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DTC codes / U01xx · Lost communication with a control module / U0153

U0153Lost Communication With Side Restraints Control Module Right

U0153 means the vehicle's main body computer has lost the controller area network (CAN) communication link with the right-side restraints control module, the unit that fires the right-side airbags and seatbelt pretensioners. The computer detects this when it stops receiving the periodic status messages the module is supposed to broadcast, so it flags the circuit as offline rather than reporting a crash sensor fault.

SystemNetwork
Code typeGeneric (all makes)
SeverityMedium
Fix difficultyIntermediate
AreaLost communication with a control module

Symptoms you may notice

  • The supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning light stays illuminated on the dashboard.
  • A message such as 'Service Restraint System' or 'Airbag Fault' appears in the driver information center.
  • The right-side airbags and right seatbelt pretensioner are disabled and will not deploy in a collision.
  • Other modules on the same CAN bus may log communication codes or show intermittent electrical glitches.
  • Often no symptoms besides the warning light, with the vehicle driving and starting normally.

Common causes, most likely first

  1. A loose, corroded, or backed-out terminal in the right-side restraints module connector or its CAN bus splice.
  2. A damaged or chafed wire in the CAN bus run to the right-side module, often from seat track movement or trim removal.
  3. The right-side restraints control module itself has failed internally and stopped transmitting.
  4. A blown fuse or poor ground serving the right-side module, cutting its power and communication.
  5. Water intrusion or corrosion at the module mounting location, common under the right seat or kick panel.
  6. A fault in another module or a shorted CAN bus segment that pulls the entire network down.
  7. A low or failing battery that causes modules to drop offline intermittently during cranking.

How to diagnose and fix it

  1. Scan all modules and record every stored code, then clear codes and verify whether U0153 returns immediately or only after a drive cycle.
  2. Inspect the right-side restraints module connector for corrosion, loose pins, and pushed-back terminals, and reseat it firmly.
  3. Check the fuse and ground for the right-side module with a multimeter before condemning any part.
  4. Measure CAN bus voltage and resistance at the module connector to confirm the bus is intact and not shorted.
  5. Perform a wiggle test on the harness while watching live communication status to expose an intermittent wire break.
  6. If power, ground, and bus signals are good at the connector, substitute a known-good module and recheck communication.
  7. After repair, clear codes and confirm the SRS light extinguishes and all modules report online through a full drive cycle.

Why the right-side module drops offline

  • A seat track that has been moved fully forward or back can pinch the harness to the right-side module, so inspect the wire routing before replacing anything.
  • This code does not mean the airbag itself is faulty; it means the computer cannot talk to the module that controls it, and the module is usually the last suspect.
  • A weak battery that drops voltage during cranking is a frequent cause of intermittent U0153 because modules reboot and miss their status messages.
  • Aftermarket accessories wired into the right seat or kick panel circuit can disturb the CAN bus and set this code without any factory component failing.
  • If several U-codes are stored together, diagnose the network fault first, because one shorted module can take down communication for the whole bus.

Can I keep driving with U0153?

The vehicle usually remains drivable, but the right-side airbags and pretensioner are disabled, so avoid collisions and have the fault repaired promptly. Do not ignore the warning light, because the restraint system will not protect right-side occupants in a crash.

Tools that help

Tools we recommend are in the Auto Veteran shop on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Guidance is general and written for all OBD-II vehicles. Exact tests and values vary by model, so confirm the fault before replacing parts.

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