Where is the SRS module located? Guide by car brand
Looking for the SRS airbag module in your car? Check the exact location for VW, BMW, Mercedes, Ford, Opel, Toyota, Renault and other brands.
Before you send us an SRS module for repair, you first need to find it and remove it from the car. The problem is that manufacturers don't follow a single standard - in one brand the controller sits under the centre console, in another under a seat, and in yet another behind the dashboard. We've compiled the exact locations for the most popular brands so you don't have to search blindly.
Why does the SRS module location differ between brands?
The SRS module (Supplemental Restraint System), also called the airbag controller or ACU (Airbag Control Unit), is the electronic controller that manages the airbags and seatbelt pretensioners. It is always mounted as close as possible to the centre of the vehicle, along its longitudinal axis. This allows the acceleration sensors built into the controller to precisely detect an impact regardless of which direction it comes from. That's the only rule shared by all manufacturers - everything else, meaning the exact mounting point, its height, and whether you access it from above or below, depends on the specific platform and the engineers who designed it.
So instead of searching at random, it's worth checking the exact location for your brand. Below you'll find the most commonly encountered mounting positions.
SRS module location by brand - quick reference
| Brand | Most common SRS module location |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, SEAT | Under the centre console, near the handbrake |
| BMW | Under or near the centre console |
| Mercedes-Benz | Under the centre console, at the selector base |
| Ford | Under the centre console or in the centre tunnel |
| Opel/Vauxhall | Under the centre console, around the handbrake |
| Toyota, Lexus | Under the centre console, between the seats |
| Renault, Dacia | Under the centre console or in the centre tunnel |
| Peugeot, Citroën | Under the centre console, near the handbrake |
| Kia, Hyundai | Under the centre console, beneath the gear lever |
Below we describe each brand in more detail, including access tips.
VW Group (Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, SEAT)
In most VW Group models the SRS module is located under the centre console, between the front seats, usually near the handbrake lever or the armrest. To reach it, you need to remove the console trim - in newer models sometimes the armrest as well. In some cars (for example older Audi A4 and A6) the module sits slightly further forward, closer to the centre tunnel under the carpet.
BMW
In BMW the SRS module is usually mounted under or near the centre console, depending on the series and generation. It's worth remembering that in BMW a frequent source of problems isn't the module itself, but the yellow connector under the driver's or passenger's seat linking the side airbag to the wiring - we covered this problem in more detail in our article on airbag warning light causes. Before you start looking for the controller itself, check that connector first, as it's the culprit more often than the module.
Mercedes-Benz
In Mercedes cars the SRS module (referred to by the manufacturer as part of the Restraint Control system) is most often located under the centre console, right at the base of the gearbox or selector lever. In some older-generation C-Class and E-Class models it may also sit closer to the front of the tunnel, under a cover near the pedals.
Ford
In Fords (Focus, Fiesta, Mondeo, Kuga) the SRS module usually sits under the centre console, close to the gear lever or handbrake. In some models, particularly older Focus generations, the module is mounted slightly lower, in the centre tunnel beneath the floor covering.
Opel/Vauxhall
In Opel and Vauxhall cars (Astra, Insignia, Corsa) the airbag controller is most often found under the centre console, around the handbrake area. Access usually requires removing the plastic console trim and detaching the handbrake lever.
Toyota and Lexus
In Toyota and Lexus models the SRS module (called the "Airbag Sensor Assembly") is usually mounted under the centre console, between the seats, sometimes just underneath the radio or climate control unit. In some models you can only reach it after removing the entire console.
Renault and Dacia
In Renault and Dacia cars the module is most often located under the centre console or in the centre tunnel, close to the gear lever. In older models (for example Renault Clio and Megane II) it may sit lower, under the floor covering.
Peugeot and Citroën
In Stellantis group models (Peugeot, Citroën) the SRS module usually sits under the centre console, near the manual or electronic handbrake. In some models access requires removing the whole console from the gear lever downwards.
Kia and Hyundai
In Kia and Hyundai the module is most often located under the centre console, directly beneath the tunnel, around the gear lever area. Access tends to be easier than in other brands, as you usually only need to remove the console trim without dismantling the seats.
What if your brand isn't on the list?
The locations above cover the typical, most commonly encountered setups - but within a single brand they can differ between generations and platforms. If you didn't find your brand on the list, or the description doesn't match your car, here are some universal tips:
- The module is always located in the centre of the vehicle, along its longitudinal axis - never off to one side.
- It's a small metal or plastic box, roughly the size of a smartphone, with a multi-pin connector attached.
- The most common locations are: under the centre console, under one of the front seats, in the centre tunnel, or behind the lower part of the dashboard.
- It's worth searching online for "[brand and model] SRS module location" - for popular cars there are plenty of model-specific guides and instructional videos.
Once you've located and removed the module, the next step is reading the part number from its label - we covered that in detail, with examples for different brands, in our article on how to find the SRS module part number.
Safety first
Before you start removing the SRS module, keep the basic safety rules in mind:
- Disconnect the battery and wait at least 10 minutes so the capacitors in the module can discharge.
- Never work on airbag components with the ignition on.
- If you don't feel confident doing the removal yourself, ask a mechanic for help - and send the module to us either way.
Summary
The SRS module location depends on the brand and model, but in most cars you'll find it under the centre console, under one of the front seats, or in the centre tunnel. Knowing the exact mounting point saves time and frustration, especially if you're doing this for the first time. Once the module is out, all you need to do is read the part number and check the repair price in the module checker on autosterowniki.pl.
Having trouble finding the module in your car? Message us on WhatsApp - tell us the make, model and year, and we'll point you to exactly where to look.