B1801 code in owner complaints

Code B1801 is named in 23 US owner complaints. Models: 7, model years 2004–2011.

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 B1801: 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 801 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: 23
Models: 7
Model years: 2004–2011

Which models and years

Models whose owners name this code (7). Years link to the model year problems page.

Model	Years	Complaints
Toyota RAV4	2007, 2008	10
Toyota Tacoma	2005, 2006, 2007, 2011	6
Toyota Tundra	2007, 2008, 2010	3
Toyota Camry	2004	1
Toyota Camry Hybrid	2008	1
Toyota Corolla	2009	1
Toyota Highlander	2008	1

Components named together with the code

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

Air bags 23
Electrical system 2
Other 1
Visibility 1

Complaints by model year

2004 1
2005 3
2006 1
2007 10
2008 5
2009 1
2010 1
2011 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.

I have to get the spiral cable replaced per the auto repair shop. This was a recall on tacoma's up to 2009 (recall B1801) but not my year. My year should be part of the recall. I believe this also impacts the airbag deployment from the steering wheel.
Toyota Tacoma 2011 · 2021-05
Hurlbert toyota ([address], epping, [ZIP], [phone]) diagnosed that the spiral cable was faulty and located failure code: B1801. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls regarding the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 60,379.
Toyota Tundra 2010 · 2019-02
I got my air bag light on, solid light now, I connected the scanner and read code B1801. I checked in internet that could be a recall for some trucks. I went to the dealer and it doesn't show that my truck has that recall on. I need to do my smog and now because I have the airbag on I can not do it.
Toyota Tacoma 2006 · 2018-07

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.