Network, generic

U0552 Invalid Data Received From Running Board Control Module B

Check engine lightUsually off
EmissionsNot relevant
Drive cycleNot required
Limp modeNo

A second running board controller only makes sense where each side of the vehicle has its own electronics. A 2004 Ford patent for powered boards has one central module drive the left and right boards separately, so a design with one node per side is plausible, but no manufacturer publishes which side B would be. Ford, the best documented user of power running boards, fits a single RBM in the F-150, Super Duty and Expedition/Navigator; it drops from Auto to Off after a battery undervoltage event with U3003:16 (SSM 50154). U0552 means messages from module B arrive but fail plausibility; U0251 would mean they are missing. No manufacturer documents U0552 publicly. Typically one board stops deploying or the feature switches itself off.

Likely causes

Battery undervoltage or discharged battery disturbing the running board electronics
Running board module software fault (Ford fixes comparable faults by reprogramming)
Corroded connector or chafed wiring at the board motor under the body
Running board control module B internally faulty

Symptoms

  • Running board on one side no longer deploys or retracts
  • Running board setting changes from Auto to Off without driver input

Repair estimate

DifficultyMediumWorkshop job
Parts and labour€0–900
Time0.5–3 h

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

Parts involved

running board module b

Related codes

U0251U0545

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