Which cars report code B0081?

Code B0081 is named in 62 US owner complaints. Models: 20, model years 2006–2015. Pontiac G8, Pontiac Solstice, Chevrolet Equinox, Saturn SKY, Saturn Aura.

B0081 code: First Row Center Seat Belt Load Limiter Deployment Control

Q: What does code B0081 mean?

First Row Center Seat Belt Load Limiter Deployment Control. How to read B0081: the letter B means body (including airbags and belts); the second digit 0 marks a generic SAE code shared by all makes; the last three characters 081 identify the specific fault.

Code B0081 is named in 62 US owner complaints. Models: 20, model years 2006–2015.

What the code means

First Row Center Seat Belt Load Limiter Deployment Control. Generic meaning per SAE J2012 (the same for all makes).

How to read B0081: the letter B means body (including airbags and belts); the second digit 0 marks a generic SAE code shared by all makes; the last three characters 081 identify the specific fault.

Restraint system codes: airbag squibs, belt pretensioners, crash sensors and occupant classification. After a crash with airbag deployment, many makers require the restraint module to be replaced or reset by procedure because it stores crash data. An airbag light on an auction car is not cosmetic: airbags, the module and sensors can cost more than the body repair.

Key figures

Complaints with this code: 62
Models: 20
Model years: 2006–2015

Which models and years

Models whose owners name this code (20). Years link to the model year problems page.

Model	Years	Complaints
Pontiac G8	2008, 2009	12
Pontiac Solstice	2006, 2007, 2008	8
Chevrolet Equinox	2007, 2008, 2009, 2011	7
Saturn SKY	2007, 2008	5
Saturn Aura	2007, 2009	4
Saturn Outlook	2007, 2008	4
Chevrolet Cobalt	2007, 2008	3
Chevrolet Malibu	2008, 2015	3
Chevrolet Volt	2012, 2013	3
Chevrolet Camaro	2010	2
Pontiac G6	2007, 2009	2
Buick Enclave	2008	1
Buick Regal	2011	1
Buick Verano	2012	1
Cadillac CTS	2008	1
Chevrolet Silverado 1500	2015	1
Chevrolet Sonic	2014	1
Chevrolet Traverse	2011	1
GMC Acadia	2007	1
Saturn ION	2007	1

Components named together with the code

Component as the owner filed it (one complaint can list several).

Air bags 59
Electrical system 5
Seats 5
Powertrain 2
Seat belts 2
Engine 1
Service brakes 1

Complaints by model year

2006 1
2007 18
2008 20
2009 11
2010 2
2011 3
2012 2
2013 2
2014 1
2015 2

What to do if an auction car has this code

Ask for a dash photo at start-up: the airbag light must go off after the self-test.
Check the interior photos for deployed airbags and fired belt pretensioners: replacing the restraint module, airbags and sensors is a large separate part of the estimate.
Budget a scan with a restraint module read-out: the code alone does not say which part failed.

What owners report

Excerpts of owner complaints in the original wording. Owner statements not verified by the regulator; personal data removed.

I missed an appointment and was not able to get it into Temeron GMC of [XXX] until XXX. I Was advised the PPS Module is now in need of replacement and charged a $200.00 diag fee for Error Code B0081 which is a direct result of NHTSA Campaign 17V061000.
Pontiac Solstice 2007 · 2026-11
Now a passenger can shift weight slightly one way or another and cause the indicator status to change which disables the airbag. Dealer also confirmed (4/16/24) DTC code B0081(internal malfunction with passenger presence module).
Buick Verano 2012 · 2024-04
It is now permanently on. Dtc B0081-71 is active. Passenger airbag lamp stays off whether someone is sitting in the passenger seat or not. Been told the pps pad in the seat foam needs replacing for over $1000. Seat hasn't been sat in more than 20 times since car was new.
Saturn Aura 2009 · 2020-05

Related codes

Sources: public official US data (owner complaints) and the SAE J2012 standard. Complaints are owner statements not verified by the regulator. A code from a complaint does not replace a scan tool diagnosis. Data updated 2026-11-10.