B0033 code meaning
Second Row Left Frontal Stage 3 Deployment Control
What B0033 means
B0033 is the third deployment element of a frontal airbag for the left second-row seat. A third igniter can be a further gas chamber; a Breed patent describes an inflator with one igniter per chamber whose firing order and 0 to 25 ms delays the controller chooses. Mercedes-Benz fills the stage 3 slot of its front bags with the vent valve squib (B000313, B001213), a model for what stage 3 may mean behind a seat. No carmaker documents B0033 for a rear bag. GM bulletin 08-09-41-002H names B0033 with bytes 04, 0D and 0E in its CPA retainer bulletin for numerous GM cars and trucks of 2005 to 2014, where the number belongs to another GM loop. Airbag lamp on.
B0033 at a glance
- Check engine lightUsually not
- Emissions testNot an emissions code
- Limp modeNot expected
- Repair difficultyWorkshop only
- Typical labor1 to 4 hours
- Clears after repairWhen cleared with a scanner
Symptoms of B0033
- Airbag warning lamp on
- Adaptive inflation of the left rear airbag is lost
- 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 B0033
- Most likelyConnector position assurance lock missing or not seated, so the plug works loose
- PossibleDamaged stage 3 lead or igniter in the rear airbag
- Less likelyRestraint module configured for equipment the vehicle does not have (wrong part or coding)
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Second row left frontal airbagSquib circuitSRS seat wiringSRS control module
What each part of B0033 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). |
| 33 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note B0033 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 B0033
What does B0033 mean?
B0033 means "Second Row Left Frontal Stage 3 Deployment Control". B0033 is the third deployment element of a frontal airbag for the left second-row seat. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with B0033?
B0033 does not normally turn on the check engine light by itself. Watch for the symptoms above and have it checked soon.
Will B0033 fail an emissions test?
B0033 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 B0033 to fix?
Difficulty: workshop only. A typical repair takes 1 to 4 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will B0033 clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.