B0020
Airbag firing circuit fault, usually the driver-side seat airbag (varies by maker)
Severity: Inspect soonAirbags and seat-belt restraints (SRS) codes
The supplemental restraint system fires the airbags and seat-belt pretensioners in a crash. Its control module checks the igniter circuits, crash sensors, seat-belt buckle switches and, on newer cars, the front-passenger occupant sensor every time the car starts. US rules require a readiness light that tells the driver when the system cannot vouch for itself; when that light stays on, airbags may not deploy in a crash.
How these codes differ
- Deployment-loop codes are about an airbag or pretensioner igniter circuit: resistance too high or too low, or a short to ground or to battery voltage. They often trace to a connector under a seat or the clock spring behind the steering wheel rather than to the airbag itself. These circuits fire the airbags, so they are for trained technicians only.
- Sensor codes cover the crash sensors (front and side impact sensors) and the seat-belt buckle switches. A sensor fault can mean the module cannot decide whether or how hard to fire some of the restraints.
- Occupant classification codes concern the sensor in the front passenger seat that decides whether the passenger airbag should be suppressed for a child or an empty seat. US rules give that decision its own PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light, separate from the readiness light, so the two lights mean different things.
- Module codes (internal fault, crash data stored, low or high supply voltage) concern the restraint module itself.
- Most SRS codes are B codes, and many are manufacturer-specific (B1xxx and B2xxx), so the exact meaning depends on the make. This is a safety-critical system: the right next step is a professional diagnosis, not a home repair.
Airbags and seat-belt restraints (SRS) codes
B0081
Passenger presence (seat occupant sensing) system fault
Severity: Inspect soonB00A0
Occupant classification sensor or control unit fault
Severity: Inspect soonB0111
Side airbag firing circuit open (Toyota, Lexus)
Severity: Inspect soonB1018
Passenger seat occupant sensor mat malfunction (Nissan)
Severity: Inspect soonB1342
Control module internal fault (Ford, Lincoln)
Severity: Inspect soonB1448
Front passenger seat occupant sensor mat fault (Kia)
Severity: Inspect soonB0001
Driver front airbag first-stage firing circuit fault
Severity: Inspect soonB0014
Driver seat side airbag deployment loop fault
Severity: Inspect soonB0074
Passenger presence sensor circuit fault
Severity: Inspect soonB1346
Driver airbag (first stage) circuit resistance too high (Kia, Hyundai)
Severity: Inspect soonB1378
Driver side airbag circuit resistance too high (Suzuki, Kia)
Severity: Inspect soonB1382
Passenger side airbag circuit resistance too high (Suzuki, Hyundai, Kia)
Severity: Inspect soonB141B
Second-row inflatable seat belt deployment circuit fault (Ford)
Severity: Inspect soonB141C
Second-row inflatable seat belt deployment circuit fault (Ford)
Severity: Inspect soonB1650
Occupant detection/classification system malfunction (Subaru, Toyota)
Severity: Inspect soonB1760
Occupant detection system sensor mat abnormal (Subaru)
Severity: Inspect soonB1764
BodySense passenger occupant mat defect (Kia)
Severity: Inspect soonB1801
Driver airbag (D squib) circuit open (Toyota)
Severity: Inspect soonB1B02
Driver airbag squib 1 circuit open (Jeep)
Severity: Inspect soonB0022
Front seat belt pretensioner circuit fault (varies by maker)
Severity: Inspect soonB0028
Right side airbag firing circuit open or high resistance (Honda, Chrysler, Ram)
Severity: Inspect soonB0092
Passenger presence system (seat occupant sensing) circuit fault (GM)
Severity: Inspect soonB0116
Side airbag firing circuit open (Toyota)
Severity: Inspect soonB1312
Passenger seat occupant sensing fault, occupancy mat or module (Suzuki)
Severity: Inspect soonB1481
Driver airbag circuit resistance too high, second stage (Hyundai, Kia)
Severity: Inspect soonB1701
Front seat belt buckle (pretensioner) circuit resistance too high (Hyundai)
Severity: Inspect soonB1861
Driver side knee airbag circuit open (Lexus)
Severity: Inspect soonB0026
GM frontal airbag deployment loop fault
Severity: Inspect soonB1049
Nissan driver airbag module circuit open
Severity: Inspect soonB1054
Nissan driver airbag circuit open
Severity: Inspect soonB1318
Suzuki passenger seat occupant sensing fault
Severity: Inspect soonB1490
Hyundai occupant classification system fault
Severity: Inspect soonB1620
Hyundai airbag control module internal fault
Severity: Inspect soonB1B06
Jeep driver airbag squib 2 circuit open
Severity: Inspect soonB0012
Fault in the passenger-side front airbag firing circuit (resistance low)
Severity: Inspect soonB1129
Right side airbag module circuit fault (Nissan and Infiniti)
Severity: Inspect soonB1134
Front left side airbag module circuit open (Nissan and Infiniti)
Severity: Inspect soonB0041
Airbag deployment loop open, left front (driver-side) side airbag circuit (Chevrolet)
Severity: Inspect soonB1022
Occupant sensor control unit fault in the passenger seat (Nissan)
Severity: Inspect soonB1821
Open side airbag (squib) circuit, driver seat side (Toyota)
Severity: Inspect soonB1881
Passenger seat belt pretensioner circuit open or high resistance (Ford and Mazda)
Severity: Inspect soonB1C29
Left side seat thorax airbag squib 1 circuit open (Dodge)
Severity: Inspect soonB2290
Occupant classification system fault, front passenger seat (Mercury)
Severity: Inspect soonB2292
Seat belt pretensioner circuit fault (Ford)
Severity: Inspect soonB0052
Airbag computer logged a deployment command (Chevrolet and GMC)
Severity: Inspect soonB0085
GM left front side impact sensor circuit fault
Severity: Inspect soonB1495
Belt tension sensor defect in the passenger occupant detection system (Hyundai and Kia)
Severity: Inspect soonB1513
Passenger seat belt buckle switch circuit open or shorted to battery voltage (Hyundai and Kia)
Severity: Inspect soonB0013
Driver steering wheel air bag, stage 2 firing circuit fault
Severity: Inspect soonB0015
Driver seat belt pretensioner firing circuit fault
Severity: Inspect soon
Sources and review
- 49 CFR 571.208, Standard No. 208: Occupant crash protection
- 2003 Acura MDX Owner's Manual: Instruments and Controls, indicator lights
- Diagnostic Trouble Codes Explained: How to Manage DTCs
- 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