OBD-II trouble code
B0096: Right Side Restraints Sensor 1 (Subfault)
The airbag/SRS control module detected a fault in the right side restraints (impact) sensor 1 circuit. Side airbag timing on that side may be affected, 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 – $700
- DIY difficulty
- Shop recommended
What does B0096 mean?
B0096 is a body (B) code stored by the airbag control module. Its SAE-generic definition is 'Right Side Restraints Sensor 1,' referring to the first of the right-side satellite impact sensors that detect a side collision. It is the right-side mirror of B0091 (Left Side Restraints Sensor 1). Side-impact sensors are usually mounted in the B-pillar, the door, or along the rocker/floor of the passenger side, where they can react quickly to a side crash and tell the module to fire the side and curtain airbags and pretensioners on that side. The '1' distinguishes it from additional right-side sensors (B0097 Sensor 2, B0098 Sensor 3) used on vehicles with more than one satellite per side.
The module sets B0096 when that sensor's circuit reads out of range — open, shorted, or with resistance outside the narrow band these safety circuits demand — or when the sensor stops reporting valid data. Because side-impact sensors live in the doors and lower body, their connectors are exposed to door-hinge harness flex, water intrusion from clogged door drains or a car wash, and disturbance during door, seat, or trim service — the most common sources of these faults. As with all B-codes, confirm the exact definition and sensor location against your make's service data.
This is a supplemental restraint fault, not a driveability fault: the vehicle drives normally, but the right-side airbags may not deploy as intended in a side impact, 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, wet, or loose connector at the right side-impact sensor (B-pillar, door, or rocker)
- Water intrusion from a clogged door drain, car wash, or flooding
- Door-hinge harness flex fatigue or damage from door/seat/trim work
- Failed right side impact/satellite sensor
- Prior side-impact damage or repair that disturbed the sensor
- Faulty airbag/SRS control module
Symptoms
- Airbag / SRS warning light on
- Stored B0096 fault in the restraints module
- No effect on engine or driving performance
- Possible additional right-side restraint-sensor codes (B0097/B0098) stored alongside it
Diagnostic steps
- 1.Use a scan tool that can access the airbag/SRS module and record B0096 and any companion right-side restraint-sensor codes.
- 2.Confirm the exact location of right side sensor 1 for the specific make and model (B-pillar, door, or rocker).
- 3.With the system safely disabled per service procedure, inspect the sensor connector and harness for corrosion, moisture, or door-hinge flex damage.
- 4.Check for water intrusion — clogged door drains or a recent car wash/flood can wet a door-mounted sensor connector.
- 5.Measure the sensor circuit's resistance against specification to separate a wiring fault from a failed sensor.
- 6.If several right-side sensor codes are set together, check the shared power, ground, and connector before condemning multiple sensors.
- 7.Repair wiring/connector faults or replace the indicated sensor, then clear codes and confirm the SRS light stays off.
Repair cost
$100 – $700
Drying and repairing a wet connector can be inexpensive, while replacing a side-impact sensor commonly runs $150-$500 including diagnosis. Costs rise if a door or trim must come apart to reach the sensor, or if the airbag/SRS control module itself is at fault. SRS work should be done by a qualified technician, so plan for professional diagnostic time.
Estimate your repair
Run the numbers for your vehicle
Open the Repair Cost Estimator with airbag / srs crash sensor replacement 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.