Airbags

B0013 — Passenger Knee Airbag Deployment Control Circuit Fault

Severity: high Drive with care, to a shop

What B0013 means

B0013 means the SRS control module detected a fault in the deployment control circuit of the passenger knee airbag. At every ignition-on, the module tests the airbag circuit for opens, shorts and out-of-range resistance. If the readings are off, it disables that airbag and turns on the SRS warning light.

Symptoms

  • SRS or airbag warning light on the instrument cluster
  • A separate knee airbag indicator may be lit
  • Knee airbag not ready to deploy in a crash
  • Code returns after being cleared
  • Light that comes and goes with a loose connection

Possible causes

  1. Damaged or chafed airbag circuit wiring or connectors
  2. Corroded or loose SRS connectors
  3. Connector not fully seated after interior work
  4. Faulty knee airbag module (squib)
  5. Harness damage near the glove box and lower dash
  6. Faulty SRS control module or software problem
  7. Crash sensor input problem (unlikely)

How to diagnose

  1. Scan all SRS codes with a scan tool that supports airbags and note the freeze frame data
  2. Ask whether any interior work was done recently, such as seat removal, glove box removal or dash repairs
  3. Inspect the harness and connectors under the glove box and at the passenger knee airbag for damage, corrosion and poor seating
  4. Disconnect the battery and wait per the manufacturer's procedure, then check connector locks and terminals
  5. Check circuit resistance against service data using proper equipment, never applying power directly to the airbag
  6. Check the circuit for shorts to ground and to voltage
  7. Compare with service information and, if needed, test with a known-good module
  8. Clear the code and see if it returns

Common fixes

  • Repair or replace damaged wiring and connectors
  • Clean the contacts and secure the SRS connectors properly
  • Replace the knee airbag module if the squib is faulty
  • Update the SRS module software if the manufacturer offers it
  • Replace the SRS control module as a last resort

Questions and answers

Can I drive with a B0013 code?

The car will drive normally, but the passenger knee airbag may not deploy in a crash. Get it diagnosed as soon as you can.

Can I test the airbag circuit myself?

You can visually check connectors with the battery disconnected. Resistance tests and wiring repairs are best left to a professional because an airbag can deploy accidentally.

Why does the code come back after clearing it?

The SRS module tests the circuit at every ignition-on. Until the open, short or poor connection is fixed, the fault will keep returning.

This is general information about the code. The meaning can differ between makes and models: a scan tool and the repair manual for your car will show the exact cause.