Child Restraint: Description and Operation

Safety Belt System

WARNING: After any crash, all of the following safety belt assemblies and attaching hardware must be inspected by an authorized dealer to verify correct function:
- Retractors
- Buckles
- Belt tension sensor (BTS) (if equipped)
- Front safety belt buckle support assemblies (slide bar) (if equipped)
- Safety belt shoulder belt height adjusters (if equipped)
- Child safety seat tether bracket assemblies
- Automatic locking retractor (ALR) feature for child safety seats (passenger seating positions only)

If any safety belt assembly is damaged, does not operate correctly or does not pass all of the Functional Tests in the Diagnosis and Testing, a new safety belt assembly must be installed. If any safety belt assembly attaching areas are damaged or distorted, the sheet metal must be restored to its original structural integrity and new safety belt assembly and attaching hardware must be installed. Failure to install new safety belt assemblies and attaching hardware may increase the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.

After any crash that results in deployment of the driver and/or front outboard passenger safety belt pretensioners, new driver and/or front outboard passenger safety belt systems (including retractors, buckles and height adjusters) must be installed. Failure to install new safety belt systems increases the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.

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.


The active restraint system consists of the following serviceable items:

- Front row safety belt buckles and pretensioners, attached to the inboard side of the seats.
- Front row safety belt retractors and pretensioners, located behind the lower B-pillar trim panels.
- The Belt Tension Sensor (BTS) located at the passenger front safety belt anchor point.
- Second row outboard safety belt retractors, located behind the rear quarter trim panels.
- Second row 60/40 seat center safety belt retractor and LH safety belt buckle assembly integrated into the 60 percent seat back.
- Second row dual safety belt buckle assembly for the 60/40 seat attached to the floorpan under the RH seat cushion.
- Second row lower anchors and tethers for children at all outboard seating positions, welded to the seat backrest frame.
- The child safety seat tether anchors attached to the roof near the rear liftgate door.


Child Safety Seat Restraints

The child safety seat restraints include the following items:

- Child safety seat tether anchors.
- Non-serviceable lower anchor and tether for children welded to the seat cushion frame.

If a child safety seat was in use during a collision, inspect the child safety seat component mounting areas and repair any damage and restore the vehicle to the original production configuration.