Front passenger front air bag is deactivated

(PAD) Indicator Light

The Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag Off (PAD) indicator light (yellow light located on the upper sport stripe) tells the driver and front passenger when the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag is deactivated. The PAD indicator light illuminates the words "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" to show that the front air bag will not deploy in a collision. If the front passenger seat is empty, or when very light objects are placed on the seat and the seat belt is not fastened, the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag will not deploy even though the PAD indicator light is NOT illuminated.

The PAD indicator light should NOT illuminate when an adult passenger is properly seated in the front passenger seat. The driver and adult passenger must make sure the PAD indicator light is not illuminated when an adult is riding in the front passenger seat. If an adult is not seated properly, the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag may deactivate, and the PAD indicator light will illuminate.

The PAD indicator light should illuminate and the front passenger front air bag should be deactivated for the most proper seating of children on the passenger seat and for the most properly installed child restraint systems. However, under certain conditions, even with a properly installed child restraint system, the PAD indicator light may not illuminate even though the passenger Advanced Front Air Bag is deactivated. This may occur if the child restraint is lighter than the lightest weight required to illuminate the PAD indicator light. NEVER assume that the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag is deactivated if the PAD indicator light illuminates together with the words "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF".

NOTE:

If the seat belt is fastened for an empty seat, the PAD indicator light will illuminate.

If the PAD indicator light remains illuminated with an adult passenger:

If an adult passenger is seated in the front passenger seat and the PAD indicator light is illuminated, the passenger may be seated improperly. Perform the following steps to allow the OCS to detect the adult passenger's weight to activate the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag:

1. 1
   Turn the vehicle off and ask the adult passenger to exit the vehicle.
2. 2
   Remove all extra items from the passenger seat, such as cushions, pads, seat covers, seat massagers, blankets, extra clothing, etc.
3. 3
   Set the seatback to the upright position.
4. 4
   Seat the adult passenger in the center of the seat, with the passenger's feet comfortably on or near the floor, and with the back against the seatback.
5. 5
   Restart the vehicle and ask the passenger to remain in this seated position for two to three minutes after restarting the vehicle.

• If the PAD indicator light remains illuminated for an adult passenger, contact an authorized dealer immediately to service the air bag system. Failure to do so may result in serious injury or death. If the PAD indicator light illuminates with the words "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF", the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag will not deploy in a collision.
• Never install a rear-facing child restraint in front of an airbag. A deploying front passenger airbag can cause death or serious injury to a child 12 years old or younger, including a child in a rear-facing child restraint.
• Never install a rear-facing child restraint in a vehicle seat in front of an airbag. Use a rear-facing child restraint only in the rear seat. If the vehicle does not have a rear seat, do not transport a rear-facing child restraint in this vehicle.
• Children 12 years old and younger must always ride properly restrained in the rear seat of the vehicle.

Lighter weight passengers (including small adults)

When a lighter weight passenger, including a small adult, occupies the passenger seat, the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag may be deactivated. Therefore, the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag may or may not be activated for a lighter weight passenger, including a small adult (depending on size), who is seated in the passenger seat. This does not mean the OCS is malfunctioning.

The driver and passenger must always use the PAD indicator light as the determination of whether the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag is activated or deactivated. If the PAD indicator light illuminates with the words "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" when an adult is in the front passenger seat, change the passenger's body position in the seat until the PAD indicator light goes out.

If the PAD indicator illuminates along with the message "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF", the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag will not deploy in a collision.

Do not decrease or increase the weight of the front passenger seated on the Front Passenger Seat.

The weight of the front passenger must be correctly positioned on the front passenger seat. Failure to do so may result in serious injury or death. The OCS determines the most likely classification of the occupant it detects. The OCS may detect a decreased or increased seated weight of the front passenger, which may result in deactivation or activation of the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag in a collision. This does not mean that the OCS is malfunctioning. Decreasing the weight of the front passenger seated on the front passenger seat may result in deactivation of the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag, which could cause serious injury or death. Increasing the weight of the front passenger seated on the front passenger seat may result in activation of the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag. Examples of incorrect front passenger seating positions include:

• The weight of the front passenger is transferred to another part of the vehicle (for example, the door, armrest or instrument panel).
• The front passenger is leaning forward, sideways, or turned to face the rear of the vehicle.
• The front passenger seat backrest is not in the full upright position.
• The front passenger is carrying or holding an object while seated (for example, a backpack, box, etc.).
• Objects are wedged under the front passenger seat.
• Objects are wedged between the front passenger seat and the center console.
• Accessories that can change the seated weight on the front passenger seat are attached to the front passenger seat.
• Anything that may decrease or increase the seated weight of the front passenger.

The OCS determines the most likely classification. If an occupant in the front passenger seat is incorrectly seated, the occupant may send an output signal to the OCS that differs from the signal of a correctly seated occupant, for example:

Sitting incorrectly

Sitting incorrectly

Sitting incorrectly

Sitting incorrectly

• If a child restraint system, child, small adolescent or adult in the front passenger seat is seated incorrectly, the occupant may provide an output signal to the OCS that differs from the correct seated weight input. This may result in serious injury or death in a collision.
• Always wear the seat belt and sit properly: with the seatback in the upright position, back against the seatback, sitting upright, facing forward, centered on the seat, with feet resting comfortably on or near the floor.
• Do not wear or hold any objects (for example, backpacks, boxes, etc.) while seated in the front passenger seat. Holding an object may provide an output signal to the OCS that differs from the seated weight input of an occupant, which may result in serious injury or death in a collision.

Airbag Warning LightThe light will illuminate whenever the OCS cannot classify the front passenger seat occupant status.

A malfunction in the OCS may affect the operation of the air bag system. If the Air Bag Warning Lightdoes not come on when the ignition is turned on, stays on after the engine is started, or illuminates while driving, take the vehicle to an authorized dealer for service immediately.

• Ignoring the air bag warning light on your instrument panel may mean that you will not have air bags to protect you in a collision. If the light does not illuminate as a bulb check when the ignition is first turned on, stays on after the engine is started, or illuminates while driving, have an authorized dealer service the air bag system immediately.
• Placing an object on the floor under the front passenger seat may cause the OCS to malfunction, which may result in serious injury or death in a collision. Do not place any objects on the floor under the front passenger seat.
• If a malfunction is present in the OCS, both the PAD indicator and the Air Bag Warning Light will illuminate, indicating that the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag is deactivated. If this occurs, the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag will remain deactivated until the malfunction is corrected. This indicates that you must take the vehicle to an authorized dealer for service immediately.

The passenger seat assembly contains important OCS components that can affect the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag system. For the OCS to correctly classify the seated weight of the front passenger seat, the OCS components must function as designed. Do not make any modifications to the front passenger seat components, assembly, or seat cover. If the seat, trim, or cushion requires service for any reason, take the vehicle to an authorized dealer. Only FCA US LLC approved seat accessories may be used.

The following requirements must be strictly followed:

• Do not modify the front passenger seat assembly or components in any way.
• Do not use seat covers or cushions from previous or future model years, or those not specified by FCA US LLC for the specific vehicle being serviced. Always use the correct seat cover and cushion specified for the vehicle.
• Do not replace the seat cover or seat cushion with an aftermarket seat cover or cushion.
• Do not add an additional seat cover or mat.
• Under no circumstances should any Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) component or SRS-related component or fastener be modified or replaced with any part other than those approved by FCA US LLC.

Knee Bolsters

Knee bolsters help protect the driver's and front passenger's knees and position the front occupants to improve their interaction with the front airbags.

• Never drill, cut, or otherwise modify the knee bolsters.
• Do not install any accessories on the knee bolsters, such as warning lights, stereo systems, citizens band radios, etc.