U0153 — Lost Communication With Side Restraints Control Module Right
vehicle network
Is it safe to drive?
Drive with caution The car drives normally, but with the SRS light on the airbags may not deploy in a crash. Treat it as a safety-critical repair: fine to drive to the shop, not fine to ignore for months.
How to diagnose with an OBD scanner
- Read the code and freeze frame Connect an OBD2 scanner, confirm U0153 is stored, and save the freeze frame data — it shows engine conditions when the fault was detected.
- Check for companion codes and TSBs Related codes often reveal the real root cause. Also check manufacturer technical service bulletins (TSB) for your make and model — many U0xxx issues have factory fixes or software updates. Search by VIN on the manufacturer site or nhtsa.gov.
- Inspect wiring and connectors Visually inspect the wiring harness and connectors related to the airbag / restraint system (SRS) for damage, corrosion, chafing or poor contact.
- Subsystem check Read the SRS module with a scanner that supports airbag systems — generic OBD2 readers cannot see these codes.
- Subsystem check Inspect under-seat connectors — they are often disturbed by seat movement or cleaning.
- Verify the repair Clear the code, complete a full drive cycle including the conditions from the freeze frame, and confirm U0153 does not return.
Approximate repair cost
Repair cost depends on which component actually failed. Typical scenarios for U0153 (parts and labor, USD, independent shop rates): Replace a sensor or clockspring: $150–$500; Reconnect or repair SRS wiring/connectors: $80–$250; SRS module reset or replacement: $300–$1,000. Overall, fixing U0153 usually costs between $80 and $1,000. An accurate diagnosis before buying parts saves money — the most expensive scenario is rarely the first one to check.
Common questions
What does OBD2 code U0153 mean?
Lost Communication With Side Restraints Control Module Right (U0153): a vehicle network fault affecting the airbag / restraint system (SRS). Short, gentle driving to a shop is usually possible. Most often caused by failed clockspring (driver airbag circuit), faulty impact or occupancy sensor, damaged wiring under seats or in the steering column.
Will U0153 clear itself?
Sometimes U0153 clears after a few drive cycles if the fault was intermittent — for example a loose connector or a tank of bad fuel. The underlying cause usually remains, so the code tends to return. Clear it once; if it comes back, diagnose rather than erase it repeatedly.
What are the symptoms of U0153?
Drivers most often notice: airbag (SRS) warning light on, airbag system disabled message, no other driving symptoms.
How much does it cost to fix U0153?
Replace a sensor or clockspring — $150–$500; Reconnect or repair SRS wiring/connectors — $80–$250; SRS module reset or replacement — $300–$1,000. Exact cost depends on the root cause, your vehicle and local labor rates — a proper diagnosis is the cheapest first step.
Is it safe to drive with U0153?
The car drives normally, but with the SRS light on the airbags may not deploy in a crash. Treat it as a safety-critical repair: fine to drive to the shop, not fine to ignore for months.
What does U0153 mean?
Behind U0153 is a specific failure in the airbag / restraint system (SRS): lost communication with side restraints control module right. The onboard computer stores it in the vehicle network group after verifying the fault over repeated checks.
This code does not appear from a single bad reading: the module must see the fault condition repeat under defined operating conditions before it turns on the warning light. The freeze frame captured with U0153 — engine load, rpm, temperature, speed — tells you exactly when the problem occurs, so reproduce those conditions when testing.
Common symptoms of U0153
- airbag (SRS) warning light on
- airbag system disabled message
- no other driving symptoms
What causes U0153?
- depleted backup battery or low system voltage
- SRS control module fault or stored crash data
- failed clockspring (driver airbag circuit)
- faulty impact or occupancy sensor
- damaged wiring under seats or in the steering column
How to diagnose U0153
- Connect an OBD2 scanner, confirm U0153 is stored, and save the freeze frame data — it shows engine conditions when the fault was detected.
- Related codes often reveal the real root cause. Also check manufacturer technical service bulletins (TSB) for your make and model — many U0xxx issues have factory fixes or software updates. Search by VIN on the manufacturer site or nhtsa.gov.
- Visually inspect the wiring harness and connectors related to the airbag / restraint system (SRS) for damage, corrosion, chafing or poor contact.
- Read the SRS module with a scanner that supports airbag systems — generic OBD2 readers cannot see these codes.
- Inspect under-seat connectors — they are often disturbed by seat movement or cleaning.
- Clear the code, complete a full drive cycle including the conditions from the freeze frame, and confirm U0153 does not return.
How to fix U0153
Start with the cheapest and most common causes before replacing expensive parts:
- Replace a sensor or clockspring — $150–$500
- Reconnect or repair SRS wiring/connectors — $80–$250
- SRS module reset or replacement — $300–$1,000
How much does it cost to fix U0153?
Repair cost depends on which component actually failed. Typical scenarios for U0153 (parts and labor, USD, independent shop rates):
- Replace a sensor or clockspring: $150–$500
- Reconnect or repair SRS wiring/connectors: $80–$250
- SRS module reset or replacement: $300–$1,000
Overall, fixing U0153 usually costs between $80 and $1,000. An accurate diagnosis before buying parts saves money — the most expensive scenario is rarely the first one to check.
Can you drive with U0153?
The car drives normally, but with the SRS light on the airbags may not deploy in a crash. Treat it as a safety-critical repair: fine to drive to the shop, not fine to ignore for months.