B1490 code in owner complaints

Code B1490 is named in 8 US owner complaints. Models: 5, model years 2013–2017.

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 B1490: 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 490 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: 8
Models: 5
Model years: 2013–2017

Which models and years

Models whose owners name this code (5). Years link to the model year problems page.

Model	Years	Complaints
Hyundai Accent	2015, 2016, 2017	4
Hyundai Azera	2013	1
Hyundai Santa FE	2017	1
Hyundai Sonata	2015	1
Hyundai Tucson	2013	1

Components named together with the code

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

Air bags 8
Electrical system 2
Seats 2

Complaints by model year

2013 2
2015 2
2016 2
2017 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.

The car facing Air bag light ON few days ago. Mechanical Shop inspect the car the scan shows code B1490 ( PODA ( Passenger Occupant Detecting System) Sensor (Bladder) defect Contact the Hyundai Customer care to check if there is any extend warranty on the this part, they said NO, open [ref]
Hyundai Accent 2016 · 2023-07
Airbag light on. Dealer pulled codes B7614 and B1490. OCS fault in mat. Recommended replacing OCS mat in passenger seat. Airbag light turns on when weight in passenger seat vacant, or does not reach weight threshold. Light usually turns off when passenger is in seat.
Hyundai Accent 2015 · 2023-04
This airbag issue occurs when I am driving, parked, with someone/something on the passenger seat, and without. The codes stored were the following: B1764, B1767, B1493, B1603, B1490.
Hyundai Accent 2016 · 2022-08

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.