Airbag Light On? How to Fix Code B1448/B1447 Hyundai Sonata/Elantra/Santa Fe/Accent

Need to learn how to fix your airbag light on your Hyundai vehicle? Are you getting a fault code B1448 (or B1447)? Is the passenger seat empty, yet the passenger air bag light indicator near the radio off, but your air bag light on the dashboard on? Well, then this video is for you. If I can do it...you can do it!
-The code B1448 indicates that there is a problem with the OCS (Occupant Classification System). Specifically, there is a sensor in the front passenger seat that tells the car someone is sitting in that seat. The code indicates that the sensor is most likely faulty. There is a device (the emulator in the video) that just plugs in under the passenger seat where that broken sensor plugs into. The emulator just tells the car that there is ALWAYS someone in the passenger seat. Please note this will cause the passenger air bag to go off in a collision regardless of whether or not someone is in the passenger seat. This is a much cheaper/easier fix than replacing that sensor, whether via DIY or a mechanic.
-This video is certainly on the longer side; feel free to skip around. I'd rather the viewer have more than enough tips/tricks to tackle this job. If the cost is to make you suffer through more of my talking, then so be it.
-The vehicle I worked on in this video was a 2008 Hyundai Sonata GLS
Helpful Links:
-Dewalt Full Socket Set: amzn.to/3mszL6w
-Gearwrench Flexhead Ratchet Set: amzn.to/33NUwCZ
-Airbag360 Emulator for the 2008 Hyundai sonata used in the video (make sure you get the one for YOUR car): airbag360.com/55---usa-hyunda...
-If I forgot something, just ask me below
-(As an Amazon Associate, I may receive a small commission for qualified purchases using the Amazon links above; it does NOT affect the price you pay in any manner)
-If you're interested in checking out my other videos - which include CAR REPAIRS and FIREARMS CONTENT, with some of my older content centering around ELECTRONIC MUSIC MIXES, AIRSOFT, and some other MISCELLANEOUS things, then click this link: / elitekickboxer
-I'm also on IG: Scott_Fiala

[@matthewhayes7330]

This worked perfectly for me on my daughter's 2007 Hyundai Sonata. I ordered the part directly from Airbag 360 and the cost is $74.99 as of July 2024.

[@TrevUSA]

I took the risk and bought the device. I installed it today without even removing the seat. It works! Bought the 07 sonata version for a 07 sonata. Verified the code on my airbag capable scantool and cleared the airbag code history after installing the emulator. No more airbag light. No problem.

[@mubarekali6517]

Hi Vextor, am about to buy 2007 Hyundai with the same problem, can you tell me where you buy the emulator

[@notrubbelac]

I’m gonna try this out. Just ordered the emulator! The dealership wanted $2745 to fix this!

[@TRG972]

Emulator seems to be a good option if you don't want to take seat apart. However, I chose to replace the sensor using one from a salvage yard. They only charged me $10 for it and was relatively easy to replace. I already had hog ring pliers and some spare hog rings to re-attach seat cover. If you get a replacement sensor from a junkyard , just be sure to get one that has 'SW 6.1.1' version on the ID tag.

[@mikezam7671]

I have the same problem with sonata 2011,, where I can buy the sensor please, thanks

[@joelbassa4876]

Could be applied to Tucson ?

[@mistyblair1984]

I need one for hyundia accent 2014 anyone help, can't find. Thanks

[@jmjz3488]

how about for hyundai tucson? it illuminates sometime and im not touching the steering wheel

[@ELITEkickBOXER]

Unfortunately the site I used didn't have one for your model car. Sorry about that

[@zuck9090]

Thanks dude im gonna try this. If its a 1448 code, its pretty reasonable to assume its the sensors and not the wires, I believe. However, sometimes disconnecting and reconnecting the wires will temporarily fix the issue. Do you agree? I dont actually know but 1448 seems like such a specific code..Ive gotten it turn off before by jiggling wires but now that doesnt work.

[@ELITEkickBOXER]

In my completely unprofessional opinion, disconnecting/reconnecting and/or turning off/on electronics is always a good step in troubleshooting an electrical problem. However, with something like this, I genuinely don't know if that would work. Could it, temporarily? I suppose. But again, I'm merely a KZbinr and not a professional. I don't think it hurts to try, especially if a connection is just loose.

[@danielf1016]

Does work with 2006 Kia Sorento has the problem code b1448

[@ELITEkickBOXER]

It certainly should. Use this link for your specific car (but certainly verify yourself): airbag360.com/kia-sorento-passenger-airbag--sensor--occupant-classification-sensor--b1448-ocs-mat-defective--320-p.asp

[@noahwilliams866]

2007 Hyundai Entourage??

[@jerryloiacono112]

whats the part # tks, jerry

[@murali7815]

Hello. Will the vehicle pass inspection with the emulator? I mean will someone look underneath?

[@ELITEkickBOXER]

I'm just a KZbinr, but I see no reason why they would.

[@edinamaya4471]

Does this fit to a 2002 Hyundai gls

[@ELITEkickBOXER]

What model car is it? I know the year and trim level, but is it an Elantra, Santa Fe, Sonata, etc?

[@momsgirl2727]

Do you think this will work on my 2007 Hyundai sonata?

[@ELITEkickBOXER]

I think it can fix the problem if your issue is the same as mine here. Going to the website, I see that your car uses the exact same emulator device as the one I used. This link should take you to the proper one (though of course verify yourself that your car is what this is made for): airbag360.com/55---usa-hyundai-sonata--06-08-front-seat-b1448-occupant-classification-sensor-ocs-emulator-175-p.asp

[@momsgirl2727]

I meant to say once I install it do I need to go to the service station and have them reset the code or will it automatically reset on its own?

[@ELITEkickBOXER]

@@momsgirl2727 I honestlt cannot give you an answer. What I can say is that once you install it, you can disconnect the battery completely for 10 minutes, then reconnect it and see if it goes away. In addition, you can also just drive the car for a day or two (even if you did what was discussed in the aforementioned sentence). If after doing both things the light is still on, I would see if you can find an auto store or mechanic or friend that would be willing to reset the code.

[@linthakidd]

I bought this device and used it but airbag light still on, could the driver seat need it instead or is it only the passenger seat that shows this code?

[@ELITEkickBOXER]

As I'm not a professional mechanic, I would take what I'm about to say with a grain of salt. A couple questions: do you know for a fact your car is showing a B1448 code (i.e., did you use some type of diagnostic tool, or are you strictly going by the light)? Is the device you bought/installed made for your car specifically? Did you install it correctly? Are the connections (i.e., wires) between your car and the device sound? (In other words, are the wires in good condition, etc.?) Did I mention some type of "reset" procedure at the end of the video to turn the light off? (I cannot remember off hand.) Are there other lights on, an/or is the passenger airbag light on? From what I understand, B1448 is specific to the passenger airbag [sensor].

[@linthakidd]

@@ELITEkickBOXER yes I got a diagnostic and they found the code b1448 seat occupant sensor so I bought the device which did make the car think someone is constantly sitting in it but airbag light was still on after, any idea what could be the problem?

[@ELITEkickBOXER]

@@linthakidd Just a couple of questions: did you install it properly to the best of your knowledge? are the wires getting pinched or do they look broken anywhere? have you disconnected the battery and waited at least 10 minutes before you reconnected it? (if you're able to, did you "reset" the car using the diagnostic tool to basically "clear the code"?) have you tried to read the car now, after you installed it to see what it says (unless it still says the same thing)? are you sure the product you bought is 100% compatible/made for your particular car?

[@97warlock]

I cant figure WHY there would be a sensor in the seat.......for the airbag. So ina collision if you dont leave your seat the bag wont go off? So we must leave the seat for the airbag to blowup,.

[@ELITEkickBOXER]

In a working condition, the sensor essentially tells the car that, if there is someone in the seat, and a collision occurs, to deploy the airbag. And, again in working order, if there is no one in the seat, the sensor reads that and tells the car not to deploy the airbag for THAT specific seat in a collision as it would be a waste since the seat would be occupied. Does that and your question?

[@97warlock]

@@ELITEkickBOXER so..........empty seat=no airbag ?

[@ELITEkickBOXER]

@@97warlock Correct. (And your answer only applies if the sensor is working properly. If it is not, such as when you get the codes above, empty seat = airbag and occupied seat = airbag

[@richardbafford383]

@@ELITEkickBOXER if the indicator displays "airbag off" then the air bag is NOT going to deploy whether there is a person in the seat or Not which is dangerous if there is a person in the seat

[@papabless2023]

Which scanner do you use?

[@ELITEkickBOXER]

I personally used this one because of the free lifetime updates and decent use I can get out of it: LAUNCH CRP129X : amzn.to/3rFbHTo

[@fish7298]

They want $4500.00 to fix problem at the dealership. What do I do junk the car . I just leave it in a yard. 2013 Hyundai Sonata

[@gurmukhsingh666]

Bro buy seat from LKQ online may b 40-50usd

[@gurmukhsingh666]

i installed in my sonata 2008 but light is still on

[@ELITEkickBOXER]

Couple things: (1) was it installed correctly; (2) was the original code B1448 (or B1447); (3) did you fully disconnect the battery for 10 minutes since you installed it; (4) were you able to reset the code with an OBD II scanner (friend's, yours, or local autoshop)

[@gurmukhsingh666]

yeah the code was 1448 but i did not disconnect the battery

[@gurmukhsingh666]

if i will disconnect the battery and reconnect the sensor. will it work ??

[@ELITEkickBOXER]

@@gurmukhsingh666I would ensure the sensor is fully connected (i,e., it's not just halfway in). But I don't see how re-disconnecting it could help. THough it couldn't hurt. I would definitely disconnect the battery for 10 minutes. THink of that as an electrical reset for the car's computer system. Quick, easy, and painless. If that doesn't work, we'll go from there.

[@gurmukhsingh666]

Still light is on

[@gurmukhsingh666]

If your sonata 2008 and has front bumper grill is single then buy 2006-2008 emulator If your sonata bumper has three bar grill then buy 2008-2010 emuLator