Ford Transit Connect (2016 year). Manual — part 9

The front passenger sensing system is
designed to disable (will not inflate) the
front passenger frontal airbag when 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 OFF
indicator lamp will illuminate and stay
illuminated to remind you that the front
passenger frontal airbag is disabled.

•

If the child restraint has been installed
and the passenger airbag status
indicator illuminates the ON lamp, then
turn 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 ON
indicator lamp will be unlit and stay
unlit.

If a person of adult size is sitting in the front
passenger seat, but the airbag OFF
indicator lamp is illuminated, it is possible
that the person is not sitting properly in the
seat. If this happens:
•

Turn the vehicle off and ask the person
to place the seatback in the full 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 will allow the system to
detect that person and enable the
passenger frontal airbag.

•

If the OFF indicator lamp remains
illuminated even after this, the person
should be advised to ride in the rear
seat.

Passenger airbag

Passenger airbag OFF indic-

ator

Occupant

Disabled

OFF: Lit

Empty

ON: Unlit

Disabled

OFF: Lit

Child

ON: Unlit

Enabled

OFF: Unlit

Adult

ON: Lit

Note: When the passenger airbag OFF light
is illuminated, 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 safety belts, it is very
important that they continue to sit
properly. A properly seated occupant sits
upright, leaning against the seat back, 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 is greatly
increased.

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 seatback.

•

Objects stowed in the seatback 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.

Make sure the front passenger
sensing system is operating
properly. See Crash Sensors

and Airbag Indicator (page 43).

If the airbag readiness light is illuminated,
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.

•

Turn 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 (page
175).

SIDE AIRBAGS

WARNINGS

Do not place objects or mount
equipment on or near the airbag
cover, on the side of the seatbacks

(of the front seats), or in front seat areas
that may come into contact with a
deploying airbag. Failure to follow these
instructions may increase the risk of
personal injury in the event of a crash.

Do not use accessory seat covers.
The use of accessory seat covers
may prevent the deployment of the

side airbags and increase the risk of injury
in an accident.

Do not lean your head on the door.
The side airbag could injure you as it
deploys from the side of the

seatback.

Do not attempt to service, repair, or
modify the airbag, its fuses or the
seat cover on a seat containing an

airbag as you could be seriously injured or
killed. Contact your authorized dealer as
soon as possible.

If the side airbag has deployed, the
airbag will not function again. The
side airbag system (including the

seat) must be inspected and serviced by
an authorized dealer. If the airbag is not
replaced, the unrepaired area will increase
the risk of injury in a crash.

The side airbags are located on the
outboard side of the seatbacks of the front
seats. In certain sideways crashes, the
airbag on the side affected by the crash
will be inflated. The airbag was designed
to inflate between the door panel and
occupant to further enhance the protection
provided occupants in side impact crashes.

E152533

The system consists of the following:
•

A label or embossed side panel
indicating that side airbags are fitted
to your vehicle.

•

Side airbags located inside the driver
and front passenger seatbacks.

•

Front passenger sensing system.

•

Crash sensors and monitoring system
with readiness indicator. See Crash
Sensors and Airbag Indicator (page
43).

Note: The passenger sensing system will
deactivate the passenger seat-mounted
side airbag if it detects an empty passenger
seat.

The design and development of the side
airbag system included recommended
testing procedures that were developed
by a group of automotive safety experts
known as the Side Airbag Technical
Working Group. These recommended
testing procedures help reduce the risk of
injuries related to the deployment of side
airbags.

SAFETY CANOPY™

WARNINGS

Do not place objects or mount
equipment on or near the headliner
at the siderail that may come into

contact with a deploying curtain airbag.
Failure to follow these instructions may
increase the risk of personal injury in the
event of a crash.

Do not lean your head on the door.
The curtain airbag could injure you
as it deploys from the headliner.

Do not attempt to service, repair, or
modify the curtain airbags, its fuses,
the A, B, C, or D pillar trim, or the

headliner on a vehicle containing curtain
airbags as you could be seriously injured
or killed. Contact your authorized dealer
as soon as possible.

All occupants of your vehicle
including the driver should always
wear their safety belts even when an

airbag supplemental restraint system and
curtain airbag is provided. Failure to
properly wear your safety belt could
seriously increase the risk of injury or death.

To reduce risk of injury, do not
obstruct or place objects in the
deployment path of the curtain

airbag.

If the curtain airbags have deployed,
the curtain airbags will not function
again. The curtain airbags (including

the A, B, C and D pillar trim and headliner)
must be inspected and serviced by an
authorized dealer. If the curtain airbag is
not replaced, the unrepaired area will
increase the risk of injury in a crash.

The Safety Canopy will deploy during
significant side crashes or when a certain
likelihood of a rollover event is detected
by the rollover sensor. The Safety Canopy
is mounted to the roof side-rail sheet
metal, behind the headliner, above each
row of seats. In certain sideways crashes
or rollover events, the Safety Canopy will
be activated, regardless of which seats are
occupied. The Safety Canopy is designed
to inflate between the side window area
and occupants to further enhance
protection provided in side impact crashes
and rollover events.

E75004

The system consists of the following:
•

Safety canopy curtain airbags located
above the trim panels over the front
and rear side windows identified by a
label or wording on the headliner or
coat hook.

•

A flexible headliner which opens above
the side doors to allow air curtain
deployment.

•

The crash sensors and monitoring
system have a readiness indicator. See
Crash Sensors and Airbag Indicator
(page 43).