U0140 on Kia: How to Diagnose & Fix
Lost Communication with BCM
1 Kia model · 1 documented issue · $200-$1,200 repair
U0140 on Kia by model: symptoms, diagnosis and fix
Tellurides repeatedly go dead overnight or after a few days parked, with owners jump-starting and replacing perfectly good batteries only to have the problem return. Owners suspect the always-on cellular telematics modem (Kia Access / UVO remote start and remote climate) of not fully sleeping, and the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) — the body/smart-key control module, which Kia TSB ELE302 reflashes on some 2023 Tellurides built Jan 3 - Jun 5, 2023 for a drained 12V battery — is the second common culprit; a failing IBU or a module that will not enter sleep leaves a parasitic draw well above the ~30-50 mA target. Contributing triggers reported across the owner community include the key fob left within proximity range of the vehicle (which keeps the smart-key ECU and body modules awake), and heavy use of remote-start via the app. Dealers frequently fail to reproduce this because the draw only appears after the vehicle should have entered deep sleep — several owners report the dealership needing a month to catch it.
Common Symptoms
- Dead battery after sitting overnight or a few days
- Repeat no-start requiring jump start
- Multiple batteries replaced with no improvement
- Cluster warning lights and radio presets reset after a no-start
- Remote start via app fails intermittently
How to Fix
Insist on a proper parasitic draw test, not just a battery load test: with the vehicle fully asleep (typically 40-60 minutes after lock, doors closed with the latch pinned), an ammeter in series on the negative terminal should read under about 50 mA. If it is higher, pull fuses one at a time to isolate the circuit — telematics/AVN and the IBU circuit are the two to check first. Fixes reported include IBU replacement, telematics unit replacement, and the Kia IBU software update in TSB ELE302 (2023 models). As an interim measure, store the key fobs well away from the vehicle, disable non-essential remote features in the Kia Access app, and if the vehicle sits for long periods use a battery maintainer. Replace the battery only after the draw is fixed — repeat deep discharges permanently damage it.
Sources for this issue (6)
- Kia TSB ELE302 — Smart Key Operation Logic Improvement (IBU software, 2023 Telluride, drained 12V battery)tsb
- Kia Telluride Battery Drain Recall Needed, Claims Lawsuit (2020-2026 Telluride) — CarComplaints.comarticle
- 2023 Telluride Battery Draining — Kia Telluride Forumsforum
- Dead battery — Kia Telluride Forumsforum
- Battery Drain Issue — Kia Telluride Forumforum
- Telluride issues — battery dead as can be — Kia Telluride Forumforum
U0140 code reference
General diagnostic-code context. The code alone does not confirm a cause for your vehicle; use the applicable issue card and its sources.
Frequently asked questions
What does U0140 mean on a Kia?
U0140 stands for "Lost Communication with BCM." U0140 is a network communication code meaning a module has lost communication with the body control module (BCM) over the vehicle's data bus. The BCM oversees many body and convenience functions — lighting, door locks, windows, wipers, anti-theft, and gateway communications — so losing contact with it can cause a wide range of seemingly unrelated electrical problems and warning lights. This is typically a wiring, connector, power/ground, or bus fault, or a failure of the BCM itself. Because the BCM often acts as a communication hub, this code can appear alongside other 'lost communication' codes. On Kia it is documented across 1 model: Telluride.
What are the most common causes of U0140?
The most common causes of U0140 are: Loss of power or ground to the BCM, CAN/data bus wiring damage, short, or open circuit, Corroded, loose, or damaged BCM connectors, Blown fuse feeding the BCM, Failed body control module, Water intrusion or corrosion in the harness, Another module faulting the shared data bus. The specific cause varies by vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix U0140 on a Kia?
Published repair estimates on Kia range from $200 to $1,200 depending on the model and root cause. If an issue mentions a recall or campaign, check your VIN with the manufacturer or NHTSA and confirm eligibility and coverage with a dealer.
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Content compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, and owner reports. May contain errors. Always verify with your vehicle's service manual.