What B00A0 means
There's a fault in the system that senses who is sitting in the front passenger seat. It tells the airbag computer whether the seat is empty, holds a child seat or has an adult, so it can switch the passenger airbag on or off. A fault in the seat sensor or its module is the usual cause.
How the engine computer detects it
Fault on the occupant classification system (OCS) — typically detects whether the front passenger seat is empty, holds a child seat, or has an adult, to enable/suppress passenger airbag.
Written from public technical sources and not yet checked by a mechanic. How we write these pages
Symptoms
- Warning light or symbol related to the affected system
- Comfort or safety function impaired
Common causes
- OCS module internal fault Most likely
How to diagnose B00A0
- Note what the passenger airbag status light (often labeled "passenger airbag on/off") shows with the seat empty and with an adult sitting in it. Tell the shop.
- Take heavy items off the passenger seat and remove any aftermarket seat cover, then restart the car. Objects and covers can confuse the sensor.
- Don't unplug connectors under the seat or try to repair the seat sensor or airbag wiring yourself. Airbag parts can deploy and injure you, and the sensor needs special tools to calibrate.
- Check for open recalls with your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- A dealer or airbag-qualified shop reads the airbag module codes, which basic code readers can't. The repair is often a new occupant sensor (on many cars part of the seat cushion), then a recalibration with a scanner.
Vehicles that report B00A0 most
| Vehicle | Years | Reports | Share | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Leaf | 2013–2018 | 5 | — | |
| Nissan Murano | 2014–2018 | 4 | — | |
| Nissan Rogue | 2015–2018 | 4 | — | |
| Nissan Altima | 2013–2014 | 3 | — | |
| Ford F-150 | 2013 | 3 | — |
Counts of owner complaints to the NHTSA that mention B00A0 (36 in total), not failure rates: popular models get more complaints simply because more of them are on the road. Models with fewer than 3 complaints are left out.
Reading the code
- B
- Body
- 0
- Generic (SAE) code
- 0A0
- Specific fault
Questions drivers ask
Can I drive with code B00A0?
The car drives normally, but the passenger airbag may be switched off, or on when it shouldn't be, in a crash. Until it's fixed, avoid carrying a front passenger if you can, and keep children in the back seat. Have it checked soon by a dealer or a shop that repairs airbag systems.
This page is general information, not a substitute for a professional diagnosis. Repair costs are rough estimates for parts and labor and vary by vehicle and region.