Seat Belt Systems: Description and Operation

SAFETY BELT SYSTEM

WARNING: All safety belt assemblies (including retractors, belt tension sensor [BTS], if equipped, buckles, shoulder belt height adjusters [if equipped], child safety seat tether attachments and attaching hardware) should be inspected after every collision. All new belt assemblies should be installed unless a qualified technician finds the assemblies show no damage and operate correctly. Belt assemblies not in use during a collision should also be inspected and new assemblies installed if either damage or incorrect operation is noted. Failure to follow these instructions could increase the risk of injury in collisions.

NOTE: If equipped, the second and third row rear center safety belt retractors may be equipped with a web stop button (small, thin, round button) located on the safety belt webbing. This button is only used for vehicle assembly and serves no other functional purpose. The button can possibly be retracted under the trim bezel making it difficult to pull the safety belt webbing out of the retractor. To service, remove this web stop button. Do not replace the safety belt retractor to eliminate this condition. Any resulting appearance concerns with the webbing can be worked out by hand.

All outboard safety belts, and second and third row center safety belts (if equipped) are continuous-loop, 3-point systems. The combination lap and shoulder belt (continuous-loop) uses a common slip tongue and retractor.

The shoulder harness retractor is designed to let the webbing move freely in and out at all times, except during vehicle hard braking, hard cornering or impact of 8 km/h (5 mph) or more, when it is automatically locked by a mechanically actuated inertia sensor.

When replacing safety belt buckles and/or retractor assemblies, use only the replacement parts specified in the Ford Customer Service Division Master Parts and Accessories Catalog.

Active Restraint System Components
The active restraint system consists of the following components in the locations described.
- Driver and front row outboard passenger safety belt buckle pretensioners, attached to the front seats.
- Front row outboard safety belt retractor, attached to the B-pillar sheet metal behind the trim panel.
- Front row center safety belt, with 60/40 bench seat, attached on top of the rear inboard 60 percent seat.
- Front row center safety belt buckle, with 60/40 bench seat, attached to the floor pan under the 60 percent seat.
- Front row safety belt shoulder height adjuster, attached to the B-pillar sheet metal behind the trim panel.
- Second row outboard safety belt retractor, attached to the quarter panel sheet metal behind the trim panel.
- Second row inboard safety belt retractor, with 20 percent seat, attached to the seat backrest frame.
- Second row inboard safety belt buckle, with 20 percent seat, attached to the side of the seat.
- Second row outboard safety belt buckle, attached to the side of the seat.
- Second row 40/20/40 seating, having child safety seat tether anchors welded to the seat cushion frame at all seating positions.
- Second row 40 percent bucket seats, having child safety seat tether anchors welded to the seat cushion frame at both seating positions.
- Second row 40/20/40 seating, having LATCH welded to the seat at all 3 seating positions.
- Second row 40 percent bucket seats, having LATCH welded to the seat cushion frame at both seating positions.
- Third row outboard safety belt retractor, attached to the D-pillar sheet metal behind the trim panel.
- Third row inboard safety belt retractor, attached to the 60 percent seat backrest frame.
- Third row RH safety belt buckle, attached to the side of the seat.
- Third row LH and center safety belt buckle assembly, attached to the floor pan under the 60 percent third row seat.
- Third row center child safety seat tether anchor, bolted to the 60 percent seat backrest frame.