B00F3 code meaning
Second Row Center Inflatable Seat Belt Deployment Control
What B00F3 means
B00F3 refers to an inflatable belt at the centre seat of the second row. No manufacturer documents the code, and the known systems leave this seat out: Ford's 2018 Explorer manual limits its inflatable belts to the outermost second-row positions, and Mercedes fits its beltbag to the outer rear belts (S-Class manual 2017); the E-Class manual of the same year lists the belt air bag as a frontal-impact device. A centre version would be harder to package because the gas usually enters at the buckle or lower anchor; NHTSA's belt tensile study notes that the 2011 Explorer belt needed a retractor in the lap loop because its inflator was attached to the buckle. If set, the airbag lamp is lit.
B00F3 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 B00F3
- Airbag indicator remains on
- Rear centre belt would not inflate in a crash
- Safety note: pyrotechnic or stored-gas inflator – only work with the battery disconnected and the wait time observed, at a specialist workshop
Common causes of B00F3
- Most likelyRestraint module configured for a centre inflatable belt not present in the vehicle
- PossibleConnector at the centre buckle inflator under the bench disconnected
- Less likelyIgniter of the centre belt inflator open or shorted
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Second row center inflatable beltSquib circuitSRS control module
What each part of B00F3 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). |
| F3 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note B00F3 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 B00F3
What does B00F3 mean?
B00F3 means "Second Row Center Inflatable Seat Belt Deployment Control". B00F3 refers to an inflatable belt at the centre seat of the second row. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with B00F3?
B00F3 does not normally turn on the check engine light by itself. Watch for the symptoms above and have it checked soon.
Will B00F3 fail an emissions test?
B00F3 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 B00F3 to fix?
Difficulty: workshop only. A typical repair takes 0.5 to 3 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will B00F3 clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.