Removal and Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 Mercury Mariner and 2010 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: Never probe the electrical connectors on air bag, Safety Canopy® or side air curtain modules. Failure to follow this instruction may result in the accidental deployment of these modules, which increases the risk of serious personal injury or death.

WARNING: If the seat side air bag cover has been damaged or separated from its mounting, or if the air bag material has been exposed, install a new seat side air bag module. Never try to repair the seat side air bag module. Failure to follow these instructions may result in the seat side air bag deploying incorrectly, which increases the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.

WARNING: Front seat backrest trim covers installed on seats equipped with seat side air bags cannot be repaired. A new trim cover must be installed. Cleaning is permissible. Failure to follow these instructions may result in the seat side air bag module deploying incorrectly and increase the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.

NOTE: If a side air bag deployment took place, a new seat back pad, trim cover and side air bag module and nuts must be installed. The seat back frame should be replaced if necessary.

NOTE: The air bag warning indicator illuminates when the correct Restraints Control Module (RCM) fuse is removed and the ignition switch is ON.

NOTE: The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) must be fully operational and free of faults before releasing the vehicle to the customer.

NOTE: Driver seat shown, passenger seat similar.

Depower the SRS . For additional information, refer to Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Depowering and Repowering in the General Procedures portion of SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) DEPOWERING AND REPOWERING .
Press the buttons and remove the head restraint.

Fig 1: Locating Head Restraint
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: The head restraint guides are not interchangeable.

Pull and remove the 2 head restraint guides.
If equipped, remove the lumbar adjust knob.
Release the J-clip at the bottom of the front seat backrest cover.

Fig 2: Locating Front Seat Backrest Cover J-Clip
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
If equipped, disconnect the backrest heater mat electrical connector and route through the elastic loop in the backrest trim cover.

NOTE: Use care when separating the seat backrest trim cover from the hook-and-loop strip or the hook-and-loop strip can be torn from the seat backrest foam.

Partially invert the backrest cover up to the side air bag.
- Separate the hook-and-loop strips.
Release the side air bag module deployment chute J-clip.

Fig 3: Locating Side Air Bag Module Deployment Chute J-Clip
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

WARNING: Check the seat side air bag deployment chute for damage. The deployment chute must not be repaired. If there is any damage to the deployment chute, a new seat back trim cover and deployment chute must be installed as a unit. Failure to follow these instructions may result in the seat side air bag module deploying incorrectly and increase the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.

Fig 4: Locating Backrest Trim Cover

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Pull the side air bag module deployment chute and J-clips through the opening in the backrest foam pad.
- Note positioning of the deployment chute for correct installation.
Invert and remove the backrest trim cover.

WARNING: If the seat side air bag module deployment chute is not correctly positioned and closed, the seat side air bag module may not deploy correctly. Failure to follow these instructions may result in the seat side air bag module deploying incorrectly and increases the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.

To install, reverse the removal procedure.
Repower the SRS . For additional information, refer to Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Depowering and Repowering in the General Procedures portion of SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) DEPOWERING AND REPOWERING .