Network, generic

U052A Invalid Data Received From Heated Steering Wheel Module

Check engine lightUsually off

EmissionsNot relevant

Drive cycleNot required

Limp modeNo

The heated steering wheel module powers the heating mat in the rim and reports its state, such as heater on or off, the requested level and the rim temperature read by an embedded thermistor, to the body or climate network. A receiver that gets these frames but finds the content implausible (temperature out of range, bad checksum or counter, wrong length) logs U052A; if the frames stop entirely, U0229 is set instead. Ford shows that the hardware depends on the option: if adaptive steering is fitted, heating is a job of Ford's SECM, the steering effort controller inside the wheel, otherwise of a separate HSWM (SSM 47850). No bulletin names U052A itself. For the driver the rim may stay cold, switch off early or show no status; steering is unaffected.

Likely causes

Rim temperature sensor drifting or open, giving implausible values

Worn clock spring or steering wheel wiring to the heater circuit

Heated steering wheel module internally faulty

Module software or configuration not matching after programming

Symptoms

Heated steering wheel stays cold or switches off early
Heater indicator or menu shows no or wrong status

Repair estimate

DifficultyMediumWorkshop job

Parts and labour€0–700

Time0.5–3 h

Typical range across vehicles; the real cost depends on what the testing finds.

Parts involved

heated steering wheel module

Related codes

U0229

References: static.nhtsa.gov, patents.google.com, patents.google.com.