B0083 code meaning
Second Row Left Seat Belt Load Limiter Deployment Control
What B0083 means
B0083 is intended for a switchable force limiter on the left rear seat. No manufacturer publishes it with this J2012 meaning. Rear load limiters do exist: in an IIHS rear-seat test series presented in 2020, ten vehicles had both pretensioner and limiter at the back and one had a limiter alone. Much more often B0083 is a GM code for another part. On Global A models (2011 Saab 9-4X) it means the left front impact sensor, with symptom bytes for shorts, opens, low current, internal failure, wrong part and bad serial data; an open is flagged when the sensor stays silent longer than 375 ms. GM bulletin PI1480 (2015 Colorado/Canyon) traces stored B0083/B0084 with byte 05 to a corroded sensor or an unlatched connector lock. Saab 9-3 and 9-5 use it for the passenger seat position sensor.
B0083 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 B0083
- Airbag warning lamp on, possibly only intermittently
- Left rear belt keeps a fixed limiting level in a crash
- Safety note: restraint system with pyrotechnic parts; work only de-energised at a specialist workshop
Common causes of B0083
- Most likelyOn GM vehicles, corroded left front impact sensor or unlatched connector lock (PI1480, different meaning)
- PossibleWiring to the left rear retractor damaged under trim or seat
- Less likelyInternal fault of the rear load limiter squib
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Second row left load limiterSquib circuitSRS control module
What each part of B0083 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). |
| 83 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note B0083 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 B0083
What does B0083 mean?
B0083 means "Second Row Left Seat Belt Load Limiter Deployment Control". B0083 is intended for a switchable force limiter on the left rear seat. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with B0083?
B0083 does not normally turn on the check engine light by itself. Watch for the symptoms above and have it checked soon.
Will B0083 fail an emissions test?
B0083 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 B0083 to fix?
Difficulty: workshop only. A typical repair takes 0.5 to 3 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will B0083 clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.