Safety Belt Buckle and Pretensioner

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Ford RV Cutaway, 2008 Ford Econoline, 2008 Ford E450 Super Duty, and 2008 Ford Cutaway. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

All vehicles have a pretensioner system used with the front safety belt buckles. This works in conjunction with the front air bag system mounted in the steering wheel and instrument panel.

The safety belt buckle and pretensioners are for the front outboard occupants, located on the inboard side of the seats. This allows the front safety belt buckle end to move with the front seat.

The safety belt buckle and pretensioner is a pyrotechnic device that removes excess webbing from the safety belt system. When the front air bag system is deployed, the pretensioner in the buckle deploys, causing the buckle to move downward, pulling excess webbing from the lap and shoulder safety belts.

If the vehicle is involved in a collision that results in deployment of the front air bags and safety belt pretensioners, the driver and passenger seat belt system (including safety belt buckle and pretensioners, safety belt retractors and shoulder height adjusters) must be replaced.

If the ignition switch is turned to the ON or START position with the safety belt buckle pretensioner electrical connector(s) disconnected, the DTC and fault PID for an open circuit will be activated.

For safety belt buckle pretensioner diagnosis and disposal information, refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM article.