B0001 Driver front airbag first-stage firing circuit fault

Driver airbag first-stage circuit fault

B0001 in short

B0001 means the airbag computer found a fault in the driver's front airbag first-stage firing circuit. On Honda, B0001-13 means an open circuit or increased resistance there; GM ties B0001-1B to corrosion on some trucks and SUVs. The driver's airbag may not work properly, so have it checked soon and never probe airbag wiring yourself.

Modern driver airbags can fire in stages, and the airbag computer checks each stage's firing circuit every time the car starts. B0001 covers the driver's front airbag first stage; the two characters after the dash (the failure type) say what kind of fault was found.

On 2012–2014 Civics, Honda told dealers to replace the driver's airbag module when B0001-13 is stored, and Honda dealer readouts describe B0001-13 as an open or increased resistance in the driver airbag's first inflator. One Civic owner reports the dealer replacing the cable reel (clockspring) instead. GM's 21-NA-005 replaces the driver airbag and its harness for B0001-1B caused by corrosion on 2020–2023 full-size pickups and SUVs, Blazer and Acadia.

Whatever the make, airbag diagnosis is dealer or trained-technician work.

Most likely causes

  1. Driver airbag module (inflator) fault

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Honda's dealer message replaces the driver's airbag module when B0001-13 is stored on 2012–2014 Civics.
    What would change this
    Rises on a Civic with B0001-13. Falls if the open is in the cable reel or wiring.

  2. Corrosion in the driver airbag or its harness (GM trucks and SUVs)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    GM's 21-NA-005 replaces the air bag and air bag harness for B0001-1B caused by corrosion.
    What would change this
    Rises on a covered GM truck or SUV with B0001-1B. Falls on other makes.

  3. Cable reel (clockspring) in the steering column

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    One Honda dealer readout quoted in a complaint replaced the cable reel for B0001-13; a single report, so it needs testing.
    What would change this
    Rises if the airbag module tests good. Falls if a new airbag module clears the code.

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

  1. Have the airbag codes read with a scan tool that can talk to the airbag module, and note the full code including the characters after the dash.

    Low riskTool: scan tool with airbag (SRS) access

    • IfB0001-13 on a Honda

      It meansHonda reads this as open or increased resistance in the driver airbag first stage.

      Go to step 2

    • IfB0001-1B on a GM truck or SUV

      It meansGM's corrosion bulletin may apply.

      Go to step 2

    • IfOther airbag codes are stored as well

      It meansA technician should work through them in the order the service manual gives.

      Go to step 3

  2. Give your VIN to the dealer and ask about airbag bulletins and open recalls for the driver's airbag.

    Low risk

    • IfA bulletin or recall applies

      It meansThe dealer repairs it under that procedure.

      Go to step 3

    • IfNothing applies

      It meansThe circuit still needs a diagnosis.

      Go to step 3

  3. Have a dealer or trained technician run the airbag system diagnosis from the service manual.

    Best left to a shopTool: maker's diagnostic tool

    Warning:Never probe airbag connectors or wiring with a test light or meter, and never unplug them yourself. Nissan warns that airbags and pretensioners can still deploy after the ignition is off, and that test equipment must not be used on airbag circuits unless the service manual calls for it. Leave this to a dealer or trained technician.

Symptoms

  • Airbag warning light stays on after the engine starts

How to fix

This is a safety-critical system, so we explain the code but don't give repair steps. Have it inspected by a qualified technician.

Parts and cost context

  • Driver airbag module:Check for recalls or bulletins first. Airbag replacement is dealer or trained-technician work. Labour varies; get a quote.
  • Driver airbag harness (GM):GM's 21-NA-005 replaces it with the airbag for corrosion. Dealer work. Labour varies; get a quote.

Labor varies by vehicle and shop; get a quote before you approve a repair.

Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuide

On your vehicle

Honda

  • 2012–2014 · Civic

    Supported by vehicle data

    Honda told dealers to replace the driver's airbag module when B0001-13 is stored. Whether the message is still current is not verified.

Chevrolet

  • 2020–2023 · Silverado 1500

    Supported by vehicle data

    GM's 21-NA-005 replaces the air bag and harness for B0001-1B caused by corrosion. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 2020–2023 · Tahoe

    Supported by vehicle data

    GM's 21-NA-005 replaces the air bag and harness for B0001-1B caused by corrosion. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 21-NA-005Status unverified

    Airbag malfunction indicator with B0001-1B due to corrosion

    2020–2023silverado-1500, silverado-2500, tahoe, suburban, blazer · issued · NHTSA 10239112

    Replace the air bag and air bag harness. Also covers GMC Sierra, Yukon and Acadia and Cadillac Escalade.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • B0020Airbag firing circuit fault, usually the driver-side seat airbag (varies by maker)

    Same system Possible — needs testing

    B0020 is another airbag deployment circuit code; on Honda it covers the driver's side airbag inflator.

  • B1346Driver airbag (first stage) circuit resistance too high (Kia, Hyundai)

    Same system Possible — needs testing

    On Kia and Hyundai, B1346 is the comparable code for high resistance in the driver airbag first stage.

All Airbags and seat-belt restraints (SRS) codes

B0001 questions

What does the -13 or -1B after B0001 mean?

It is the failure type. Honda describes B0001-13 as an open circuit or increased resistance in the driver airbag first stage; GM's bulletin ties B0001-1B to corrosion.

Sources and review

  1. 2023 Accord Owner's Manual: Airbag System Indicators — American Honda Motor Co.
  2. Camry Owner's Manual (OM06291U) — Toyota
  3. Honda dealer message: SRS lamp with DTC 11-1X, 11-2X or B0001-13, replace the driver's airbag module — American Honda Motor Co. ,
  4. GM 21-NA-005: airbag malfunction indicator with DTC B0001-1B due to corrosion, replace air bag and air bag harness — General Motors ,
  5. NHTSA complaint ODI 11339008 (2015 Honda Civic) — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
  6. NHTSA complaint ODI 10897401 (2013 Honda Civic) — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
  7. Nissan Supplemental Restraint Systems: damage analysis and repair using Diagnostic Trouble Codes (TechNews, Summer 2016) — Nissan North America ,
  8. Dealer message: 2018–2020 Accord and 2019–2020 CR-V with SRS light and DTC B0020-13 or B0028-13 — American Honda Motor Co. / NHTSA ,
  9. Kia TSB ELE218 (rev. 1): clockspring replacement for airbag warning light on, DTC B1346/B1481 — Kia America ,
  10. NHTSA complaint ODI 11232061 (2014 Honda Civic) — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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