OBD-II trouble code
B0038: Second Row Right Side Airbag Deployment Control (Subfault)
The airbag/SRS control module detected an electrical fault in the second-row right side airbag deployment loop. That rear side airbag may not deploy as designed, so this needs prompt professional attention.
Quick facts
- System
- Body
- Category
- Airbag / SRS Restraints
- Severity
- High severity
- Drivable
- Usually safe to drive short-term
- Repair cost range
- $100 – $900
- DIY difficulty
- Shop recommended
What does B0038 mean?
B0038 is a body (B) code stored by the airbag control module. Its SAE-generic definition is 'Second Row Right Side Airbag Deployment Control,' referring to the firing loop that deploys the side airbag protecting the right-side second-row (rear) seating position in a side impact. It is the right-side mirror of B0030 (Second Row Left Side Airbag Deployment Control) and the rear counterpart of B0028 (Right Side Airbag Deployment Control) at the front. Vehicles equipped with rear side airbags — common on three-row SUVs, minivans, and higher trims — monitor this loop continuously and store B0038 when its electrical condition is out of specification. As with all B-codes, confirm the exact application against your make's service data.
The module sets the code when the deployment loop's resistance falls outside the tight window these pyrotechnic circuits require — an open circuit, a short to power or ground, or resistance that is too high or too low. A symptom byte appended to the code identifies the exact fault type. A rear side airbag is usually mounted in the outboard bolster of the second-row seat, so its firing loop runs through an under-seat or seat-frame connector that flexes as the seat is adjusted, folded, or removed. That under-seat connector, and any harness disturbed during seat or trim service, are the most common trouble spots.
This is a supplemental restraint fault, not a driveability fault: the vehicle drives normally, but the second-row right side airbag may not deploy as intended in a crash, and airbag circuits carry a small risk of unintended deployment when mishandled. SRS diagnosis and repair should be performed by a qualified technician who can safely disable the system, and the fault should not be left unrepaired.
Common causes
- Corroded, backed-out, or loose connector under the second-row right seat
- Damaged wiring in the rear side-airbag loop after seat removal, folding, or cargo damage
- Failed second-row side airbag inflator (squib)
- Fault in the SRS connector or its shorting bar at the airbag
- Prior side-impact damage or repair that disturbed the loop
- Faulty airbag/SRS control module
Symptoms
- Airbag / SRS warning light on
- Stored B0038 fault (often with a symptom byte) in the restraints module
- No effect on engine or driving performance
- Fault that may appear or clear as the second-row seat is moved or folded
Diagnostic steps
- 1.Use a scan tool that can access the airbag/SRS module and record B0038 with its full symptom byte and any companion codes.
- 2.Confirm the second-row right side airbag and its connector location for the specific make and model.
- 3.With the system safely disabled per service procedure, inspect the under-seat connector and the seat-frame harness for corrosion, backed-out terminals, or crush damage.
- 4.Fold and adjust the seat while watching for an intermittent fault, since these loops are commonly disturbed by seat movement or recent seat service.
- 5.Measure the deployment-loop resistance against specification to separate a wiring/connector fault from a failed inflator.
- 6.If the seat or airbag was recently removed or replaced, verify the connector is fully seated and the correct part was installed.
- 7.Repair the wiring/connector fault or replace the indicated component, then clear codes and confirm the SRS light stays off.
Repair cost
$100 – $900
Reseating or repairing the under-seat connector can be inexpensive, while a failed seat-mounted airbag or control module is much costlier. SRS diagnostic time typically runs $100-$200, and a rear side airbag or SDM/RCM replacement with programming can reach several hundred dollars or more. SRS work should be done by a qualified technician.
Estimate your repair
Run the numbers for your vehicle
Open the Repair Cost Estimator with airbag control module (sdm) replacement / reset preselected. Adjust labor rate and vehicle category to fit your situation.
DIY vs shop
Leave this one to a qualified shop. It typically involves emissions-critical components, refrigerant handling, or other work that requires manufacturer-grade tooling, training, or certification. DIY attempts often produce a more expensive problem than the original code.