With today's car designs, this isn't uncommon. Look for the detailed instructions from or call the customer service dept of the transponder provider for alternative location placements. Here in California, the transponders can be anywhere in the front dash or windshield (up, down, right, left). I've even had mine in my center console cupholder and it works just fine. The range that the transponders are detected in is much bigger than than the initial instructions lead one to believe.