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DTC codes / B00xx · Airbags, seats, doors, lights and comfort systems / B0082

B0082Passenger Seatbelt Pretensioner Loop Open

B0082 means the restraint control module has detected an open circuit in the passenger seatbelt pretensioner loop, so the airbag warning lamp is illuminated and the passenger pretensioner may not deploy in a crash. The module monitors the loop resistance and sees it outside the expected range, typically because the circuit is broken or a connector is unplugged.

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

Symptoms you may notice

  • Airbag or supplemental restraint system warning light illuminated on the dashboard
  • Often no symptoms besides the warning light, with the seatbelt latching and retracting normally
  • Passenger seatbelt pretensioner may not fire in a collision, reducing occupant protection
  • Other restraint system functions may be disabled or altered while the fault is present
  • In some vehicles, a chime or message reminding you to service the restraint system

Common causes, most likely first

  1. Passenger seatbelt pretensioner connector unplugged, loose, or corroded
  2. Broken or chafed wire in the passenger pretensioner circuit, often at the seat or pillar pass-through
  3. Failed passenger seatbelt pretensioner squib (the small pyrotechnic initiator inside the retractor)
  4. Damaged restraint control module connector or internal open circuit in the module
  5. Aftermarket seat covers, seat removal, or interior work that disturbed the pretensioner wiring
  6. Water intrusion or corrosion in a floor or sill harness affecting the passenger side circuit

How to diagnose and fix it

  1. Verify the stored code and check for any related restraint codes before touching the system
  2. Inspect the passenger seatbelt pretensioner connector for looseness, corrosion, or a broken latch, and reseat it firmly
  3. Visually trace the passenger pretensioner harness for chafing, pinch points, or damage near the seat tracks and pillar
  4. Measure resistance across the pretensioner squib with a meter after disconnecting the battery and waiting the specified time, comparing to the manufacturer's specification
  5. Check continuity of the passenger pretensioner circuit from the restraint control module connector to the pretensioner connector to isolate a broken wire
  6. If the wiring and connectors test good, substitute a known-good pretensioner or use a simulator to determine whether the squib or the module is at fault
  7. Clear the code and verify the repair by cycling the ignition and confirming the warning lamp goes out and the code does not return

What a pretensioner open circuit really means

  • A pretensioner open circuit is often caused by a connector that was left unplugged after seat removal or interior work, not by a failed pretensioner itself.
  • The restraint control module runs a resistance check on the squib circuit, so a poor connection can set B0082 even when the pretensioner would still fire.
  • Never use a standard ohmmeter on a live airbag or pretensioner circuit; always disconnect the battery and wait the specified time to avoid accidental deployment.
  • B0082 is a generic code, but some manufacturers use different resistance thresholds and test strategies, so always confirm with the factory service information for the vehicle.
  • A weak or failing battery or charging system can cause restraint modules to log false open-circuit codes, so check system voltage before condemning parts.

Can I keep driving with B0082?

The vehicle is safe to drive in the sense that it will start and move, but the passenger pretensioner may not deploy in a crash, so have it diagnosed promptly. Avoid carrying a passenger in the front seat until the fault is repaired, and do not attempt to bypass or disable the restraint system.

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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