B0071 code meaning
First Row Center Seat Belt Pretensioner Deployment Control
What B0071 means
B0071 is reserved for a pretensioner at the middle seat of the first row, which exists only where a three-person front bench is fitted. The airbag module would watch this squib like any other firing loop and flag an open, a short or a resistance outside its window. No carmaker publishes B0071 with this meaning. Mercedes-Benz does show that such a device can be present: its information LI54.21-P-070658 (A-, CLA-, GLB-Class) lists an open circuit at the emergency tensioning retractor in the centre of the first seat row, but files it under its own code B1B36. GM places buckle pretensioners at the inner flank of a front seat. In the airbag modules of the Saab 9-3 (2003, 2007), B0071 stands for a short in the passenger curtain or rollover-bar circuit, a different part altogether.
B0071 at a glance
- Check engine lightUsually not
- Emissions testNot an emissions code
- Limp modeNot expected
- Repair difficultyWorkshop only
- Typical labor0.5 to 3 hours
- Clears after repairWhen cleared with a scanner
Symptoms of B0071
- Airbag warning lamp on
- Middle front occupant gets no belt pretensioning in a crash
- Safety note: pyrotechnic component; disconnect the battery, wait the specified time and leave the work to a specialist workshop
Common causes of B0071
- Most likelyPlug under the front bench centre seat loose or corroded
- PossibleHarness damaged when the centre seat or console is folded or removed
- Less likelyAirbag module configured for a centre pretensioner the vehicle does not have
- Less likelyInternal fault of the centre pretensioner
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
First row center pretensionerSquib circuitSRS control module
What each part of B0071 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). |
| 71 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note B0071 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 B0071
What does B0071 mean?
B0071 means "First Row Center Seat Belt Pretensioner Deployment Control". B0071 is reserved for a pretensioner at the middle seat of the first row, which exists only where a three-person front bench is fitted. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with B0071?
B0071 does not normally turn on the check engine light by itself. Watch for the symptoms above and have it checked soon.
Will B0071 fail an emissions test?
B0071 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 B0071 to fix?
Difficulty: workshop only. A typical repair takes 0.5 to 3 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will B0071 clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.