Removal and Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2014 Lincoln MKX and 2014 Ford Edge. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: Always carry a live airbag with the deployment door, trim cover or tear seam pointed away from the body. Do not place a live airbag down with the deployment door, trim cover or tear seam facing down. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious personal injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING: If the seat side airbag cover has been damaged or separated from its mounting, or if the airbag material has been exposed, install a new seat side airbag assembly. Never try to repair the seat side airbag assembly. Failure to follow these instructions may result in the seat side airbag 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 airbags cannot be repaired. A new trim cover must be installed. Cleaning is permissible. Failure to follow these instructions may result in the seat side airbag deploying incorrectly and increase the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.

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.

Remove the front seat. For additional information, refer to SEAT - FRONT .
NOTE: The seat backrest trim cover and foam pad have been removed to show the backrest trim panel retainers.

Remove the backrest trim panel.
1. Release the 2 pin-type retainers at the bottom of the backrest trim panel.
2. Slide the backrest trim panel down to release the upper clips.
3. Turn the backrest trim panel to release the middle clips and remove the backrest trim panel.
  
  Fig 1: Identifying Backrest Trim Panel And Pin-Type Retainers
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: Lower outer J-clips are unfastened to show inner J-clips.

Release the backrest trim cover outer and inner J-clips.

Fig 2: Locating Backrest Trim Cover And J-Clips
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Push the release button in on each of the head restraint guide sleeves and remove the head restraint.
Pull out and remove the 2 head restraint guides.
- Discard the secondary head restraint guide.
  - For assembly, install a new secondary head restraint guide.
NOTE: When installing, make sure the side air bag module wiring harness is not pinched between the side air bag module and backrest frame or damage to the wiring harness can occur.

Through the rear of the seat, remove and discard the 2 side air bag module bolts and separate the side air bag module from the seat backrest.
- For installation, install 2 new side air bag module bolts.
  - Tighten to 23 Nm (17 lb-ft).
NOTE: Do not pull the side air bag module electrical connector out by the locking button. Damage to the locking button can occur.

NOTE: Do not install the side air bag module electrical connector by the locking button. Damage to the locking button can occur.

NOTE: The side air bag module electrical connector locking button must be in the released position when the connector is being installed or connector damage may occur.

NOTE: The side air bag module electrical connector is unique and cannot be reversed when connected to the side air bag module. Match the electrical connector key to the keyway in the side air bag module. Do not force the electrical connector into the side air bag module or damage can occur.

Using a small screwdriver as shown in illustration, lift up and release the locking button on the side air bag module electrical connector. With the locking button released, remove the electrical connector and side air bag module.

Fig 3: Releasing Locking Button On Side Air Bag Module Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: Use care when separating the backrest trim cover from the hook-and-loop strips, or the hook-and-loop strips can be torn from the backrest foam pad.

NOTE: A new heater mat will come assembled on a new foam pad.

Remove the backrest trim cover from the backrest foam pad in the following sequence.
1. Invert the backrest trim cover in an inside out fashion to the wire in the backrest trim cover attached to the clips in the backrest foam pad.
  - Separate the hook-and-loop strips.
2. Separate the backrest trim cover wire from the clips in the backrest foam pad.
  - If equipped with climate controlled seats, on assembly make sure the manifold is in place before snapping the backrest trim cover wire back into the backrest foam pad clips.
3. Remove the backrest trim cover.
  - When installing the backrest trim cover, tuck the hook-and-loop strips into the backrest foam pad trenches last to get the best trim cover appearance.
To install, reverse the removal procedure.