invalid' sounding alarming.
Causes follow the usual invalid-data pattern. On adaptive cruise vehicles, a misaligned or obstructed radar sensor is a leading trigger — after a front-end collision, a bumper replacement, or even a thick layer of ice or mud over the sensor, the module can report data other modules reject. Low system voltage, corrupted or mismatched module software, and bus wiring problems round out the list. On some vehicles U0405 appears alongside a lost-communication code (U0104) or a front distance sensor code (U0235), and those companions usually point at the real fault.
Common causes
- Misaligned adaptive cruise radar sensor after front-end collision or bumper work
- Radar or camera sensor obstructed by ice, snow, mud, or a license plate/accessory
- Low system voltage or a weak battery/charging system
- Outdated, corrupted, or mismatched cruise control module software
- Cruise control module replaced without proper programming or sensor calibration
- Bus wiring or connector damage corrupting messages
- Cruise control module internal fault
Symptoms
- Cruise control refusing to engage or deactivating on its own
- Cruise or adaptive cruise warning message on the driver display
- Adaptive cruise features (following distance, stop-and-go) unavailable
- Check engine light in some applications
- Normal driving otherwise completely unaffected
- Companion codes such as U0104 or U0235 stored alongside U0405
Diagnostic steps
- 1.Read ALL stored codes — companion cruise, radar, or communication codes usually name the underlying fault.
- 2.On adaptive cruise vehicles, inspect the front radar/camera sensor for obstruction, damage, or misalignment, especially after any front-end work.
- 3.Check battery and charging system voltage; low voltage can cause implausible module data.
- 4.Verify the cruise control module has current, correct software, particularly after a module replacement.
- 5.Inspect bus wiring and connectors serving the cruise module and front sensor for damage or corrosion.
- 6.After repairs, perform any required radar alignment/calibration procedure, clear codes, and confirm cruise engages on a road test.
Repair cost
$100 – $900
A software update or reflash runs $100-$300, and clearing an obstruction costs nothing. Radar alignment/calibration after front-end work typically runs $150-$400. Replacing a failed adaptive cruise module or radar sensor is the expensive case at $500-$900+ depending on the vehicle. Basic (non-adaptive) systems are usually at the low end of the range.
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
Leave this one to a qualified shop. It typically involves emissions-critical components, refrigerant handling, or other work that requires manufacturer-grade tooling, training, or certification. DIY attempts often produce a more expensive problem than the original code.