The Vehicle Modification Station Lets You Upgrade Submarines and Seamoths at Specific Locations

The Vehicle Modification Station is a fabricator-style machine in Subnautica that upgrades your submarines and Seamoths with better engines, larger storage, and defensive upgrades. You cannot build one yourself — instead, you find and use existing stations placed in the game world at fixed locations. Each station works on one vehicle type at a time, and you need the correct upgrade modules and resources in your inventory to complete the modification.

The station functions like a regular fabricator: you approach it, open its menu, select an upgrade from the list, and it consumes the materials required. The upgrade then attaches to your vehicle. Some upgrades are purely functional (faster engines, more storage), while others are defensive (torpedoes, decoys). You can install multiple upgrades on the same vehicle, but each one takes time and materials.

Key Takeaways

  • Vehicle Modification Stations are found in the Cyclops Docking Module (for Cyclops upgrades), the Aurora wreck, and the Moonpool (for Seamoth and Prawn Suit upgrades).
  • You need both the upgrade module blueprint and the raw materials — the station does not provide either, only the assembly service.
  • Each upgrade takes time to fabricate, and you must stay near the station or the process cancels.
  • Upgrades are permanent once installed and cannot be removed, so plan which ones you actually need before committing resources.

Where to Find Vehicle Modification Stations

The most accessible station is inside the Moonpool, which you can build in your base once you have the blueprint. The Moonpool contains a Vehicle Modification Station that works on Seamoths and Prawn Suits. This is the station you will use most often because you control when and where the Moonpool exists.

The Aurora wreck contains a Vehicle Modification Station in the cargo bay area. This station also works on Seamoths and Prawn Suits. The Aurora is dangerous — it has radiation, aggressive fauna, and fire hazards — so bring a radiation suit and prepare for combat or stealth.

The Cyclops Docking Module contains a station dedicated to Cyclops upgrades. You build the Docking Module as a base compartment, and the station inside allows you to modify your Cyclops. This is the only place to upgrade the Cyclops, so you must either build a base with a Docking Module or find another player's base that has one.

What Upgrades Are Available and What They Cost

Seamoth and Prawn Suit upgrades include engine modules (faster movement), depth modules (go deeper without taking damage), storage modules (more inventory space), and weapon modules (torpedoes and grappling arms). Each upgrade requires a specific blueprint and a set of raw materials — for example, a Seamoth Engine Module MK2 needs titanium, lithium, and a power cell.

Cyclops upgrades include engine modules, depth modules, shield generators (reduce incoming damage), and sonar upgrades. The Cyclops is slower than smaller vehicles, so engine upgrades are popular. Depth modules are critical because the Cyclops can reach very deep areas, and without them you take hull damage.

You must already know the blueprint for an upgrade before the station will let you build it. Blueprints come from scanning fragments in the world, completing certain story events, or finding them in wrecks. If an upgrade does not appear in the station menu, you have not yet learned its blueprint.

How to Use a Vehicle Modification Station

Park your vehicle next to the station — for Seamoths and Prawn Suits, this means docking them in the Moonpool or leaving them nearby. For the Cyclops, dock it in the Docking Module. Approach the station on foot and interact with it to open the menu.

The menu shows all upgrades you know the blueprint for. Select the upgrade you want. The station displays the materials it needs and how long the fabrication takes. Check your inventory to make sure you have everything. If you do, confirm the order and the station begins work.

You must remain in the area while the upgrade fabricates. If you swim away or enter a different area, the process stops and you lose the materials. Once fabrication finishes, the upgrade automatically installs on your vehicle. You can then order another upgrade or leave.

Upgrades Are Permanent — Plan Before You Build

Once an upgrade is installed, you cannot remove it or swap it for a different one. This means if you install a depth module and later decide you want a different one, you cannot undo it. You have to live with your choice or build a second vehicle.

Some players install multiple upgrades on the same vehicle (for example, two engine modules and a depth module on a Seamoth), while others prefer to keep vehicles specialized. There is no penalty for having many upgrades, but each one costs resources and time to build. Decide what role each vehicle will play before you start upgrading.

Storage modules are popular because they give you more inventory space without changing how the vehicle performs. Engine modules make vehicles faster but do not change their depth limit. Depth modules let you go deeper but do not make you faster. Weapon modules add combat capability but take up upgrade slots.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most common mistake is leaving the area while an upgrade is fabricating. If you swim away to gather more materials or explore, the station cancels the job and you lose what you put in. Always gather all materials before you start the upgrade process.

Another mistake is installing an upgrade without checking what it actually does. Read the description carefully — some upgrades have trade-offs. For example, some engine modules make you faster but use more power, so you need a better power cell to benefit from them.

Players also sometimes forget that the Cyclops station is only in the Docking Module. If you do not have a base with a Docking Module, you cannot upgrade your Cyclops. Plan ahead if you want to use the Cyclops for deep exploration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove an upgrade after I install it?

No. Upgrades are permanent. Once installed, they stay on the vehicle. If you want to try a different upgrade, you need to build a second vehicle or accept that you are stuck with your choice.

Do I need to be inside the vehicle while it upgrades?

No, but you must stay in the area. You can be outside the vehicle, but if you swim far away or enter a different zone, the upgrade process stops and you lose the materials.

What happens if I run out of power while an upgrade is installing?

The station itself does not require power — it works independently. Your vehicle's power does not affect the upgrade process. However, if your vehicle's power cell is empty, you cannot use the vehicle until you recharge it.

Can I upgrade a vehicle that is damaged?

Yes. Vehicle damage does not prevent upgrades. However, you should repair your vehicle first because damage reduces its effectiveness and can make exploration dangerous.

Where do I get the materials for upgrades?

Materials come from mining, harvesting plants, and breaking down items you do not need. For example, titanium comes from metal salvage in wrecks, and lithium comes from deep-sea mineral deposits. The station menu tells you what you need, and you gather it from the world like any other crafting material.