B0016 code meaning
Right Front/Passenger Frontal Deployment Loop Short to Ground
What B0016 means
The public J2012 code lists skip B0016. General Motors used it in two generations with different meanings. In older modules, documented for the Saab 9-5 2006 and the Saab 9-3 up to 2011, B0016 means low resistance in the passenger frontal stage 1 loop: the reading drops under about 1.5 ohms, tolerance 0.2, for two seconds. That is close to the title, since a short to ground or between the leads also pulls the measured resistance down. In later GM modules (Saab 9-4X 2011) B0016 is the left roof rail airbag loop, with its own bytes for short to ground (02) and low resistance below 1.4 ohms (0E). GM bulletin 08-09-41-002H lists B0016 among codes caused by unseated connector locks on many 2005-14 GM models. The airbag lamp is on in every case.
B0016 at a glance
- Check engine lightUsually not
- Emissions testNot an emissions code
- Limp modeNot expected
- Repair difficultyWorkshop only
- Typical labor0.5 to 4 hours
- Clears after repairWhen cleared with a scanner
Symptoms of B0016
- Airbag warning lamp on
- Passenger frontal airbag stage 1 (older GM) or left head airbag (later GM) 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 B0016
- Most likelySquib leads shorted together or to ground in the passenger frontal loop (older GM)
- PossibleConnector position assurance lock not seated (GM 08-09-41-002H)
- PossibleOn later GM vehicles fault in the left roof rail airbag loop
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Passenger airbag moduleSRS wiring
What each part of B0016 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). |
| 16 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note B0016 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 B0016
What does B0016 mean?
B0016 means "Right Front/Passenger Frontal Deployment Loop Short to Ground". The public J2012 code lists skip B0016. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with B0016?
B0016 does not normally turn on the check engine light by itself. Watch for the symptoms above and have it checked soon.
Will B0016 fail an emissions test?
B0016 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 B0016 to fix?
Difficulty: workshop only. A typical repair takes 0.5 to 4 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will B0016 clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.