B0015: Driver seat belt pretensioner firing circuit fault

Driver seat belt pretensioner deployment loop / Service Air Bag light

Severity: Inspect soon

The air bag computer cannot confirm the driver seat belt pretensioner circuit, so the belt may not tighten in a crash. When B0015 appears together with a deployment-commanded code, owners report the belt has already fired and the parts need replacing.

It gets more serious if:

Stop: Stop if B0052 (deployment commanded) is stored with B0015, the belt locked or retracted hard on its own, or the light is on after a collision. Nissan service material notes some air bag codes mean parts have deployed and must be replaced.

Safety-critical system: explanation only, no DIY steps. Source: how we rate severity

B0015 in short

On Chevrolet and GMC vehicles, B0015 means the air bag computer found a fault in the firing circuit of the driver seat belt pretensioner. Wiring under the seat, a loose connector or the pretensioner itself are the usual causes. The belt may not tighten in a crash, so have it checked soon. If a belt fired, do not drive.

A seat belt pretensioner is a small charge that pulls the belt tight in a crash. The air bag computer (sensing and diagnostic module) watches its firing circuit for an open, a short or a resistance outside the normal window and sets B0015 for the driver side. The passenger side is B0022, and the two are often stored together.

GM service information for a Saab 9-4x lists corroded terminals, loose connectors, a damaged harness, a faulty pretensioner and improperly seated connector retainers as causes. GM bulletins add pretensioner wiring pinched against the seat frame (2009-2010 Impala) and wiring under the seat touching the power seat motor (2010 Equinox).

The code can also be a result rather than a cause. Owners of a 2010 Yukon XL and a 2012 Silverado report B0015 stored with B0052 (deployment commanded) after the belts fired, one in a crash and one with no collision. GM also notes the code names are displayed differently on some Impala models, so which pretensioner is meant depends on the vehicle.

Pick your make

B0015 is a manufacturer-specific code: its meaning depends on who built the car.

Other makes: meaning not verified. Check with a scan tool that reads manufacturer definitions.

Most likely causes

Cause 1: Pretensioner wiring pinched, out of position or rubbing under the seat
Supported by vehicle data
Why it ranks here
GM bulletins describe a pretensioner harness pinched against the seat frame (2009-2010 Impala) and wiring under the driver seat contacting the power seat motor with an open power seat fuse (2010 Equinox). These are unverified summaries.
What would change this
Rises if the light comes and goes with seat movement or the power seat also fails. Falls if the harness is clear of the seat frame and the seat works normally.
Cause 2: Loose, corroded or poorly seated connector, or a missing connector retainer
Supported by vehicle data
Why it ranks here
GM's bulletin 08-09-41-002H covers intermittent air bag lights with B0015 among the listed codes and prescribes reseating the connector and checking or replacing the CPA retainer. GM service information for the Saab 9-4x lists corroded terminals and improperly seated retainers.
What would change this
Rises if the fault is intermittent and a dealer finds a loose or corroded connector. Falls if connectors and retainers are fully seated and clean.
Cause 3: Faulty pretensioner (high resistance in the unit)
Supported by vehicle data
Why it ranks here
On a 2011 Acadia a dealer tested the circuits good, found excessive resistance in both front anchor pretensioners with B0015 and B0022 stored, and quoted replacing both with new connectors. GM service information also lists a faulty pretensioner as a cause. One owner readout, so this ranks below the wiring causes.
What would change this
Rises if the wiring and connectors test good and the fault is a steady high resistance. Falls if the fault clears after the wiring or connector is repaired.
Cause 4: The pretensioner has already fired (crash or unexpected deployment)
Supported by vehicle data
Why it ranks here
Two owners report B0015 stored with B0052 (deployment commanded) after belts fired: a 2010 Yukon XL in a crash with an open driver loop, and a 2012 Silverado at about 5 mph with no collision. A fired pretensioner leaves an open loop and has to be replaced.
What would change this
Rises if B0052 is stored, the belt is locked tight, or there was a bang and burning smell. Falls if there is no B0052 and the belt moves normally.

What to test first

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

Step 1: Have the air bag codes read with a scan tool that shows the symptom byte after B0015, and note every stored code, especially B0052 and B0022.
Low riskTool: scan tool with airbag (SRS) access
- IfB0052 (deployment commanded) is stored, the belt is locked tight, or there was a bang with the light
  It meansThe pretensioner has probably fired; the belt and module need replacing and the car should not be relied on.
  Points to: The pretensioner has already fired (crash or unexpected deployment)
- IfB0015 with B0022, or B0014, and the light comes and goes
  It meansA shared wiring or connector fault under the seats is likely.
  Go to step 2
- IfB0015 alone or steady
  It meansWiring, connector and pretensioner all need checking.
  Go to step 2
Step 2: Ask a Chevrolet or GMC dealer whether your VIN falls under a bulletin for B0015, such as the Impala pretensioner harness bulletin or the Equinox power seat harness bulletin.
Low risk
- IfA seat harness bulletin applies to your model
  It meansThe wiring under the seat is the documented first check.
  Points to: Pretensioner wiring pinched, out of position or rubbing under the seat
- IfNothing applies
  It meansThe circuit needs a full diagnosis.
  Go to step 3
Step 3: Have a dealer or trained technician run the air bag circuit diagnosis from the service manual, including connector inspection and loop resistance at the pretensioner.
Best left to a shopTool: maker's diagnostic tool and multimeter
Warning:Airbags and seat belt pretensioners can still fire for about three minutes after the battery is disconnected, and test lights or meters on airbag circuits can set them off. Never unplug, probe or test airbag wiring yourself; leave this to a dealer or trained technician.
- IfWiring is pinched, rubbed or damaged under the seat
  It meansThe harness is repaired or replaced.
  Points to: Pretensioner wiring pinched, out of position or rubbing under the seat
- IfA connector is loose, corroded or its retainer is missing
  It meansThe connection is repaired.
  Points to: Loose, corroded or poorly seated connector, or a missing connector retainer
- IfWiring and connectors test good but resistance at the pretensioner is high
  It meansThe pretensioner is replaced.
  Points to: Faulty pretensioner (high resistance in the unit)

Symptoms

Air bag (SIR) light on, or a "Service Air Bag" message
Air bag light that comes and goes, sometimes with seat movement
Driver power seat stops working with the light on (2010 Equinox bulletin)
Seat belt locked tight or retracted hard with a bang, with B0052 stored Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

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 belt pretensioner, seat wiring and connector: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

2009–2012 · Impala
Supported by vehicle data
Several GM bulletins cover Impala pretensioner codes: two pretensioners per front seat, a pretensioner harness pinched against the seat frame, and displayed code names that can be wrong. Whether they are still current is not verified.
2010 · Equinox
Supported by vehicle data
GM's bulletin says B0014 and B0015 can come with an open power seat fuse when wiring under the seat touches the power seat motor. Whether it is still current is not verified.
2012 · Silverado 1500
Possible — needs testing
One 2012 owner reports B0015, B0022 and B0052 stored after the seat belts fired at about 5 mph with no collision, and a shop saying the control unit logged a collision. A single report, not a confirmed pattern.

PIC5396AStatus unverified
Impala pretensioner codes: two pretensioners per front seat
2009–2011impala · NHTSA 10112574
The Impala has a pretensioner at the retractor and one at the belt anchor for each front seat, which matters when B001A, B001B, B0015 or B0022 is set.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
PIC-5641Status unverified
Impala: displayed definitions for B0015, B001A, B0022, B001B can be incorrect
2012impala · NHTSA 10043633
The code names shown for the driver and passenger pretensioners may not match the actual pretensioner.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
15-NA-074Status unverified
Seatbelt pretensioner harness out of position, air bag light on
2009–2010impala · NHTSA 10190386
B001A, B001B, B0014, B0015, B0021 and B0022 may be caused by the pretensioner harness pinched against the seat frame, or by poor connector terminal contact, misalignment or corrosion.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
PIT4898CStatus unverified
Driver power seat inoperative and/or intermittent SIR light
2010equinox · NHTSA 10114685
B0014 and/or B0015 may be stored with the PWR SEAT LT fuse open; inspect the harness under the seat for contact with the power seat motor and repair damaged wires.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
08-09-41-002H (chevrolet)Status unverified
Intermittent air bag light: inspect and replace connector position assurance retainer
2007–2014silverado-1500, traverse · NHTSA 10137623
Terminal replacement or connector reseating, plus inspecting or replacing the CPA retainer at the air bag for the set code.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

GMC

2010 · Yukon XL
Possible — needs testing
One 2010 owner reports B0015:04, B0022:04 and B0052:00 stored after a crash in which the air bags and belts did not work as expected. A single report.
2011 · Acadia
Possible — needs testing
One 2011 dealer readout found B0015 and B0022 with circuits good and high resistance in both front anchor pretensioners, and recommended replacing them and the CPA connectors. A single report.

08-09-41-002H (gmc)Status unverified
Intermittent air bag light: inspect and replace connector position assurance retainer
2007–2014acadia, yukon-xl · NHTSA 10137623
Terminal replacement or connector reseating, plus inspecting or replacing the CPA retainer at the air bag for the set code.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

All Airbags and seat-belt restraints (SRS) codes

B0015 questions

Does B0015 mean the same thing on every car?

No. The generic table gives no definition. On GM vehicles it points to the driver seat belt pretensioner, but which pretensioner depends on the model, and GM says the displayed name is wrong on some Impalas. This page covers Chevrolet and GMC only.

Can I drive with B0015 set?

The car will drive, but the driver belt may not tighten in a crash, so have it checked soon. If the belt fired or locked, or B0052 is stored, do not rely on the car.

Sources and review

DTC B0015, B001A, B001B or B0022, Saab 9-4x 2011 airbag (SRS) fault diagnosis — General Motors / Saab Automobile
Nissan Supplemental Restraint Systems: damage analysis and repair using diagnostic trouble codes (Nissan TechNews, Summer 2016) — Nissan North America
NHTSA complaint 11661872 (2010 GMC Yukon XL) — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (consumer complaint)
NHTSA complaint 11383669 (2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500) — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (consumer complaint)
GM bulletin 15-NA-074 (NHTSA 10190386) — General Motors (NHTSA manufacturer communication)
GM bulletin PIT4898C (NHTSA 10114685) — General Motors (NHTSA manufacturer communication)
GM bulletin 08-09-41-002H (NHTSA 10137623) — General Motors (NHTSA manufacturer communication)
NHTSA complaint 11089727 (2011 GMC Acadia) — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (consumer complaint)
GM bulletin PIC5396A (NHTSA 10112574) — General Motors (NHTSA manufacturer communication)
GM bulletin PIC-5641 (NHTSA 10043633) — General Motors (NHTSA manufacturer communication)

Last reviewed: October 16, 2026
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

Severity: Inspect soon

Pick your make

Most likely causes

Cause 1: Pretensioner wiring pinched, out of position or rubbing under the seat

Cause 2: Loose, corroded or poorly seated connector, or a missing connector retainer

Cause 3: Faulty pretensioner (high resistance in the unit)

Cause 4: The pretensioner has already fired (crash or unexpected deployment)

What to test first

Step 1: Have the air bag codes read with a scan tool that shows the symptom byte after B0015, and note every stored code, especially B0052 and B0022.

Step 2: Ask a Chevrolet or GMC dealer whether your VIN falls under a bulletin for B0015, such as the Impala pretensioner harness bulletin or the Equinox power seat harness bulletin.

Step 3: Have a dealer or trained technician run the air bag circuit diagnosis from the service manual, including connector inspection and loop resistance at the pretensioner.