OBD-II trouble code
U042D: Invalid Data Received From Active Vibration Control Module
A module is receiving messages from the active vibration control module, but the data inside them is implausible or out of range. The link is alive — the content is wrong. Mostly affects ride smoothness and cabin noise, not driveability.
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 U042D mean?
The active vibration control module manages the systems that cancel out engine and driveline vibration before it reaches the cabin — typically active (electronically controlled) engine mounts, and on some vehicles an active noise-cancellation or active tuned-mass damper setup. It reads engine speed, load, and vibration signals, then commands the mounts or actuators to stiffen, soften, or counter-oscillate so the car stays smooth, especially at idle, during cylinder deactivation, and under changing load. It reports its status to other modules over the communication network. U042D sets when a receiving module is still hearing from the active vibration control module, but the data in its messages is invalid — a value is out of range, implausible, or contradicts what other modules see. The connection is alive; the content can't be trusted. That is the key difference from a lost-communication code, which means the module has gone completely silent.
Because the fault is bad data rather than a dead bus, the causes cluster around whatever makes the module broadcast wrong information. A failing input — an engine-speed or vibration sensor, or the position/pressure feedback from an active mount — can push the module into reporting values other modules reject. On vehicles with vacuum- or solenoid-actuated active mounts, a leaking vacuum line or stuck solenoid can make the feedback data implausible. Low system voltage is a classic trigger, since module logic gets unreliable as voltage sags. The module's own software can be at fault if it is outdated, corrupted, or was never properly programmed after a replacement, and corroded connectors or chafed wiring around the engine bay can corrupt otherwise-good messages in transit.
Symptoms are usually comfort-related rather than driveability-related. You may notice more engine vibration felt through the steering wheel, seat, or shifter — most obvious at idle, at stops with the engine running, or during the transition in and out of cylinder deactivation. There may be a check engine light and, on some vehicles, a chassis or ride-comfort warning. The car stays fully driveable because active vibration control is a refinement feature, not a control system: base engine, brakes, and steering are unaffected. That is why U042D is authored as low severity. Still, worsening vibration can be an early hint of a genuinely failing active mount, so it is worth diagnosing rather than ignoring — and because U042D is frequently a secondary code, read the full list, since a companion mount or sensor code often names the real root cause.
Common causes
- Failing engine-speed or vibration sensor feeding the module bad data
- Faulty active engine mount, or its position/pressure feedback sensor, reporting implausible values
- Leaking vacuum line or stuck solenoid on a vacuum/solenoid-actuated active mount
- Low system voltage or a weak battery/charging system
- Corroded connectors or chafed wiring in the engine bay
- Outdated, corrupted, or mismatched active vibration control module software
- Active vibration control module replaced without proper programming
- Electrical noise or damaged bus wiring corrupting messages in transit
Symptoms
- Check engine light, sometimes with a ride-comfort or chassis warning
- More engine vibration felt through the wheel, seat, or shifter, especially at idle
- Rougher idle or noticeable shudder at stops with the engine running
- Vibration during the transition in and out of cylinder deactivation
- Companion active-mount or sensor codes stored alongside U042D
- Vehicle otherwise driving normally — power, braking, and steering unaffected
Diagnostic steps
- 1.Read ALL stored codes first — U042D is often secondary to an active-mount or sensor code that names the bad signal.
- 2.Confirm what the active vibration system uses on this vehicle (active mounts, active damper, or noise cancellation), then focus testing there.
- 3.Check battery and charging system voltage; low voltage is a common cause of implausible module data.
- 4.Use live data to compare the module's reported engine-speed and vibration values against actual conditions.
- 5.On vacuum/solenoid-actuated mounts, inspect vacuum lines and test the mount solenoids for correct operation.
- 6.Inspect engine-bay connectors and wiring to the module and mounts for corrosion, chafing, and loose pins.
- 7.Verify the module has the correct, current calibration, then address any companion codes before condemning the module.
Repair cost
$100 – $900
Cost depends on what is producing the bad data. Correcting low voltage or a charging fault is $150-$600. A vibration or engine-speed sensor is often $120-$350 installed. An active engine mount is the pricier common case, frequently $300-$700 or more per mount installed depending on the vehicle. A module reflash is usually $100-$300, and active vibration control module replacement with programming is the expensive end at $500-$900 — but that should only follow thorough diagnosis, since U042D 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.