Airbag - Passenger

This procedure replaces the passenger-side airbag module in the dashboard of a 2015-2020 Ford F-150, including proper disarming and reactivation of the supplemental restraint system (SRS).

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Passenger airbag module × 1 — Use OEM Ford part number for 2015-2020 F-150
• Airbag module connector retaining clips (if damaged) × 1 — Inspect during removal

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground with wheels straight
2. Turn ignition to OFF position and remove key from vehicle
3. Ensure all doors are unlocked (battery disconnect will disable power locks)
4. Wait for interior temperature to normalize if vehicle was recently operated (dashboard may be hot)
5. Disconnect any battery trickle chargers or maintainers
6. Have replacement airbag module unpacked and inspected for damage before beginning disassembly

Procedure

1. 1

   Disconnect battery and wait for capacitor discharge
   Open hood and locate battery. Using 10mm socket, loosen and remove negative (-) battery terminal bolt. Remove negative cable from battery post and secure it away from terminal so it cannot make contact. Wait a MINIMUM of 2 minutes before proceeding to next step. This waiting period is mandatory for backup capacitor discharge.
   Torque spec

   Battery Terminal Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove glove box assembly
   Open glove box fully. Locate and depress both side stops by squeezing inward on glove box sides to allow it to swing past normal stop position. Lower glove box completely. Remove screws securing glove box hinge to dashboard using appropriate driver. Disconnect glove box damper if equipped and remove glove box assembly completely from vehicle. Set aside in safe location.
   Torque spec

   Dashboard Fasteners4 Nm (3 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Access passenger airbag module area
   Through glove box opening, locate passenger airbag module behind dashboard top surface. Use flashlight to identify airbag module mounting bolts and electrical connectors. You will see two yellow SRS connectors (clock spring side and module side) and Torx mounting bolts. Note routing of wiring harness for reassembly.
4. 4

   Disconnect airbag electrical connectors
   Locate the yellow SRS connector at the airbag module. Press down on the orange locking tab/slider on connector and carefully separate connector halves. Do NOT pull on wires. The connector has a secondary lock that must be released first. Once disconnected, secure connector away from work area to prevent accidental contact. Repeat for second connector if vehicle has dual-stage airbag.
   ⚠Yellow connectors indicate SRS components. Handle with care and never force. Damaged connectors will cause system faults.
5. 5

   Remove passenger airbag mounting fasteners
   Using Torx T30 driver with extension, locate and remove all airbag module mounting bolts. Typical configuration uses 4 bolts, two accessible from each side of the module through the glove box opening and from above through dashboard access points. Support airbag module with other hand while removing final bolt to prevent it from falling.
   ⚠️Always support airbag module during removal to prevent dropping. A dropped module may be damaged internally and could fail to deploy or deploy unexpectedly.
   Torque spec

   Airbag Module Bolts7 Nm (5 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove airbag module from dashboard
   Carefully guide airbag module downward through glove box opening. Module is bulky and may require angling to clear dashboard structure. Once free, immediately place module FACE-UP on a clean, padded surface at least 10 feet away from work area. Never place airbag module face-down or lean anything against deployment side.
   ⚠️CRITICAL: Place removed airbag face-up only. Face-down position can cause projectile hazard if accidental deployment occurs.
7. 7

   Inspect mounting area and connectors
   Examine dashboard mounting surface for cracks, damage, or loose structure. Inspect yellow SRS connectors for corrosion, bent pins, or damage to locking mechanisms. Check wiring harness for chafing, cuts, or other damage. If any damage is found to structural mounting points or wiring, consult professional repair before proceeding.
   ⚠Damaged mounting points may not secure airbag properly, affecting deployment. Damaged wiring can cause non-deployment or unwanted deployment.
8. 8

   Prepare new airbag module
   Remove new airbag module from packaging. Verify part number matches vehicle application and removed module. Inspect new module for any shipping damage. Identify connector locations and mounting bolt holes. Do NOT remove protective covers from connectors until ready to install.
   ⚠Using incorrect airbag module can result in improper deployment angle, force, or timing. Always verify correct part number.
9. 9

   Install new airbag module into dashboard
   Carefully guide new airbag module up through glove box opening and position into dashboard mounting location. Align all mounting bolt holes with dashboard structure. Module must sit flush against mounting surface with no gaps. Thread all mounting bolts by hand first to ensure proper alignment before tightening any bolts.
   Torque spec

   Airbag Module Bolts7 Nm (5 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Torque airbag mounting bolts
    Using torque wrench and Torx T30 bit, tighten all airbag module mounting bolts to 7.0 Nm (5.0 lb-ft) in a cross-pattern sequence. This relatively low torque is critical - over-tightening can damage module housing or mounting brackets. Verify all bolts are secure and module does not move when gently pushed.
    ⚠Do not exceed specified torque. Over-tightening can crack airbag housing, causing deployment failure or gas leakage.
    Torque spec

    Airbag Module Bolts7 Nm (5 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Connect airbag electrical connectors
    Remove protective covers from new airbag module connectors. Align yellow SRS connectors and push together firmly until you hear/feel a distinct click. Engage orange secondary lock by sliding it into locked position. Verify connection is secure by gently pulling on connector body (not wires). Connector should not separate. Repeat for second connector if equipped with dual-stage airbag.
    ⚠Incompletely seated connectors will cause airbag warning light and potential non-deployment. Both primary and secondary locks must engage.
12. 12

    Reinstall glove box assembly
    Position glove box assembly back into dashboard opening. Reconnect glove box damper if equipped. Align glove box hinge with mounting holes and install screws. Tighten screws to 4.0 Nm (3.0 lb-ft). Test glove box operation - it should open and close smoothly with damper providing controlled motion. Verify side stops engage properly.
    Torque spec

    Dashboard Fasteners4 Nm (3 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reconnect battery and clear fault codes
    Return to battery and clean battery terminal posts and cable end if corroded. Reconnect negative battery cable to negative terminal post. Install and tighten battery terminal bolt to 8.0 Nm (6.0 lb-ft). Do NOT start vehicle yet. Connect OBD-II scan tool and turn ignition to ON position (do not start engine). Navigate to SRS system and clear all stored fault codes.
    ⚠If scan tool shows active faults after clearing codes (not just stored/history codes), airbag system has detected a problem. Do not drive vehicle until fault is diagnosed and corrected.
    Torque spec

    Battery Terminal Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Verify airbag system operation
    With ignition in ON position and engine off, observe airbag warning light on instrument cluster. Light should illuminate for approximately 6 seconds during self-test, then extinguish. If light remains on, flashes, or does not illuminate at all, there is a system fault. Use scan tool to read specific fault codes. Start engine and verify airbag light behavior is normal (off during operation).
    ⚠️If airbag warning light does not behave correctly or fault codes persist, airbag system may not deploy in a crash. Vehicle is unsafe to drive until issue is resolved by qualified technician.

Reassembly

1. No additional reassembly required beyond glove box installation described in procedure
2. Ensure glove box operates smoothly and all items removed from glove box are returned
3. Verify no tools or parts were left in dashboard cavity during work

Verification

• Airbag warning light performs normal self-test (illuminates 6 seconds then goes off) with ignition ON
• Airbag warning light remains OFF during engine operation
• Scan tool shows no active SRS fault codes (only history/stored codes from battery disconnect are acceptable)
• Glove box opens and closes normally with proper damper operation
• All mounting bolts were torqued to specification and module is secure
• Both electrical connectors are fully seated with secondary locks engaged
• Test drive vehicle and verify airbag light remains off under all driving conditions
• RECOMMENDED: Have SRS system professionally scanned after 50-100 miles to verify no intermittent faults develop

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

Codes that commonly send this job to the bay — tap one for symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps.

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