U11C3 on Mercedes-Benz
ESM Lost Communication With TCM On DPT CAN
U11C3 on Mercedes-Benz vehicles indicates esm lost communication with tcm on dpt can. Au7o has documented this code across 1 Mercedes-Benz model — most commonly on GLE. U11C3 is a Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/RAM (Stellantis) manufacturer-specific network code indicating the Electronic Shift Module (ESM) has lost communication with the Transmission Control Module (TCM) over the DPT (Dedicated Powertrain) CAN bus. It sets when the ESM cannot exchange messages with the TCM for more than roughly 300 ms. Because the shifter and transmission can no longer reliably communicate, it can cause shifting problems, no-start or no-shift conditions, and limp/default behavior. Typical repair costs on Mercedes-Benz range from $800 to $4,500, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Common Causes of U11C3
- •Faulty or corroded wiring/connectors between the ESM and TCM on the CAN DPT bus
- •Open, short, or high-resistance in the CAN bus circuit (CAN-high/CAN-low) or loss of bus terminating resistance
- •Failed or internally faulty Transmission Control Module (TCM)
- •Failed or faulty Electronic Shift Module (ESM)
- •Poor power or ground supply to the TCM or ESM
- •Damaged connector pins (bent, pushed-out, spread, or corroded terminals)
U11C3 on Mercedes-Benz by Model
Mercedes-Benz GLE(1 issue)
- 48V Mild-Hybrid ISG / 48V Battery Malfunction Causing Sudden Power Loss2020-2025
GLE models equipped with the EQ Boost 48-volt mild-hybrid system (GLE 350, GLE 450, GLE 450d, GLE 580 and AMG variants on the W167 platform) commonly trigger a '48V Battery Malfunction' or 'Hybrid System Error' warning. The integrated starter-generator (ISG) and 48V lithium-ion battery, along with the DC/DC converter, are known weak points. Owners report sudden loss of drive power on the motorway, disabled stop/start, weak acceleration and repeated stalling, sometimes resolving only after the car is powered down for 10-15 minutes. A March 2022 Mercedes TSB acknowledged that the battery self-test can disconnect the 48V battery due to software, hardware, cooling or false-positive faults. Many owners report multiple unsuccessful dealer visits and weeks of downtime, with the fault often persisting under warranty.
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View U11C3 across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does U11C3 mean on Mercedes-Benz?▼
U11C3 stands for "ESM Lost Communication With TCM On DPT CAN." U11C3 is a Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/RAM (Stellantis) manufacturer-specific network code indicating the Electronic Shift Module (ESM) has lost communication with the Transmission Control Module (TCM) over the DPT (Dedicated Powertrain) CAN bus. It sets when the ESM cannot exchange messages with the TCM for more than roughly 300 ms. Because the shifter and transmission can no longer reliably communicate, it can cause shifting problems, no-start or no-shift conditions, and limp/default behavior. On Mercedes-Benz specifically, this code is documented across 1 model.
What causes U11C3 on Mercedes-Benz vehicles?▼
Common causes on Mercedes-Benz: Faulty or corroded wiring/connectors between the ESM and TCM on the CAN DPT bus, Open, short, or high-resistance in the CAN bus circuit (CAN-high/CAN-low) or loss of bus terminating resistance, Failed or internally faulty Transmission Control Module (TCM), Failed or faulty Electronic Shift Module (ESM), Poor power or ground supply to the TCM or ESM. Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix U11C3 on a Mercedes-Benz?▼
Repair costs on Mercedes-Benz range from $800 to $4,500, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Which Mercedes-Benz models have U11C3 documented?▼
Au7o has documented U11C3 on 1 Mercedes-Benz model: GLE.