B0014 Driver seat side airbag deployment loop fault

Driver seat side airbag circuit fault

B0014 in short

B0014 means the airbag computer found a fault in the driver seat side airbag's firing circuit, such as an open, high resistance or a short. On GM vehicles it is often wiring stressed by seat movement or a poorly seated connector under the seat. That side airbag may not deploy, so have it checked soon; never probe airbag wiring yourself.

The side airbag in the driver's seat has a firing circuit, called a deployment loop, that the airbag computer (SDM) checks constantly. GM service information defines B0014 as a fault in that loop and uses the symptom byte after the code to say which: short to battery (01), short to ground (02), open (04), high resistance (0D, above 4.2 ohms) or low resistance (0E, below 1.4 ohms).

Because the wiring runs into a seat that moves, GM's diagnostic aids name harness stress from seat movement, plus unseated connectors, misinstalled connector locks, corrosion and loose terminals. GM bulletins match this: on the 2009 Impala, check for pinched or cut wires at the seat recliner hinge; on 2007–2008 Acadia and Enclave the fault may change with seat position; and the 2014–2015 Spark EV has a bulletin for B0014-04 (open).

Airbag circuit testing needs the service procedure, so leave diagnosis to a dealer or trained technician.

Most likely causes

  1. Seat airbag wiring pinched, cut or stressed by seat movement

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    GM service information names harness stress from seat movement; GM bulletins point to pinched wires at the recliner hinge on the Impala and a seat-position-related fault on the Acadia and Enclave, and an owner reports a broken wire under the driver's seat.
    What would change this
    Rises if the light comes and goes as the seat is moved. Falls if the fault is constant and the wiring is intact.

  2. Unseated connector, misinstalled connector lock, corrosion or loose terminal

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    GM's diagnostic aids list these as the usual causes of open, high-resistance and short-type deployment loop faults.
    What would change this
    Rises with symptom bytes 02 or 0E (connector shorting bar) or 04/0D (corrosion, loose terminal). Falls if all connectors are properly seated and clean.

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 B0014, and note every code stored.

    Low riskTool: scan tool with airbag (SRS) access

    • IfSymptom byte 04 or 0D

      It meansOpen or high resistance: GM points to wiring, terminals or connectors.

      Go to step 2

    • IfSymptom byte 02 or 0E

      It meansShort to ground or low resistance: GM points to unseated connectors or connector locks.

      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 2

  2. 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
  • Airbag light comes and goes as the driver's seat is moved

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 seat side airbag harness and connector:Under or inside the driver's seat. Dealer or trained-technician 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

Chevrolet

  • 2009 · Impala

    Supported by vehicle data

    GM's bulletin says to check for pinched or cut wires at the seat recliner hinge. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 2011 · Malibu

    Supported by vehicle data

    An owner reports a broken wire under the driver's seat behind B0014.

  • PIC-5186Status unverified

    Air bag lamp with B0014: check seat recliner wiring

    2009impala · issued · NHTSA 10032895

    If diagnosis leads to the left front seat side impact module, check for pinched or cut module wires at the seat recliner hinge.

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

  • 15NA072Status unverified

    Intermittent SIR indicator, B0014-04 driver seat side air bag deployment loop open

    2014–2015spark-ev · issued · NHTSA 10246530

    Repair information for B0014-04 on the Spark EV.

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

GMC

  • 2007–2008 · Acadia

    Supported by vehicle data

    GM's bulletin says the fault may be intermittent and change with seat position. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • PIT-4718Status unverified

    Air bag indicator on with B0014 and/or B0021

    2007–2008acadia · issued · NHTSA 10026707

    May be intermittent and affected by moving the seat. Also covers Buick Enclave.

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

  • PI1469Status unverified

    Service Air Bag message with B0014, B0021 or B001E

    2014–2015sierra-1500, yukon-xl · issued · NHTSA 10113623

    Symptom code 04 or 0D.

    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 GM deployment loop code; GM diagnoses these loop faults the same way.

All Airbags and seat-belt restraints (SRS) codes

B0014 questions

Why does the airbag light come and go when I move my seat?

GM says seat movement can stress the side airbag wiring, and its bulletins describe faults that change with seat position. Have a dealer inspect the wiring under the seat.

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 PIC-5186: air bag lamp with DTC B0014, check for pinched or cut module wires at the seat recliner hinge — General Motors ,
  5. GM PIT-4718: air bag indicator on with DTC B0014 and/or B0021, may change with seat position — General Motors ,
  6. NHTSA complaint ODI 10786536 (2011 Chevrolet Malibu) — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
  7. GM PI1469: Service Air Bag message with DTC B0014, B0021 or B001E, symptom code 04 or 0D — General Motors ,
  8. GM 15NA072: intermittent SIR indicator and/or DTC B0014-04 driver seat side air bag deployment loop open — General Motors ,
  9. Nissan Supplemental Restraint Systems: damage analysis and repair using Diagnostic Trouble Codes (TechNews, Summer 2016) — Nissan North America ,
  10. DTC B0019 or B0020: 2011 Saab 9-4X workshop information — Saab Automobile / General Motors
  11. NHTSA complaint ODI 11229091 (2014 Chevrolet Traverse) — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
Editorial review
Pending
Technician review
Technician review pending

This page explains what a code usually means; it is not a substitute for a professional inspection. How we source and review · Report an error

My Car

Pick your car and code pages will point out notes and bulletins for it. Saved only in this browser.

Fill this in from your VIN

Used once to identify your engine; not stored.