C0196 code in owner complaints

Code C0196 is named in 8 US owner complaints. Models: 4, model years 2004–2020.

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

What the code means

How to read C0196: the letter C means chassis (brakes, ABS, steering, suspension); the second digit 0 marks a generic SAE code shared by all makes; the last three characters 196 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: 4
Model years: 2004–2020

Which models and years

Models whose owners name this code (4). Years link to the model year problems page.

Model	Years	Complaints
Chevrolet Malibu	2015, 2020	4
Chevrolet Sonic	2015	2
Buick Terraza	2005	1
Chevrolet Express 3500	2004	1

Components named together with the code

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

Air bags 5
Electrical system 3
Electronic stability control 2
Service brakes 2
Seat belts 1
Steering 1

Complaints by model year

2004 1
2005 1
2015 5
2020 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.

Car had airbag light come on. The veh was diagnosed with air bag - control module: C0196 C0186 C0287 B101D.. Need to start with replacing air bag control module .. Codes are all history codes.. Intermittent issue.. Could have other issues as well.
Chevrolet Malibu 2015 · 2021-02
The vehicle was taken to midway motors chevrolet hutchinson (1200 e 30th ave, hutchinson, [ZIP], [phone]) where it was diagnosed. The contact was informed that the diagnostic tool retrieved four fault codes: B101D, C0186, C0196, and C0287.
Chevrolet Malibu 2015 · 2019-10
When the vehicle was started, we noticed that the air bag warning sensor illuminated without warning. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (chevrolet -5925 us 90/ milton, [ZIP]) where it was diagnosed that the failure codes (dtc C0186, C0196, C0287) appeared.
Chevrolet Sonic 2015 · 2018-12

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.