B1022 Occupant sensor control unit fault in the passenger seat (Nissan)

Occupant classification sensor control unit fault

B1022 in short

On Nissan, B1022 is stored by the occupant sensor control unit in the passenger seat, which tells the airbag computer whether and how someone is seated. Owners report a blinking airbag light and dealer quotes for the seat sensor. The passenger airbag may not work as intended, so book a dealer visit soon.

Nissan places an occupant classification system in the front passenger seat. Its control unit reports to the airbag computer, which uses the result to decide how the passenger airbag should act.

Nissan service information summarised by NHTSA groups B1017 to B1022 as occupant sensor control unit codes and sends technicians to the circuit diagnosis for them when B00A0 is also current. Owners of a 2009 Maxima and a 2013 Rogue report the dealer calling B1022 a passenger seat sensor fault, with the airbag light blinking.

Several owner complaints mention costly seat or sensor replacement. We have not found the repair that fits each vehicle, so the dealer needs to run the Nissan procedure before any part is ordered.

Pick your make

B1022 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

  1. Fault in the occupant sensor control unit or seat sensor

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Nissan service information in NHTSA 10192455 names the occupant sensor control unit diagnosis for B1017 to B1022, and dealers in owner complaints read B1022 as the occupant sensor failing.
    What would change this
    Rises if B00A0 or B1018 is stored with it. Falls if the unit communicates normally after a connector check.

  2. Seat connector or wiring problem

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    A communication failure reading was quoted for B1022 on an Infiniti G35, which can mean wiring as well as the unit, but no source here says it was a wiring fault.
    What would change this
    Rises if the code appears after the seat was moved or serviced. Falls if connectors are good.

What to test first

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

  1. Have the airbag or body codes read with a scan tool and note the exact code and any others.

    Low riskTool: scan tool with module access

  2. Give your VIN to a dealer and ask for any bulletin or recall on the system.

    Low risk

    • IfA bulletin applies

      It meansThe dealer follows it.

      Go to step 3

    • IfNothing applies

      It meansThe service manual diagnosis is next.

      Go to step 3

  3. Have a Nissan dealer run the occupant sensor control unit diagnosis and, if directed, the zero-point reset of the seat sensor.

    Best left to a shopTool: maker's diagnostic tool and service information

    Warning:Never probe airbag connectors or wiring with a test light or meter, and never unplug them yourself. Airbags and pretensioners can still fire with the ignition off. Leave this to a dealer or trained technician.

Symptoms

  • Airbag warning light blinks or stays on
  • Passenger airbag status indicator off or wrong

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

  • Passenger occupant sensor and seat assembly:Owners report dealer quotes for the sensor or the whole seat bottom. Which one is needed depends on the Nissan procedure. 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

Nissan

  • 2015

    Supported by vehicle data

    Nissan service information 14096 sends technicians to the B1017 to B1022 occupant sensor diagnosis when B00A0 is current. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 2009 · Maxima

    Supported by vehicle data

    An owner complaint quotes the dealer reading B1022 as an occupant classification sensor failure and quoting a new passenger seat.

  • 2013 · Rogue

    Supported by vehicle data

    An owner complaint reports B1018 and B1022 as the passenger seat sensor.

  • NTB14096Status unverified

    Nissan service information for B1017 to B1022 occupant sensor control unit codes

    2015armada, frontier, xterra · NHTSA 10192455

    The summary says that when B00A0 is current, follow the diagnosis for DTC B1017-B1022 (occupant sensor control unit).

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

  • B1018Passenger seat occupant sensor mat malfunction (Nissan)

    Same system Supported by vehicle data

    An owner complaint on a 2013 Rogue reports B1018 and B1022 together as the passenger seat sensor.

  • B00A0Occupant classification sensor or control unit fault

    Same system Supported by vehicle data

    Nissan service information sends technicians from a current B00A0 to the B1017 to B1022 occupant sensor diagnosis.

All Airbags and seat-belt restraints (SRS) codes

B1022 questions

Does B1022 mean the same on an Infiniti?

Infiniti complaints quote B1022 as an occupant sensor control unit fault too, and an owner links one to a recall, but we did not find an Infiniti bulletin, so this page covers Nissan only.

Sources and review

  1. Nissan NTB14096: Nissan service information for B1017 to B1022 occupant sensor control unit codes — NHTSA (manufacturer communication)
  2. NHTSA complaint ODI 11025141: Nissan Maxima 2009 — NHTSA (owner complaint)
  3. NHTSA complaint ODI 11289291: Nissan Rogue 2013 — NHTSA (owner complaint)
  4. NHTSA complaint ODI 11742306: Infiniti G35 2008 — NHTSA (owner complaint)
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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