OBD-II trouble code
B007A: Passenger Seatbelt Pretensioner "B" Deployment Control (Subfault)
The airbag/SRS control module detected a fault in the passenger seat belt pretensioner 'B' deployment circuit — a second pyrotechnic device that tightens the passenger's belt in a crash. The pretensioner may not fire when needed, 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
- $150 – $900
- DIY difficulty
- Shop recommended
What does B007A mean?
B007A is a body (B) code stored by the airbag/SRS control module — often called the Restraints Control Module (RCM) or SDM (Sensing and Diagnostic Module). It is a hexadecimal code — the character after B007 is the letter A, not a number — and its SAE-generic definition is 'Passenger Seatbelt Pretensioner "B" Deployment Control,' referring to the firing (deployment) circuit for a second passenger-side belt pretensioner. The 'B' distinguishes it from pretensioner 'A' (code B0072): many modern seats use two pretensioners on a belt — for example one at the retractor and one at the buckle or lap anchor — so the module controls each firing loop separately. Each pretensioner is a small pyrotechnic device that instantly retracts and tightens the seat belt at the start of a crash, pulling the occupant snug against the seat before the airbag cushions them.
Unlike a sensor code, this is a deployment-control fault: the module continuously checks that it can fire pretensioner 'B' and has found the circuit out of range — an open, a short, or resistance outside the tight window these firing loops require. A symptom byte appended to the code points to the specific condition. Common causes are a corroded or backed-out connector at the belt buckle or retractor, wiring damaged where the harness flexes with seat travel, a failed pretensioner (or one that has already deployed in a past crash and was not replaced), or an internal module fault. If both B007A and B0072 are stored, the two passenger firing loops often share a connector, power feed, or ground, so a single shared fault is more likely than two dead devices. When the module can't verify the firing loop, it disables that pretensioner and lights the airbag warning lamp.
This is a supplemental restraint fault, not a driveability fault: the engine runs and the car drives normally. But with B007A stored, that passenger belt pretensioner may not deploy in a crash, reducing the protection the restraint system is designed to provide. Pretensioner firing circuits contain pyrotechnic charges that can deploy unexpectedly if mishandled, so this code should only be diagnosed and repaired by a qualified technician who can safely disable the SRS first. Confirm the exact definition and how many passenger pretensioners are fitted against your make's service data.
Common causes
- Corroded, backed-out, or loose connector at the passenger belt buckle or retractor pretensioner
- Damaged wiring where the seat/belt harness flexes with seat travel
- Failed second passenger seat belt pretensioner
- Pretensioner already deployed in a past event and not replaced
- Shared connector, power, or ground fault affecting both passenger pretensioner loops (with B0072)
- Faulty airbag/SRS control module
Symptoms
- Airbag / SRS warning light on
- Stored B007A fault (often with a symptom byte) in the restraints module
- Second passenger seat belt pretensioner disabled and will not deploy in a crash
- No effect on engine or driving performance
- Possible companion B0072 (Passenger Pretensioner 'A') stored alongside it
Diagnostic steps
- 1.Use a scan tool that can access the airbag/SRS module and record B007A with its full symptom byte and any companion restraint codes.
- 2.Confirm the exact definition for the make and model, whether a second passenger pretensioner is fitted, and whether the vehicle has already been in a crash that could have deployed it.
- 3.With the SRS safely disabled per the service procedure, inspect the connector at the belt buckle and retractor and the seat harness for corrosion, moisture, or backed-out terminals.
- 4.Check the wiring that flexes with seat travel for chafing, pinching, or breaks.
- 5.Measure the pretensioner 'B' firing loop resistance against specification to separate a wiring fault from a failed or already-deployed device.
- 6.If both B007A and B0072 are stored, focus on a shared connector, power, or ground rather than two independent failures.
- 7.Replace a failed or deployed pretensioner or repair the wiring/connector, then clear codes and confirm the SRS light stays off.
Repair cost
$150 – $900
A connector or wiring repair can be modest, while a replacement passenger belt pretensioner/retractor or buckle assembly commonly runs $200-$800 including diagnosis, and a deployed pretensioner after a crash must be replaced, not reset. SRS diagnostic time typically runs $100-$200. Because pretensioners are pyrotechnic devices, this is professional SRS work.
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.