OBD-II trouble code
U0457: Invalid Data Received From Information Center 'A'
A module is receiving messages from the information center (driver information display) 'A', but the data inside them is implausible or out of range. The link is alive; the content is wrong. It affects displayed information and menus, not how the car drives.
Quick facts
- System
- Network
- Category
- Network Communication
- Severity
- Low severity
- Drivable
- Usually safe to drive short-term
- Repair cost range
- $90 – $900
- DIY difficulty
- Intermediate DIY
What does U0457 mean?
The information center — often called the driver information center (DIC), message center, or multi-information display — is the screen and controller that shows trip data, warning messages, menu settings, and status readouts to the driver, typically in the instrument cluster or center stack. The 'A' designation identifies the primary information center on vehicles that use more than one display controller. U0457 sets when a receiving module is still hearing from information center 'A', 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 simply can't be trusted — the defining difference from a lost-communication code, where the display module has gone completely silent.
This is a comfort/information fault rather than a driveability fault. The engine, transmission, brakes, and steering are unaffected; what can misbehave is the display itself — garbled or frozen readouts, incorrect trip or warning information, menus that won't respond correctly, or features that depend on the display losing function. The concern isn't performance; it's that a driver may see wrong information or miss a legitimate warning shown through the center. Common causes cluster around whatever corrupts the module's data or its network link: low system voltage or a poor ground; corroded, loose, or damaged connectors behind the display; chafed or damaged bus wiring; and software or configuration problems after a display module or head-unit update. Because infotainment and display modules are frequently updated, a software mismatch after a service update is a common trigger.
Symptoms center on the display: incorrect, frozen, or garbled information center readouts, menu or setting glitches, occasional companion infotainment codes, and a stored U0457 — usually with no change in how the vehicle drives. It's worth diagnosing so real warning messages aren't lost, but it is not an urgent safety code on its own.
Common causes
- Low system voltage, a weak battery, or a poor ground
- Corroded, loose, or damaged connectors behind the information center display
- Chafed or damaged bus wiring corrupting messages in transit
- Software mismatch or corrupted update on the display or head unit
- Information center module replaced without correct configuration
- Intermittent internal fault in the information center module
- Recent electrical work or a low battery during a software update
Symptoms
- Incorrect, frozen, or garbled information center readouts
- Trip, warning, or status information that doesn't match reality
- Menu or setting glitches in the driver information display
- Companion infotainment or network-communication codes stored alongside U0457
- No change in how the vehicle starts, runs, or drives
Diagnostic steps
- 1.Read all stored codes and note any companion infotainment or display codes.
- 2.Load-test the battery and verify charging voltage and the module's grounds — low voltage is a common cause of display data faults.
- 3.Check for available software updates for the display/head unit; a mismatch after an update is a frequent trigger.
- 4.Inspect the connectors behind the information center for corrosion, looseness, and bent pins.
- 5.Check bus wiring to the display module for chafing and damage.
- 6.Confirm whether the module was recently replaced or updated — a missing configuration can cause invalid data.
- 7.If inputs and wiring check out, suspect an internal module fault and verify with manufacturer service data.
Repair cost
$90 – $900
Cost depends on the cause. A software update/reflash or reconfiguration is often $100-$300. Repairing a connector, ground, or wiring fault is typically $90-$350. Information center/display module replacement with programming is the higher end at roughly $400-$900 depending on the vehicle and whether the display is integrated into the cluster. Because this is a display fault, confirm a software or wiring fix before replacing the module.
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 intermediate DIY job. It usually involves diagnostic steps, specialty parts, and some careful work in tight spaces. If you have the tools and a service manual or trustworthy video for your specific vehicle, it is achievable in a weekend. Otherwise, a competent independent shop will be faster.