WARNING   WARNING:  Even with advanced restraints systems, properly restrain children 12 and under in a rear seating position. Failure to follow this could seriously increase the risk of injury or death.
WARNING   WARNING:  Sitting improperly, out of position or with the seatback reclined too far can take weight off the seat cushion and affect the decision of the passenger sensing system, resulting in serious injury or death in the event of a crash. Always sit upright against your seat back, with your feet on the floor.
WARNING   WARNING:  Any alteration or modification to the front passenger seat may affect the performance of the front passenger sensing system. This could seriously increase the risk of injury or death.

This system works with sensors that are part of the front passenger seat and seatbelt to detect the presence of a properly-seated occupant and determine if the front passenger frontal airbag should be enabled (may inflate) or not.
Front Passenger Sensing System
The front passenger sensing system uses a passenger airbag status indicator that illuminates indicating that the front passenger frontal airbag is either ON (enabled) or OFF (disabled).
The indicator lamp is in the center stack of the instrument panel.
Note:   The passenger airbag status indicator OFF and ON indicator lamps illuminate for a short period of time when you first switch the ignition on to confirm they are functional.
The front passenger sensing system is designed to disable (will not inflate) the front passenger frontal airbag when the front passenger seat is unoccupied, or a rear facing infant seat, a forward-facing child restraint, or a booster seat is detected. Even with this technology, parents are strongly encouraged to always properly restrain children in the rear seat. The sensor also turns off the passenger front airbag and seat-mounted side airbag when the passenger seat is empty.
  • When the front passenger sensing system disables (will not inflate) the front passenger frontal airbag, the passenger airbag status indicator illuminates the OFF lamp and stays lit to remind you that the front passenger frontal airbag is disabled.
  • If you have installed the child restraint and the passenger airbag status indicator illuminates the ON lamp, then switch the vehicle off, remove the child restraint from the vehicle and reinstall the restraint following the child restraint manufacturer's instructions.
The front passenger sensing system is designed to enable (may inflate) the front passenger frontal airbag anytime the system senses that a person of adult size is sitting properly in the front passenger seat.
  • When the front passenger sensing system enables the front passenger frontal airbag (may inflate), the passenger airbag status indicator illuminates the ON lamp and remains illuminated.
If a person of adult size is sitting in the front passenger seat, but the airbag off indicator lamp is lit, it is possible that the person is not sitting properly in the seat. If this happens:
  • Switch the vehicle off and ask the person to place the seat backrest in an upright position.
  • Have the person sit upright in the seat, centered on the seat cushion, with the person’s legs comfortably extended.
  • Restart the vehicle and have the person remain in this position for about two minutes. This allows the system to detect that person and enable the passenger frontal airbag.
  • If the indicator OFF lamp remains lit even after this, advise the person to ride in the rear seat.

Occupant   Passenger Airbag Status Indicator   Passenger Airbag  
Empty   OFF: Lit   Disabled  
ON: Unlit  
Child   OFF: Lit   Disabled  
ON: Unlit  
Adult   OFF: Unlit   Enabled  
ON: Lit  

Note:   When the passenger airbag status indicator OFF light illuminates, the passenger (seat mounted) side airbag may be disabled to avoid the risk of airbag deployment injuries.
After all occupants have adjusted their seats and put on seatbelts, it is very important that they continue to sit properly. A properly seated occupant sits upright, leaning against the seat backrest, and centered on the seat cushion, with their feet comfortably extended on the floor. Sitting improperly can increase the chance of injury in a crash event. For example, if an occupant slouches, lies down, turns sideways, sits forward, leans forward or sideways, or puts one or both feet up, the chance of injury during a crash greatly increases.
If you think that the status of the passenger airbag off indicator lamp is incorrect, check for the following:
  • Objects lodged underneath the seat.
  • Objects between the seat cushion and the center console.
  • Objects hanging off the seat backrest.
  • Objects stowed in the seat backrest map pocket.
  • Objects placed on the occupant's lap.
  • Cargo interference with the seat
  • Other passengers pushing or pulling on the seat.
  • Rear passenger feet and knees resting or pushing on the seat.
The conditions listed above may cause the weight of a properly seated occupant to be incorrectly interpreted by the front passenger sensing system. The person in the front passenger seat may appear heavier or lighter due to the conditions described in the list above.
Airbag  Make sure the front passenger sensing system is operating properly.   See   Crash Sensors and Airbag Indicator. 
If the airbag readiness light is lit, do the following:
The driver and adult passengers should check for objects lodged underneath the front passenger seat, or cargo interfering with the seat.
If there are lodged objects, or cargo is interfering with the seat, take the following steps to remove the obstruction:
  • Pull the vehicle over.
  • Switch the vehicle off.
  • Driver and adult passengers should check for any objects lodged underneath the front passenger seat or cargo interfering with the seat.
  • Remove the obstruction(s) (if found).
  • Restart the vehicle.
  • Wait at least two minutes and verify that the airbag readiness light is no longer illuminated.
  • If the airbag readiness light remains illuminated, this may or may not be a problem due to the front passenger sensing system.
Do not attempt to repair or service the system. Take your vehicle immediately to an authorized dealer.
If it is necessary to modify an advanced front airbag system to accommodate a person with disabilities, contact the Ford Customer Relationship Center.   See   Getting the Services You Need. 

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