OBD-II code · Network

U0072 Vehicle Communication Bus A (-) Bus Off

The CAN controller for bus A has gone bus-off on the minus side. Common after a CAN-L short or a faulty transceiver pulling the bus low.

Is it safe to drive with U0072?

The car may go into limp mode (reduced power). Get it diagnosed before a long trip.

Common causes

  • Most likelyPersistent short on CAN-L wire
  • Less likelyGateway module routing CAN messages incorrectly
  • Less likelyCAN terminating resistor (120 Ω) drifted out of spec

Symptoms

  • Multiple warning lights may illuminate
  • Affected modules may go into limp mode or shut down
  • Specific functions inoperative depending on module
  • Diagnostic tools may show communication faults

Repair at a glance

Difficulty
Hard
DIY friendly
Best left to a mechanic
Typical labour
1–6 h
Emissions test
Usually unaffected
Parts involved
Can Transceiver, Can Low Wire

Code data: OBDex open dataset (CC0). Labour times are typical ranges, not a quote.