Body, generic

B0015 Passenger Knee Airbag Deployment Control

Check engine lightUsually off
EmissionsNot relevant
Drive cycleNot required
Limp modeNo

B0015 does not appear in the public J2012 code lists, which assign the passenger knee airbag to B0013. Only General Motors documents the number, as the firing loop of the belt pretensioner built into the driver's retractor. In the Saab 9-4X 2011 manual this pretensioner shares one diagnostic page with B001A, the anchor pretensioner, and both trip when their loop stays outside the allowed resistance band or touches supply or ground for two seconds. On the 2009-11 Impala GM notes that B0015 points to the retractor pretensioner while a second pretensioner sits at the belt anchor (PIC5396A). On an Equinox, a wire under the power seat rubbing on the seat motor set B0014 and B0015 and blew the seat fuse (PIT4898C). A passenger knee airbag under this number is not publicly documented. The airbag lamp is on.

Likely causes

On GM vehicles loose or corroded connector at the driver belt pretensioner
Harness under the power seat rubbing on frame or seat motor (GM PIT4898C)
Internal fault in the pretensioner or airbag served by this loop

Symptoms

  • Airbag warning lamp on, sometimes intermittent
  • On GM, belt pretensioner may not fire; power seat may fail if the harness is shorted
  • Safety note: do not probe the airbag circuit yourself; unplug airbag connectors only with the battery disconnected and the stated wait time observed

Repair estimate

DifficultyShop_onlyWorkshop job
Parts and labour€80–700
Time0.5–3 h

Typical range across vehicles; the real cost depends on what the testing finds.

Parts involved

knee airbag moduledriver seatbelt pretensionersrs seat wiringsrs control module

Related codes

B0013B0014B001A

References: saabwisonline.com, static.nhtsa.gov, static.nhtsa.gov.