Electrical system and control unitsGeneric OBD-II codeUrgency: Garage soon
Code U0155: lost communication with the instrument cluster
U0155 means: lost communication with the instrument panel cluster (IPC) control module.[1][2] The other control units no longer receive the periodic messages from the instrument cluster over the CAN network: the cluster has "gone silent" on the network, whether through lack of power or earth, broken wiring or an internal fault.[1][3]
What code U0155 means
The other control units no longer receive the periodic messages from the instrument cluster over the CAN network: the cluster has "gone silent" on the network, whether through lack of power or earth, broken wiring or an internal fault.[1][3]
It is a network fault, not a mechanical one, and it is a generic code (U0): it means the same on any brand.[2][3]
Original definition (SAE J2012): Lost Communication With Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) Control Module[1][2]
Causes of U0155
From most to least likely, according to the sources.
- 1Blown fuse or a power or earth problem at the cluster.[1][3]
- 2CAN wiring to the cluster that is damaged, broken, shorted or corroded.[1][3]
- 3Cluster connector with corrosion, water or a loose pin; Carista adds that it can happen after a coolant leak or water getting into the dashboard.[1][3]
- 4Internal fault in the instrument cluster or its transceiver.[1][3]
- 5Low battery or a charging problem: with low voltage the modules drop out on starting and log communication codes.[3]
- 6Added devices (OBD adapters, alarms) that disturb the bus.[3]
Symptoms
- Warning light and several other lights on.[3]Engine warning light: faults that cause it
- Frozen cluster, with needles at zero or flickering; speedometer, rev counter, fuel or temperature with no reading.[1][3]Electronic warnings: faults that cause it
- On some cars, intermittent stalling or inability to start if the cluster takes part in the anti-theft system's communication.[3]Hard to start: faults that cause it
How to diagnose U0155
In order: from the most likely and cheapest to check to the most expensive.
- 1Scan all modules. If U0155 appears alone, it points to the cluster's power, earth or wiring; if there are many U codes, it points to a common bus or gateway fault.[3]
- 2Check the battery and charging before going further: low voltage generates false communication codes.[3]
- 3Verify the cluster's fuses, power and earth.[1][3]
- 4Inspect the connector and wiring for corrosion, water or chafing, wiggling the harness to detect intermittent faults.[3]
- 5Disconnect any OBD adapter, alarm or added accessory and check again.[3]
- 6Only if power, earth and bus are fine should the cluster be suspected: it normally has to be programmed when replaced.[1][3]
Can I keep driving with U0155?
Garage soon
AutoDTCs considers it high severity and advises against driving because the speedometer, fuel gauge and warning lights are lost; Carista classes it as medium. It should be diagnosed before you depend on the car.[1][3]
Parts related to code U0155
The parts that most often cause this code. The code points to the circuit, not always the part: diagnose before you buy.
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Documented faults related to U0155
Known faults of specific engines and cars, with their repair cost, the affected years and their sources.
Instrument cluster: the most serious faults by engine and car
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën Jumper IISteering lock switch fault that switches off the instrument panel (2014 and 2015 vehicles)Yes: Citroën recalled Citroën Jumpers built between late 2014 and mid-2015 because a fault in the steering lock switch could intermittently switch off the information on the instrument panel. Safety Gate describes it as a failure of several electrical systems with a risk of accident.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalFiat Doblò IIIInstrument cluster display fault: it may stop showing speed and warning lightsIn September 2026 a recall was published for 4,654 Doblòs built between September 2025 and 1 March 2026: because of a software fault, the instrument cluster display may stop showing speed, warning lights and messages. It is corrected with a software update of the body control module.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalFiat Grande PandaInstrument cluster software that may stop mandatory warning lights and alerts from being displayed (2026 recall F62P/F62Q)Yes: recall F62P/F62Q (Safety Gate alert SR/02286/26, August 2026) covers 2,207 vehicles, including Grande Panda MHEV cars built between 28 May and 9 July 2026. A software inconsistency can stop certain mandatory warning lights and alerts from being shown on the instrument cluster.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalHyundai Ioniq 5Recall for spontaneous restart of the instrument cluster while drivingHyundai recalled, among other models, Ioniq 5s built between 30 June and 14 November 2025 because the instrument cluster could restart by itself while driving, with the screen going black for a few seconds and a delay in showing warnings. In Germany it affected 4,271 of the group's 36,316 units worldwide; it is fixed with a software update.
Wiring, connectors and short circuits: the most serious faults by engine and car
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW N62 / N63Additional turbo coolant pump with a risk of short circuit and fireIn 2011 BMW recalled 5, 6 and 7 Series, X5 and X6 models built between 2007 and 2011 because of the additional turbo coolant pump: moisture, a short circuit and, in extreme cases, a fire. In 2012 there was another campaign for a crack in the pump, with a more robust version.
- Critical severityFrequency: Occasional1.6 GDi híbrido (Kappa)Main relay of the power relay assembly (overheating and fire risk)Yes, on the first units: Hyundai and Kia recalled 2016–2018 Ioniq and Niro hybrids and plug-in hybrids because the main relay that connects the high-voltage battery could come loose, overheat and, in the worst case, cause a fire.
- Critical severityFrequency: Occasional1.6 GDi híbrido (Kappa)Clutch hydraulic actuator (HCA): leak or moisture with risk of short circuit and fireYes, this is the most documented hybrid system fault: the hydraulic actuator that engages the combustion engine with the hybrid assembly has had two recalls (2018 for a leak on the Niro and 2025 for moisture in its electronic board on the Niro, Ceed and XCeed PHEV), with a risk of short circuit and fire.
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.3 TCeBlown fuel pump fuseOn the Renault Captur II and Clio V with the 1.3 TCe engine, a 20-amp fuse can blow and leave the car without an engine. According to L'argus, in April 2021 this fault still had no factory fix; the official service centre's diagnosis includes checking, and sometimes replacing, the catalytic converter.
- Critical severityFrequency: CommonRover 75Seat SRS connector fault with airbag and seatbelt warning light onAuto Express warns that the Rover 75's seat SRS connector can cause the airbags to fail, and dealers were fixing it with revised connectors. The Dutch APK inspection puts the airbag or seatbelt fault warning among the most frequent defects across almost all series.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAlfa Romeo GiuliettaShort circuit from badly routed wiring that can prevent gear shifting (KBA campaign, 2010-2015)Yes: according to Germany's KBA, on Alfa Romeo Giulietta cars built between 2010 and 2015 inadequate cable routing could cause a short circuit and, as a result, gear-shift failure.
12 V battery: the most serious faults by engine and car
- High severityFrequency: CommonHyundai-Kia E-GMP (Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, EV6)Faulty ICCU: 12 V battery drains, charging fails and power is lostThe ICCU, which combines the on-board charger and the converter that powers the 12 V system, can fail on the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6 and EV6: it cuts AC charging, drains the 12 V battery and, in the worst case, the car loses power and stops. Hyundai and Kia have recalled units built from 2021 to 2024.Repair: €2,000–€5,000
- Medium severityFrequency: Very frequent1.5 Hybrid12 V battery going flat while parkedYes: on the hybrid Yaris and Yaris Cross, the 12 V battery can go flat within a few days while parked because of the residual draw of modules such as eCall or keyless entry. It is fixed with a software update or, if the battery is already damaged, by replacing it.
- Medium severityFrequency: Very frequent1.8 HybridThe 12V battery drains on the C-HR and Corolla hybridsYes: on the first-generation C-HR hybrid, the 12V battery is one of the most frequently reported faults: it runs flat after a few days standing or on short trips, and the car will not start. The ADAC and Toyota itself point to it as a cause of faults on the C-HR and Corolla.
- Medium severityFrequency: Very frequent2.0 and 2.5 HybridThe 12 V battery goes flat if the car sits unused for several daysYes, it is a common complaint: the 12 V battery can go flat after just a few days without using the car, because of the standby drain from the electronics (multimedia, telematics, keyless entry). With the 12 V battery very low, the hybrid system can lock itself into a safe mode.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 6 E63/E64Battery drain and loose positive cableThe battery and alternator are frequently cited by Fiches-auto, and there is a recall for the battery's positive cable, which can work loose.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalFord Galaxy IIIAcid leak from the 12 V battery (campaign 18P11)According to the fiches-auto.fr page, campaign 18P11 (August 2019) covers Galaxies built between February 2014 and February 2019 over a risk of battery acid leaking, which can worsen over time.
Control units and comfort electronics (BSI, SAM...): the most serious faults by engine and car
- High severityFrequency: CommonPeugeot 408Electronic faults with the doors, boot and screen (suspected BSI control unit)In 2025 Peugeot recalled around 60,000 2023-2024 Peugeot 308 and 408 cars (code MUV) over a software fault in the door control unit that can cause unintended opening or closing and disable the anti-trap protection on the windows; 408 owners also describe a power boot lid that will not open or close and a screen that goes black.
- High severityFrequency: CommonRenault Laguna IIMultiplex electrical system and hands-free card faultsThe Laguna II had a reputation problem because of faults in its multiplexed electrical network: the hands-free card, the card reader and the ABS, ESP and handbrake warning lights came on erratically, especially in the early years of production (2001-2003).
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalMazda MX-5 IVDC/DC converter control unit fault with risk of short circuit and fireA 2018 Safety Gate alert covers MX-5 ND models built between August 2014 and April 2017: the DC converter control unit could fail, cause a short circuit and damage the converter, with a risk of fire. It is a precautionary recall; check the chassis number at the official service centre.
- Medium severityFrequency: Very frequentFiat StiloElectrical and electronic faults in the multiplex systemThe Stilo has had a reputation for widespread electrical faults since its launch: poor contacts in the multiplex wiring, an instrument cluster that switches off and sensors that disconnect, sometimes while the car is running.
U0155 by make
Documented faults that can trigger U0155 in each make's engines and cars.
Frequently asked questions
Does the instrument cluster need replacing?
Not necessarily. Most cases are a fuse, earth, low battery or damaged wiring; replacing the cluster only makes sense after ruling out power, earth and network.[3]
Can a cheap OBD adapter cause this code?
Yes, adapters and added devices are a known cause of communication codes. Remove it and test again.[3]
Can a weak battery give a network code?
Yes. When the voltage drops on starting, the modules switch off for an instant and codes such as U0155 are logged.[3]
Can I drive with U0155?
AutoDTCs advises against it because the speedometer and warning lights are lost. If the gauges look normal, take the car to a garage without delay.[3]
Will I pass the MOT with code U0155?
If the code has switched on the engine warning light, no: with that light on, the inspection records a serious defect, and on Euro 5 and Euro 6 cars the ITV (Spain's roadworthiness inspection, similar to the MOT) also reads the OBD diagnostic system. Repair the fault before you go; clearing the code just before the inspection does not help either, because it counts as a serious defect.[4]
Not sure what is wrong with your car? Describe what you notice in the symptom diagnosis or see all fault codes.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- U0155: OBD-II trouble codeCarista · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026
- u0155 Generic DTC: Lost Communication With Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) Control ModuleDTCSearch.com · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026
- U0155 – Lost communication with instrument panel cluster (IPC) control moduleAutoDTCs · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026
- Desmontando mitos: ¿puede pasar mi coche la ITV con el testigo de «avería motor» encendido?Diariomotor · Motoring press · published 8 March 2021 · consulted 2 October 2026 · in Spanish