The invention relates to controller area network message transmission disable testing systems and methods. Specifically, an inhibit path diagnostic system includes a first control module. The first control module includes a message output and transmits a first message from the message output to a controller area network (CAN) via a message transmission path. An inhibit path circuit includes the message transmission path. A second control module transmits a disable control signal to the inhibit path circuit to disable the message transmission path. The first control module transmits a second message from the message output subsequent to and based on the transmitting of the disable control signal. At least one of the first control module and the second control module detects a fault of the inhibit path circuit subsequent to the transmitting of the second message and based on a feedback signal from the CAN.