B0182 code meaning
Right Front/Passenger Side Buckle Tension Sensor Circuit
What B0182 means
B0182 appears in no J2012 list and in no public document of any carmaker, so the code cannot be verified. Its meaning overlaps B0061, the passenger belt tension sensor, and B0140. Such a sensor sits at the lower belt anchor and tells the occupant detection system how hard the belt is pulled. Delphi's patent US6605877B1 feeds the sensor and reads its data over the same two wires; a tension above a calibrated value points to a child seat strapped down tightly, and the seat weight reading is corrected by the belt load. FMVSS 208 lets carmakers switch the passenger airbag off automatically for small children, which is where this signal matters. A circuit fault leaves the module unsure whether to permit the airbag, so it lights the airbag lamp.
B0182 at a glance
- Check engine lightUsually not
- Emissions testNot an emissions code
- Limp modeNot expected
- Repair difficultyWorkshop only
- Typical labor0.5 to 2 hours
- Clears after repairWhen cleared with a scanner
Symptoms of B0182
- Airbag warning lamp lit
- Passenger airbag off indicator behaves unexpectedly with a child seat or adult in the seat
- Safety note: airbag and pretensioner plugs are close by; disconnect the battery and wait before unplugging anything
Common causes of B0182
- Most likelyPlug at the belt anchor sensor loose, corroded or pulled off when the seat was moved
- PossibleTwo-wire lead to the occupant detection module pinched or chafed under the seat
- Less likelySensor electronics faulty, for instance after a crash load on the belt
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Passenger seatbelt tension sensorOccupant detection moduleSRS seat wiringSRS control module
What each part of B0182 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). |
| 82 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note B0182 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 B0182
What does B0182 mean?
B0182 means "Right Front/Passenger Side Buckle Tension Sensor Circuit". B0182 appears in no J2012 list and in no public document of any carmaker, so the code cannot be verified. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with B0182?
B0182 does not normally turn on the check engine light by itself. Watch for the symptoms above and have it checked soon.
Will B0182 fail an emissions test?
B0182 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 B0182 to fix?
Difficulty: workshop only. A typical repair takes 0.5 to 2 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will B0182 clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.