B0012 Fault in the passenger-side front airbag firing circuit (resistance low)

Passenger frontal airbag deployment loop fault / SIR light on

B0012 in short

B0012 means the airbag computer found a fault in the passenger-side front airbag firing circuit, with the circuit reading too low in the Saab/GM wording. GM bulletins tie it to loose connectors, a damaged shorting bar or chafed steering wheel wiring. The airbag may not work, so have it checked soon.

The airbag computer tests each firing circuit by measuring its resistance. On the Saab service information B0012 sets when the passenger frontal circuit (stage 2) reads below 1.3 ohm for 0.6 seconds with the ignition on. The airbag light comes on and the computer treats the system as not working.

GM bulletins list B0012 with B0013 and other deployment-loop codes and often trace it to a connector that is loose, missing its lock or broken, or to a shorting bar that has been damaged. One GM bulletin says a damaged shorting bar in the steering wheel airbag module can set B0012 or B0013, and a 2008-2009 special coverage covers steering wheel coil wires that chafe on the horn plate.

The wording of this code varies by maker, so your scan tool text may differ. Treat it as an airbag circuit fault and let a technician read the symptom byte and run the service manual procedure.

Most likely causes

  1. Loose, unseated or damaged airbag connector or terminal

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    GM bulletin SB-08-09-41-002C covers intermittent SIR lights with B0012 and similar codes and names a loose, missing or broken connector; Saab service information also says to check connectors for corrosion and pushed-back pins.
    What would change this
    Rises if the light comes and goes or a technician finds a connector lock missing or a terminal pushed back. Falls if connectors are fully seated and tight.

  2. Damaged shorting bar in the airbag module connector

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    GM bulletin PIC5702 says B0012 or B0013 with symptom byte 0E on the 2012 Cruze and Verano can come from a damaged shorting bar in the steering wheel airbag module, and GM SB-09-09-41-004 covers similar codes on several models.
    What would change this
    Rises if the symptom byte is 0E (low resistance) on the listed models. Falls if the module and its connector are undamaged.

  3. Steering wheel coil (clockspring) wiring chafed or damaged

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    GM special coverage 14314 says coil wires to the driver airbag can chafe on the steering wheel horn plate on 2008-2009 Cobalt, G5, Solstice, Sky and HHR SS. It covers the driver side, so it is context rather than proof for a passenger circuit code.
    What would change this
    Rises only if a technician finds damaged wiring on the circuit named by the code. Falls if the circuit reads normal.

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 shows the symptom byte after B0012, and note every code stored.

    Low riskTool: scan tool with airbag (SRS) access

    • IfB0013 or other deployment-loop codes are stored with it

      It meansGM groups these loop faults and diagnoses them together.

      Go to step 2

    • IfB0012 is the only code

      It meansA technician should still run the circuit diagnosis.

      Go to step 2

  2. Have a dealer or trained technician run the airbag circuit 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. Leave this to a dealer or trained technician.

Symptoms

  • Airbag (SIR) light on, or a "Service Air Bag" message
  • Airbag light that comes and goes

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

  • Airbag connector, shorting bar or steering wheel coil:Dealer or trained-technician work only. 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

Chevrolet

  • 2012 · Cruze

    Supported by vehicle data

    GM bulletin PIC5702 says B0012 or B0013 with symptom byte 0E may come from a damaged shorting bar in the steering wheel airbag module. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 2004–2005 · Malibu

    Supported by vehicle data

    GM bulletin 3159C covers a SIR light with B0012.0E and B0013.0E on the 2004-2005 Malibu. Only the summary was read.

  • 3159C (chevrolet)Status unverified

    SIR light on with B0012.0E and B0013.0E

    2004–2005malibu, malibu-maxx · NHTSA 10010287

    GM bulletin for a 2004-2005 Malibu, Malibu Maxx and G6 with these codes. Only the NHTSA summary was read, so the repair is not stated.

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

  • PIC5702 (chevrolet)Status unverified

    SIR light on, B0012 or B0013 with symptom byte 0E

    2012cruze · NHTSA 10045339

    A damaged shorting bar in the steering wheel airbag module may be the cause.

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

  • SB-08-09-41-002C (chevrolet)Status unverified

    Intermittent SIR light with B0012, B0013 and other loop codes

    2005–2009avalanche, cobalt, corvette, equinox, express, hhr, impala, malibu, malibu-classic, malibu-maxx, monte-carlo, silverado, ssr, suburban, tahoe, trailblazer, traverse · NHTSA 10029924

    Covers a loose, missing or broken connector in the airbag circuits.

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

Cadillac

  • 2015 · ATS

    Supported by vehicle data

    GM preliminary bulletin PI1474 covers the airbag light with B0012 or B0013 on the 2015 ATS (and CTS).

  • SB-08-09-41-002C (cadillac)Status unverified

    Intermittent SIR light with B0012, B0013 and other loop codes

    2006–2009cts, dts, escalade, escalade-esv, escalade-ext, srx, sts, xlr · NHTSA 10029924

    Covers a loose, missing or broken connector in the airbag circuits.

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

  • PI1474Status unverified

    Air bag light on with B0012 or B0013

    2015ats, cts · NHTSA 10113629

    Preliminary information for a 2015 ATS and CTS. The NHTSA summary does not state the repair.

    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

    GM bulletin SB-08-09-41-002C lists B0012 and B0020 together as deployment-loop codes with the same connector-related causes.

All Airbags and seat-belt restraints (SRS) codes

B0012 questions

Is it safe to drive with B0012?

The car drives normally, but the passenger front airbag may not deploy. Have it checked soon, and do not touch the airbag wiring yourself.

Can I clear B0012 myself?

Clearing the code does not fix the fault. If the circuit is still faulty the code and light come back.

Sources and review

  1. 2023 Accord Owner's Manual: Airbag System Indicators — American Honda Motor Co.
  2. Camry Owner's Manual (OM06291U) — Toyota
  3. DTC B0014, B0021, B0031 or B0038 (2011 Saab 9-4X workshop manual, airbag/SRS) — General Motors / Saab Automobile
  4. GM SB-08-09-41-002C intermittent SIR indicator with B0012 and other deployment loop codes — NHTSA (manufacturer communication)
  5. B0012 0E, passenger frontal deployment circuit (stage 2) resistance low (9-3 service information) — GM / Saab service information, read via saabwisonline.com
  6. GM PIC5702 SIR light with B0012 or B0013 symptom byte 0E — NHTSA (manufacturer communication)
  7. GM SB-09-09-41-004 air bag indicator on, B0012 or B0013 stored — NHTSA (manufacturer communication)
  8. GM special coverage 14314 steering wheel airbag coil wires — NHTSA (manufacturer communication)
  9. GM PI1474 air bag indicator with B0012 or B0013 — NHTSA (manufacturer communication)
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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