Passenger Seat Belt Pretensioner Circuit Malfunction
The B0218 code means the vehicle's onboard diagnostic system has detected: Passenger Seat Belt Pretensioner Circuit Malfunction. This is a critical severity code.
- Keep driving?
- Short distances only
- DIY difficulty
- hard
- Estimated cost
- $250 - $800 (parts and labor)
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Common Symptoms
- Airbag warning light on
- Passenger restraint fault
- SRS indicator active
- Passenger pretensioner disabled
Probable Causes (Ranked by Likelihood)
- Faulty passenger pretensioner Very High
- Damaged connector under passenger seat High
- SRS harness fault passenger side Moderate
- Airbag module passenger channel fault Low
Step-by-Step Diagnostic Procedure
-
Scan SRS module for passenger faults
-
Inspect passenger pretensioner connector
-
Check passenger SRS harness
-
Test pretensioner resistance per spec
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the passenger pretensioner the same as driver side?
Similar function but separate components with individual circuits.
Can I swap pretensioners between seats?
No, they are side-specific and not interchangeable.
Does this affect the passenger airbag?
The pretensioner and airbag are separate systems monitored by the SRS module.
Sources
This page is built from documented references. Verify against your own service info before repair work.
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