B0054 is a body control system code indicating a fault in the second row center seat belt buckle sensor or its associated wiring. This sensor detects whether the center seat belt is fastened and communicates this to the restraint system control module, which controls airbag deployment and seat belt warning systems.
The internal sensor in the belt buckle that detects latch status fails electrically, which is the most common cause of this code.
Wires to the sensor become damaged from repeated bending, pinch points, or corrosion, especially in high-use seating areas.
The electrical connector at the seat belt buckle develops corrosion, bent pins, or broken locks, causing intermittent or no signal.
Physical wear in the buckle mechanism can cause the sensor to report incorrect buckle status even if wiring is sound.
The module that reads the sensor data experiences an internal fault, though this is significantly less common than sensor or wiring failures.
In rare cases, software in the body or restraint control module may misinterpret sensor data, typically addressed via update.
No. While some shops may recommend replacing the supplemental restraint system (SRS) control module for this code, it is almost never the actual cause. The fix is almost always the seat belt buckle sensor, its wiring, or connectors.
Yes, the vehicle will drive normally, but the airbag system may not function correctly in a crash. The airbag warning light indicates the system may not deploy properly or could deploy unexpectedly.
No. Clearing codes without repairing the actual fault will result in the code returning immediately upon startup once the system retests the sensor.
No. The seat belt pretensioner is a separate component. B0054 specifically refers to the buckle switch sensor that detects if the belt is fastened, not the pretensioner mechanism.