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DTC codes / B00xx · Airbags, seats, doors, lights and comfort systems / B0060

B0060Knee Airbag Deployment Control

B0060 is a body code indicating that the restraint control module has detected a fault in the knee airbag deployment circuit, which is the wiring and inflator module that protects the driver's or passenger's lower legs in a frontal crash. The module monitors the circuit's resistance and continuity and sets this code when the signal falls outside the expected range, often because the airbag connector is loose or the inflator squib has failed.

SystemBody
Code typeGeneric (all makes)
SeverityMedium
Fix difficultyProfessional
AreaAirbags, seats, doors, lights and comfort systems

Symptoms you may notice

  • The airbag warning light stays illuminated on the instrument cluster after the bulb check.
  • A chime or message may appear on vehicles with a driver information center warning of a restraint system fault.
  • The knee airbag will not deploy in a frontal collision, reducing lower-leg protection for the occupant.
  • Often no symptoms besides the warning light, because the circuit fault does not affect engine performance or drivability.
  • On some vehicles, other restraint functions such as seat belt pretensioners may be disabled as a fail-safe.

Common causes, most likely first

  1. A loose, corroded, or partially unseated electrical connector at the knee airbag inflator module.
  2. A damaged or pinched wire in the knee airbag deployment circuit, often from seat or trim removal.
  3. An open or shorted inflator squib inside the knee airbag module itself.
  4. Water intrusion or corrosion in the connector or wiring harness near the lower dash or seat area.
  5. A faulty restraint control module that is misreading the circuit resistance.
  6. Aftermarket accessories or previous repairs that tapped into or disturbed the airbag wiring.

How to diagnose and fix it

  1. Connect a scan tool and record all restraint control module codes and freeze-frame data before clearing anything.
  2. Inspect the knee airbag connector and wiring for looseness, corrosion, or damage, and reseat the connector firmly.
  3. Measure the resistance of the knee airbag squib with a proper airbag-safe ohmmeter and compare it to the manufacturer's specification.
  4. Check the circuit for shorts to ground or power and for opens between the module and the inflator, repairing any damaged wire.
  5. If the wiring and connector are good, substitute a known-good knee airbag module only after following the manufacturer's disarm procedure.
  6. Clear the codes and verify the airbag warning light goes out and stays out through a complete self-test cycle.
  7. If the code returns, perform a module relearn or replace the restraint control module as directed by the service information.

Before you replace the knee airbag

  • A loose connector under the seat or lower dash is the most common cause of B0060, and simply reseating it fixes many vehicles without any parts replacement.
  • The code does not always mean the airbag itself is bad; a chafed wire from a previous seat removal or trim repair frequently sets the same fault.
  • Never measure airbag squib resistance with a standard multimeter unless the meter is airbag-safe, because the test current can trigger deployment.
  • Always disarm the supplemental restraint system by disconnecting the battery and waiting the specified time before touching any yellow airbag connector.
  • A weak or failing battery can cause the restraint module to log intermittent circuit codes, so check charging system health before condemning the airbag.

Can I keep driving with B0060?

The vehicle remains drivable, but the knee airbag is disabled and will not protect the occupant in a frontal crash, so have the fault repaired promptly and avoid any collision until then.

Tools that help

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Guidance is general and written for all OBD-II vehicles. Exact tests and values vary by model, so confirm the fault before replacing parts.

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