01 People Cannot Believe The Secret Function Of The Small Arro… • 02 P0302 – Cylinder 2 Misfire: Performance and Vibration Issues • 03 The Advantages of Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence (… • 04 Why Disconnecting Your Car Battery for Storage is a Good Ba… • 05 Car Warranty Secrets: What Dealers Don't Want You to Know • 06 P0021 A camshaft postion - timing over-advanced or system p… • 07 Does Auto Start - Stop Wear Out a Starter? • 08 Master Your Automatic: A Guide to Using D, D1, D2, D3 Gear … • 09 Why Won't My Car Accelerate But the RPMs Goes Up? • 10 Understanding Car Fuel Pumps: Functions, Types, and Mainten… •

DTC codes / B00xx · Airbags, seats, doors, lights and comfort systems / B00F5

B00F5Third Row Left Inflatable Seat Belt Deployment Control

B00F5 indicates that the restraint control module has detected a fault in the deployment circuit for the third row left inflatable seat belt, which is a seat belt that inflates like an airbag during a crash to spread load across the occupant's torso. The computer monitors circuit resistance and continuity and sets this code when the signal falls outside the expected range, which can disable that belt's deployment function.

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

Symptoms you may notice

  • Airbag or supplemental restraint system warning light illuminated on the dashboard
  • Seat belt warning light or chime that stays on even when the belt is buckled
  • The third row left inflatable seat belt may not deploy in a collision
  • Often no symptoms besides the warning light, with the belt feeling and operating normally
  • In some vehicles, a message on the driver information center stating a restraint system fault
  • Other restraint functions may be inhibited depending on the vehicle's fail-safe strategy

Common causes, most likely first

  1. Damaged or pinched wiring harness at the third row seat belt buckle or retractor, often from seat folding or cargo loading
  2. Corroded or loose electrical connector at the inflatable seat belt module or at the restraint control module
  3. Open or shorted deployment circuit inside the inflatable seat belt assembly itself
  4. Failed restraint control module, though this is less common than wiring faults
  5. Water intrusion or debris in the connector causing high resistance
  6. Aftermarket accessories or previous seat removal that disturbed the harness

How to diagnose and fix it

  1. Inspect the third row left seat belt wiring and connectors for damage, corrosion, or loose pins, and repair as needed
  2. Disconnect the battery and wait the recommended time, then check circuit resistance at the seat belt connector with a multimeter and compare to specification
  3. Perform a wiggle test on the harness while monitoring live data to catch intermittent faults
  4. Check for technical service bulletins or software updates for the restraint control module that address false deployment codes
  5. If the circuit tests good, substitute a known-good inflatable seat belt assembly to see if the code clears
  6. Clear the code and verify repair by cycling the ignition and confirming the warning light stays off
  7. If the fault persists after all circuit checks, replace and reprogram the restraint control module as a last resort

Why this code often isn't the seat belt

  • A large share of B00F5 cases are caused by a chafed wire under the third row seat where passengers or cargo slide in and out, not by a failed inflatable belt.
  • The code can set intermittently from a connector that only loses contact when the seat is folded or the vehicle hits a bump, so a static resistance check may pass.
  • Some vehicles store this code after a low-voltage event or battery replacement, and it clears once the module sees a clean circuit on the next drive cycle.
  • Inflatable seat belts contain a small gas generator, so resistance specifications are tight and a cheap multimeter with poor lead contact can give a false pass or fail.
  • A fault in the third row left belt can sometimes be accompanied by codes for other rear restraints if the shared ground or harness branch is damaged.

Can I keep driving with B00F5?

The vehicle remains driveable, but the third row left inflatable seat belt may not deploy in a crash, so avoid carrying passengers in that seating position until the fault is repaired. Do not attempt to test the deployment circuit with a powered test light or apply voltage directly to the belt connector.

Tools that help

Tools we recommend are in the Auto Veteran shop on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

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

Running on fumes Free guides aren't free to make. Top up the tank. Any amount, one time. Fuel the Garage