OBD-II trouble code
U0474: Invalid Data Received From Restraints System Sensor D
The airbag (restraints) control module still hears from restraints system sensor D, but the data is implausible or out of range and gets rejected. Communication is fine; the values are not. Because this sensor informs airbag deployment, treat U0474 as safety-critical and diagnose it promptly.
Quick facts
- System
- Network
- Category
- Network Communication
- Severity
- High severity
- Drivable
- Usually safe to drive short-term
- Repair cost range
- $100 – $700
- DIY difficulty
- Shop recommended
What does U0474 mean?
The restraints (airbag) control module reads a network of impact and acceleration sensors to detect a crash and decide how to protect the occupants. 'Sensor D' is one specific sensor in that network — often the counterpart to sensor C on the opposite side, or another side/pillar sensor, with the exact identity set by the manufacturer. U0474 sets when a receiving module continues to receive messages from restraints system sensor D, but those messages contain invalid data — a value out of range, implausible, or at odds with the rest of the network — so the controller can no longer trust it.
This is fundamentally a data-integrity fault, not a broken link. The messages keep arriving; it's the numbers that are wrong. That is the line between U0474 and the lost-communication code U0173, where sensor D has gone quiet. Because a crash sensor sending bad data is a safety risk in both directions — an unwanted deployment or a missed one — the restraints module stores the fault, illuminates the airbag/SRS light, and can set the affected zone into a protective fault state.
Common causes are the usual signal-corrupters: a poor ground or low system voltage; corroded, loose, or moisture-damaged connectors at a low or door-adjacent mounting point; chafed wiring; a sensor drifting out of range or failing; or a software/configuration problem after a sensor or module was replaced without being programmed to the vehicle. If U0473 (sensor C) is present at the same time, look for a shared cause feeding both rather than two separate failures. The vehicle usually starts and drives normally, so the loss of protection is easy to miss. Have U0474 diagnosed by a technician equipped to work safely on airbag circuits — restraint wiring can trigger an accidental deployment if handled carelessly.
Common causes
- Corroded, loose, or moisture-damaged connector at restraints sensor D
- Water intrusion at a low or door-adjacent sensor mounting location
- Poor ground or low system voltage
- Chafed or damaged wiring corrupting the sensor's data
- Sensor D drifting out of range or internally failing
- Sensor or restraints module replaced without correct programming/configuration
- Shared power/ground/bus fault (especially if U0473 is also set)
- Connector disturbed during door, seat, or collision repair
Symptoms
- Airbag/SRS warning light on, often with a service-airbag message
- Restraints system fault state; deployment behavior for that zone may be affected
- Companion restraints or network codes stored with U0474 (often U0473)
- Intermittent setting over rough roads or after door impacts
- Vehicle otherwise starts and drives normally
Diagnostic steps
- 1.Scan the restraints/SRS module and all modules; record every code. Follow safe SRS procedure — disconnect the battery and wait the specified time before handling airbag circuits.
- 2.Check whether U0473 (sensor C) or other restraints codes are also stored — multiple codes suggest a shared power/ground/bus cause.
- 3.Locate restraints sensor D for the specific vehicle using factory service information.
- 4.Load-test the battery and verify charging voltage and the module's grounds.
- 5.Inspect the sensor D connector and harness for corrosion, moisture, backed-out terminals, and chafing.
- 6.Confirm the sensor and module are configured to the vehicle, particularly after any recent replacement.
- 7.If power, ground, and wiring are good but data stays invalid, replace sensor D with the correct part and clear codes per factory procedure.
Repair cost
$100 – $700
Cost depends on the cause. Diagnosis usually runs $100-$200. Correcting low voltage, a bad ground, or a connector is often $150-$450. Reprogramming or configuring the sensor/module is typically $100-$350. Replacing restraints system sensor D with any required programming typically runs $200-$600+ depending on the sensor and its location. If one shared fault is driving both C and D, fixing it can be cheaper than replacing sensors. On any safety system, diagnose before replacing.
Estimate your repair
Run the numbers for your vehicle
Open the Repair Cost Estimator with airbag / srs crash sensor replacement 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.