OBD-II trouble code
U0417: Invalid Data Received From Park Brake Control Module
A module is receiving messages from the electronic park brake control module, but the data inside them is implausible or out of range. The connection is alive — the content is wrong. Because it touches the parking brake and can affect ABS/stability data, treat it seriously.
Quick facts
- System
- Network
- Category
- Network Communication
- Severity
- Medium severity
- Drivable
- Usually safe to drive short-term
- Repair cost range
- $100 – $1,000
- DIY difficulty
- Shop recommended
What does U0417 mean?
Vehicles with an electronic parking brake (EPB) use a park brake control module to apply and release the rear brakes electrically — driving small motors on the calipers or a cable puller — instead of a manual lever or foot pedal. The module reports park brake status, motor position, and applied force to the rest of the vehicle over the network, and other systems (ABS, stability control, hill-hold, and the instrument cluster) rely on that status. U0417 sets when a receiving module is still hearing from the park brake control module, but the data in its messages is invalid: a value is out of range, implausible, or contradicts what other modules see. The link is alive; the content can't be trusted — which is the key difference from a lost-communication code like U0128, where the module has gone completely silent.
Because the fault is bad data rather than a dead connection, the causes lean toward whatever makes the module broadcast wrong information. A failing input — a caliper motor position or force sensor, or an apply-switch signal — can push the module into reporting values other modules reject. Low system voltage is an especially common trigger here: the EPB motors draw a meaningful current spike when they apply or release, and a weak battery or bad ground can make the module's readings unreliable at exactly that moment. The module's software can be at fault if it's outdated, corrupted, or was never programmed after a replacement, and electrical noise or damaged bus wiring can corrupt otherwise-good messages.
Symptoms follow which data is invalid. The electronic parking brake may refuse to apply or release, throw a park brake warning, or ask you to service the system; because ABS and stability control consume park brake status, those systems can also set warnings or reduce functionality. On many vehicles you also need a scan tool to put the EPB into service mode before rear brake work — forcing the caliper piston back by hand can damage the actuator. The vehicle usually remains driveable, but a parking brake that won't hold or release is a real inconvenience and a potential safety issue, so U0417 deserves prompt attention; read the full code list, because a companion park brake or sensor code often names the real root cause.
Common causes
- Low system voltage or a weak battery/charging system (common, given the EPB motors' current draw)
- Failing caliper motor position or force sensor feeding the module bad data
- Corroded or damaged park brake actuator wiring or connectors at the rear calipers
- Outdated, corrupted, or mismatched park brake control module software
- Module replaced without proper programming
- Electrical noise or damaged bus wiring corrupting messages in transit
- Poor ground connection making the module's readings unreliable
- Park brake control module internal fault
Symptoms
- Electronic parking brake refusing to apply or release
- Park brake warning light or 'Service Park Brake' message
- ABS or stability control warnings, since they use park brake status
- Hill-hold or auto-hold feature disabled
- Warning chimes when shifting to Park or attempting to set the brake
- Companion park brake or sensor codes stored alongside U0417
- Vehicle generally still driveable, but the parking brake may be unreliable
Diagnostic steps
- 1.Read ALL stored codes first — U0417 is often secondary to a park brake actuator or sensor code that names the bad signal.
- 2.Check battery and charging system voltage and grounds carefully; low voltage is a leading cause here because the EPB motors spike current when they cycle.
- 3.Use live data to compare the module's reported park brake status and motor position against actual state as you apply and release.
- 4.Inspect the rear caliper actuator wiring and connectors for corrosion, chafing, or road-salt damage.
- 5.Verify the park brake control module has the correct, current calibration, especially after any recent module replacement or flash.
- 6.Address any companion codes before condemning the module; the underlying fault often clears U0417. Use the scan tool's service mode before any rear brake work.
Repair cost
$100 – $1,000
Cost depends on what's producing the bad data. Correcting low voltage, a bad ground, or a charging fault is $150-$600 and is the most common fix. A caliper actuator or sensor repair typically runs $250-$700 per corner including diagnosis. A module reflash is usually $100-$300. Park brake control module replacement with programming runs $400-$1,000, but should only follow thorough diagnosis since U0417 is frequently a secondary code.
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.