B0013 code meaning
Passenger Knee Bolster Deployment Control
What B0013 means
B0013 belongs to the knee airbag on the passenger side, which deploys from the lower glovebox area and keeps the passenger's knees and thighs from sliding under the dash. Mercedes-Benz logs B001313 for an open squib of the front passenger kneebag. Ford pairs B0013:1A with the driver knee code B0004 on the 2024 Ranger; the TSB has all four airbag connectors checked, the passenger knee airbag being C2433, and swaps those with the wrong moulding number. GM uses the same number differently: in its later modules B0013 is stage 2 of the driver steering wheel airbag, with the same fault bytes as B0012 (Saab 9-4X 2011, GM 2009 Cobalt coil coverage). So a GM vehicle needs a check at the steering wheel, other makers at the passenger knee airbag. The airbag lamp is on.
B0013 at a glance
- Check engine lightUsually not
- Emissions testNot an emissions code
- Limp modeNot expected
- Repair difficultyWorkshop only
- Typical labor1 to 3 hours
- Clears after repairWhen cleared with a scanner
Symptoms of B0013
- Airbag warning lamp on
- Passenger knee airbag (or on GM driver airbag stage 2) may not deploy
- Safety note: do not probe the airbag circuit yourself; unplug airbag connectors only with the battery disconnected and the stated wait time observed
Common causes of B0013
- Most likelyFaulty connector at the passenger knee airbag (Ford TSB 24-2444)
- PossibleOn GM vehicles fault in the driver airbag stage 2 loop or clock spring
- Less likelyInternal fault in the passenger knee airbag
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Knee airbag passengerSquib circuitSRS control module
What each part of B0013 means
| B | Body system: airbags, seat belts, power seats, lights and climate control. |
| 0 | Generic code: it means the same on every make (SAE standard). |
| 13 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note B0013 and any other codes stored with it: several codes together often point to one cause.
- Check for loose connectors and damaged wiring around the parts the code names.
- Check open recalls for your car: some faults are fixed for free by the dealer. Enter your VIN.
- Clear the code only after the repair. If it comes back, the fault is still there.
Buying a used car? Scan it for stored codes before you pay. A recently cleared memory can hide a problem.
Questions about B0013
What does B0013 mean?
B0013 means "Passenger Knee Bolster Deployment Control". B0013 belongs to the knee airbag on the passenger side, which deploys from the lower glovebox area and keeps the passenger's knees and thighs from sliding under the dash. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with B0013?
B0013 does not normally turn on the check engine light by itself. Watch for the symptoms above and have it checked soon.
Will B0013 fail an emissions test?
B0013 is not an emissions code, so on its own it usually does not fail an emissions test. Other stored codes or a lit check engine light still can.
How hard is B0013 to fix?
Difficulty: workshop only. A typical repair takes 1 to 3 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will B0013 clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.