B0013 Code: Passenger Knee Bolster Deployment Control
Fault in the firing loop of the front passenger's knee airbag near the glovebox; GM uses the code differently.
Unverified: this manufacturer-specific definition comes from a single source or varies by model. Confirm it with a brand-specific scan tool.
Stop driving
The car can be driven, but the front passenger's lower-leg protection, and on GM possibly a frontal airbag stage, is not available. Avoid carrying a front passenger where you can and have the fault repaired rather than cleared.
Safety first · Consult a professional
- Airbag (SRS) circuits must only be serviced by a professional. Never probe airbag connectors — accidental deployment causes serious injury.
At a glance
Severity: High
- Meaning
- Passenger Knee Bolster Deployment Control
- System
- Body Systems · Body
- Safe to drive?
- With caution
- Typical repair cost
- $100–$1,300
- DIY difficulty
- Professional only
In the SAE J2012 list, B0013 covers the passenger knee bolster airbag: a flat airbag behind the lower dash on the passenger side, on some models built right into the glovebox door. In a frontal crash it keeps the passenger's knees off the dash and reduces the tendency to slide under the lap belt. The code sets when the airbag module sees that loop open, shorted or outside its resistance window. Because the glovebox is removed for cabin air filter changes, blower motor jobs and dash repairs, its connector gets disturbed more often than most SRS plugs. GM uses B0013 for a frontal airbag stage 2 loop instead, so the definition varies by make and this page is marked unverified; always confirm with a scan tool that shows your manufacturer's text.
How to read B0013
- B Body
- 0 Generic (SAE)
- 0 Body Systems
- 13 Specific fault
Symptoms
- SRS warning light on after startup
- Light came on after the cabin air filter was changed or the glovebox was taken out
- Glovebox door sits crooked, rattles or has a damaged hinge
- Warning after heavy items in the glovebox or a kicked glovebox door
- On GM vehicles: other frontal airbag stage codes stored at the same time
Possible causes
Ranked by how often each cause is behind this code (editorial estimate).
- Knee airbag connector unplugged or not latched after glovebox removal (cabin filter, blower, dash work)
- Harness pulled tight or pinched by the glovebox frame or its stops
- Passenger knee airbag inflator out of range
- GM definition: frontal airbag stage 2 loop fault (clockspring or dash airbag circuit)
- Corrosion from water in the passenger footwell
- Airbag control module fault
Diagnosis step by step
Confirm what B0013 means on your car
Read the SRS module with a scan tool that shows the manufacturer's code text and subtype. If it names the passenger knee airbag, follow the glovebox path; on GM vehicles it may name a frontal stage 2 loop instead.
Tools: OBD-II scanner
Link it to the last glovebox job
Many owners change the cabin air filter themselves by dropping the glovebox. If the light came on right after that, a disturbed knee airbag plug is the prime suspect, and the shop needs to know.
Inspect the glovebox from the outside
Check whether the glovebox opens and closes evenly and whether the lower dash trim is fully clipped. Do not take the glovebox out again to look behind it; with the battery connected, the knee airbag stays live.
Tools: Flashlight
Professional deactivation
A technician disconnects the battery and waits the time the manufacturer specifies before unplugging the knee airbag. Measuring the airbag or its plug with a meter is never done; the test current alone can deploy it.
Simulator substitution
An airbag simulator plugged into the harness side shows whether the fault is the knee airbag or the wiring back to the module. Chafed wiring is repaired with the maker's SRS repair connectors; a bad knee airbag is replaced as a unit.
Tools: OBD-II scanner
Refit and test the glovebox
After the repair, the glovebox is refitted with the harness routed so it can't be pulled when the door opens. The code is cleared and the SRS lamp must go out after the self-check.
Tools: OBD-II scanner
Repair options & costs
| Repair | DIY? | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| SRS diagnosis | No | $100–$200 |
| Reconnect or repair knee airbag connector and routing | No | $100–$300 |
| Replace damaged glovebox assembly (where the airbag is separate) | No | $150–$450 |
| Replace passenger knee airbag | No | $450–$1,200 |
| Replace airbag control module | No | $500–$1,300 |
Rough US estimates for parts and labor; shop rates vary by region. Not a quote.
Notes by brand
Chevrolet
Chevrolet uses GM's own airbag numbering, where B0013 refers to a frontal airbag stage 2 deployment loop rather than a passenger knee airbag. Read the code with a GM-capable scan tool to see which airbag is named.
Field data
| Chevrolet | 3 | Corvette Z06, Malibu, Silverado 1500 |
|---|
Source: NHTSA Complaints API (US government open data), analyzed by DTC mention.
Emissions / smog test impact
Depends
The US emissions test doesn't look at SRS codes. A state safety inspection can fail the vehicle while the airbag warning light stays on.
Frequently asked questions
I changed my cabin air filter and now the airbag light is on. Why?
On many cars the glovebox has to come out for the filter, and the passenger knee airbag or its connector sits right behind or inside it. A plug that was pulled or loosened sets B0013 at the next startup.
Does every car have a passenger knee airbag?
No. Many vehicles only have a driver knee airbag or none at all. If your car has no passenger knee airbag, B0013 is probably using a manufacturer-specific definition, as on GM vehicles.
Is the airbag inside the glovebox door dangerous when I open it?
Opening and closing the glovebox normally is safe. The risk comes from removing it or unplugging wiring with the battery connected, which is why that work belongs in a shop.
What's the difference between B0004 and B0013?
Under the SAE list, B0004 is the driver's knee airbag below the steering column and B0013 is the passenger's knee airbag near the glovebox. They are separate loops with different connectors.
Sources
- SAE J2012 – Diagnostic Trouble Code Definitions
- Manufacturer public service information (cross-checked)
- NHTSA Complaints API
- Methodology: How We Build Code Pages · Data Sources We Use · Editorial Policy