B1346 code in owner complaints

Code B1346 is named in 16 US owner complaints. Models: 6, model years 2003–2021.

There is little data for this code or its meaning is ambiguous, so this page is not indexed.

What the code means

This is a manufacturer-specific code: the meaning depends on the make and sometimes on the year.

How to read B1346: the letter B means body (including airbags and belts); the second digit 1 marks a manufacturer code whose meaning is set by the make; the last three characters 346 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: 16
Models: 6
Model years: 2003–2021

Which models and years

Models whose owners name this code (6). Years link to the model year problems page.

Model	Years	Complaints
Hyundai Sonata	2011, 2012	4
KIA Optima	2009, 2011, 2013	4
KIA Sorento	2003, 2011, 2013	4
Hyundai Elantra	2012	2
Hyundai Santa FE	2004	1
Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid	2021	1

Components named together with the code

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

Air bags 16
Engine 1
Fuel/propulsion system 1
Seat belts 1
Seats 1
Other 1
Vehicle speed control 1

Complaints by model year

2003 1
2004 1
2009 2
2011 6
2012 3
2013 2
2021 1

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.

If you press on the horn, it is silent, and the airbag light has been illuminated consistently for the last couple of months. I had this issue diagnosed and it came up with the codes of B1346. And B1481. After some research, these issues are the result of a bad clock, spring and cause the airbag and horn not to work.
KIA Optima 2011 · 2026-07
The presence of metallic debris in the oil is the definitive signature of the Theta II manufacturing defect. Furthermore, the dealer acted in bad faith by attempting to charge for Airbag repairs (Codes B1346/B1481) that are covered under the 15-year Clock Spring Warranty Extension (CS1102).
KIA Optima 2013 · 2026-05
The air bag light is on in my dashboard and this car has never been in an accident before and Iâve gotten it checked by a professional mechanic and the code is reading driver airbag resistance high codes B1346 and B1481
Hyundai Sonata 2012 · 2023-09

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.