iRacing Loading Error 22 or 71

iRacing Loading Errors 22 and 71 usually point to car content that is missing, outdated, or corrupt. PitMedic favors the smallest repair: replace the affected car before considering a reset of shared car metadata.

Automatic repair availableActiveEvidence reviewed 2026-09-01Guide updated 2026-09-29

Checks and expected results

If one car fails while other combinations load, the problem is likely limited to that vehicle's installed files. Error 71 can also involve shared car metadata or the pace-car safety directory. A failure across every car requires a broader content check than a single-car error.

Before you repair it

Record which car or multiclass session triggers the loading error.
Test a different car at the same track to separate car content from track content.
Close iRacing before changing files in its installation directory.
Start with the named car when it is identifiable. If several cars fail, review the shared-metadata recovery rather than removing the full cars directory.

How to confirm the result

iRacing should offer the removed car or shared metadata as an update. After it is downloaded again, retry the same car-and-track combination and confirm that other installed content remains available.

Repair limits and when to stop

The exact car folder must be identified before a targeted replacement. Shared metadata resets are broader; do not promise that every car error can be parsed to one folder or erase personal setups and paints.

How PitMedic recognizes it

iRacing reports Loading Error 22/71 or car-data corruption while other content remains available.

Signals PitMedic may recognize

Loading Error 22
Loading Error 71
cars.dat
car data

Built-in response

Prefer targeted removal of the affected vehicle folder when identifiable. If several cars are implicated, reset cars.dat/version.txt and let iRacing redownload content.

Repair safetyReversible / one-click when the affected content can be identified

Verification sources

PitMedic prioritizes vendor documentation and labels community findings separately.

Loading Error 22iRacing Support · Official source
Official guidance says the error usually indicates a bad car file and recommends redownloading the affected car, then resetting cars.dat/version.txt if necessary.
Open source
Loading Error 71iRacing Support · Official source
Official guidance identifies out-of-date/corrupt car content and describes removing affected car data and car metadata.
Open source