OBD2 Car ScannerWhat does B0038 mean?
B0038 stands for Second Row Right Side Airbag Deployment Control (Subfault). A body control module has found a fault in a comfort or safety system such as airbags, lights, doors, seats or climate control.
Body codes cover the airbags, seats, lights, doors and comfort systems. When the car's computer sees a reading outside its normal range, it stores this code and may turn on a warning light on the dashboard.
Common causes
- Damaged wiring or a loose connector (often under seats)
- Faulty switch, sensor or motor
- Low battery voltage
- Faulty body control module
What to do
- Read all stored and pending codes with a scanner. Several codes together often point to one cause.
- Note the freeze frame data (speed, temperature, load) recorded when the code was set.
- Inspect the wiring and connectors of the part named in the code for damage, corrosion or looseness.
- Fix the most likely and cheapest cause first, then clear the code and drive to see if it comes back.
Read this code from your own car
Plug in a cheap ELM327 adapter and the app shows every fault code, what it means and how to fix it.
Frequently asked questions
What does B0038 mean?
B0038 means “Second Row Right Side Airbag Deployment Control (Subfault)”. It belongs to the body system group: A body control module has found a fault in a comfort or safety system such as airbags, lights, doors, seats or climate control.
Is it safe to drive with B0038?
You can usually drive carefully for a short time, but fix it soon to avoid further damage or higher fuel use.
How do I clear B0038?
Fix the cause, then clear the code with an OBD2 scanner or app. If the fault is still there, the code will come back.
Related codes
- B0030Second Row Left Side Airbag Deployment Control (Subfault)
- B0031Second Row Left Frontal Stage 1 Deployment Control (Subfault)
- B0032Second Row Left Frontal Stage 2 Deployment Control (Subfault)
- B0033Second Row Left Frontal Stage 3 Deployment Control (Subfault)
- B0039Second Row Right Frontal Stage 1 Deployment Control (Subfault)
- B003ASecond Row Right Frontal Stage 2 Deployment Control (Subfault)
- B003BSecond Row Right Frontal Stage 3 Deployment Control (Subfault)
- B0040Third Row Left Side Airbag Deployment Control (Subfault)
Code meanings can vary by manufacturer. This page is general guidance, not a repair manual. Always confirm the cause before replacing parts.