U0197 on Chevrolet
Lost Communication With Telephone Control Module
U0197 on Chevrolet vehicles indicates lost communication with telephone control module. Au7o has documented this code across 1 Chevrolet model — most commonly on Equinox. A generic network code that sets when a module loses the expected data messages from the Telephone Control Module, which manages hands-free/Bluetooth phone functions. Set after the module fails to respond for a calibrated period.
Common Causes of U0197
- •Loss of power or ground to the telephone control module
- •Open, shorted, or corroded bus wiring
- •Loose or corroded connector
- •Blown fuse
- •Failed telephone control module
U0197 on Chevrolet by Model
Chevrolet Equinox(1 issue)
- Telematics (OnStar) Control Module Failure Causing Parasitic Battery Drain and Loss of Automatic Crash Response2024-2026
The telematics control module — the OnStar unit — fails on a large scale across the redesigned Equinox and the Equinox EV. It is the single largest complaint cluster in NHTSA's electrical-system category for the 2025 Equinox. When the module fails it stops sleeping and continuously draws current, flattening the 12-volt battery; owners report waking to a dead vehicle and, in the worst cases, the car shutting down mid-drive, with one report of the battery measured at 0.03 volts. The failure simultaneously disables every OnStar-dependent safety and convenience function: Automatic Crash Response, emergency calling, GPS position (which can read miles off), remote start, remote lock/unlock through the myChevrolet app, and over-the-air update delivery. Replacement modules have been on nationwide backorder for extended periods, with owners reporting month-plus waits and at least one case where the replacement module was itself faulty. GM has not issued a recall or a public service bulletin for the defect.
Looking for U0197 on a different make?
View U0197 across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does U0197 mean on Chevrolet?▼
U0197 stands for "Lost Communication With Telephone Control Module." A generic network code that sets when a module loses the expected data messages from the Telephone Control Module, which manages hands-free/Bluetooth phone functions. Set after the module fails to respond for a calibrated period. On Chevrolet specifically, this code is documented across 1 model.
What causes U0197 on Chevrolet vehicles?▼
Common causes on Chevrolet: Loss of power or ground to the telephone control module, Open, shorted, or corroded bus wiring, Loose or corroded connector, Blown fuse, Failed telephone control module. Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix U0197 on a Chevrolet?▼
Repair costs vary widely depending on the root cause and specific Chevrolet model.
Which Chevrolet models have U0197 documented?▼
Au7o has documented U0197 on 1 Chevrolet model: Equinox.