OBD-II trouble code
B00B6: Driver Seat Recline Position Restraints Sensor (Subfault)
The airbag/SRS control module detected a fault with the driver seat recline (seatback angle) position sensor, used by the restraint system to tailor airbag behavior to how far the seatback is reclined. Airbag operation 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 B00B6 mean?
B00B6 is a body (B) code stored by the airbag control module. It is a hexadecimal code — the character after B00 is the letter B, not a number — and its SAE-generic definition is 'Driver Seat Recline Position Restraints Sensor,' referring to a sensor that reports the recline angle of the driver's seatback to the supplemental restraint system. It is a companion to B00B5 (Driver Seat Track Position Restraints Sensor), which reports fore/aft position: together, seat-track and recline sensors tell the airbag module where the driver's body actually is. That matters because a steeply reclined seatback changes how an occupant loads the belt and interacts with the airbag, so advanced restraint systems can use recline position to adjust or inhibit deployment. The sensor is typically a Hall-effect, potentiometer, or reed/switch element mounted at the seatback pivot or recliner mechanism.
The module sets B00B6 when the recline position sensor reports invalid data or its circuit is out of specification — an open or short in the sensor wiring, a corroded or backed-out connector at the seat, a failed sensor, a misaligned magnet or target at the recliner pivot, or a fault in the classification module. A symptom byte appended to the code narrows down the exact fault. Because the sensor and its wiring live at the seatback pivot and flex every time the seat is reclined or moved, connectors and harnesses disturbed by seat travel, floor moisture, or aftermarket seat-cover and seat-heater work are common trouble spots, and some systems require a zero/recalibration procedure after any seat or sensor service. Confirm the exact configuration against your make's service data, as seat-position sensing designs vary and not every vehicle has a recline-position restraints sensor.
This is a supplemental restraint fault, not a driveability fault: the vehicle drives normally, but restraint behavior tied to seat position may not perform as designed, 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 run any required calibration, and the fault should not be left unrepaired.
Common causes
- Corroded, backed-out, or loose connector at the driver's seat
- Damaged wiring at the seatback pivot where the harness flexes as the seat reclines
- Failed recline position sensor (Hall-effect, potentiometer, or reed/switch)
- Misaligned or dislodged magnet/target at the recliner mechanism
- System out of calibration or never zeroed after seat/sensor service
- Faulty occupant classification or airbag/SRS control module
Symptoms
- Airbag / SRS warning light on
- Restraint or occupant indicator behaving incorrectly
- Stored B00B6 fault (often with a symptom byte) in the restraints module
- Possible companion driver seat-position codes (such as B00B5) stored alongside it
- No effect on engine or driving performance
Diagnostic steps
- 1.Use a scan tool that can access the airbag/SRS module and record B00B6 with its full symptom byte and any companion seat-position or occupant codes.
- 2.Confirm no aftermarket seat cover, seat heater, or heavy item is interfering with the driver's seat, and remove anything unusual before testing.
- 3.With the system safely disabled per service procedure, inspect the connector and harness at the seatback pivot for corrosion, moisture, backed-out terminals, or chafing where it flexes on recline.
- 4.Check the recline position sensor's circuit and, where applicable, the magnet/target alignment at the recliner mechanism against specification.
- 5.Recline and return the seatback while watching live data (where available) to catch an intermittent dropout as the sensor moves through its range.
- 6.If the seat, sensor, or module was recently serviced, run the make-specific zero/recalibration procedure, which many systems require.
- 7.Repair the wiring/connector, realign or replace the sensor, recalibrate, then clear codes and confirm the SRS light stays off.
Repair cost
$100 – $700
A connector repair, target realignment, or recalibration can be inexpensive, while a failed recline position sensor is costlier and often needs calibration after replacement. SRS diagnostic time typically runs $100-$200; sensor replacement with any required calibration commonly falls in the $200-$600 range. 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 / 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.