Subaru Legacy: Front seatbelt pretensioners

Subaru Legacy: Front seatbelt pretensioners

The driver’s and front passenger’s seatbelts have a seatbelt pretensioner. The seatbelt pretensioners are designed to be activated in the event of an accident involving a moderate to severe frontal collision.

The pretensioner sensor also serves as a SRS frontal airbag sensor. If the sensor detects a certain predetermined amount of force during a frontal collision, the front seatbelt is quickly drawn back in by the retractor to take up the slack so that the belt more effectively restrains the front seat occupant.

When a seatbelt pretensioner is activated, an operating noise will be heard and a small amount of smoke will be released. These occurrences are normal and not harmful. This smoke does not indicate a fire in the vehicle.

Once the seatbelt pretensioner has been activated, the seatbelt retractor remains locked. Consequently, the seatbelt cannot be pulled out and retracted and therefore must be replaced.

NOTE

● Seatbelt pretensioners are not designed to activate in minor frontal impacts, in side or rear impacts or in roll-over accidents.

● The driver’s seat and passenger’s seat pretensioners and frontal airbag operate simultaneously.

● Pretensioners are designed to function on a one-time-only basis. In the event that a pretensioner is activated, both the driver’s and front passenger’s seatbelt retractor assemblies must be replaced and only by an authorized SUBARU dealer. When replacing seatbelt retractor assemblies, use only genuine SUBARU parts.

● If either front seatbelt does not retract or cannot be pulled out due to a malfunction or activation of the pretensioner, contact your SUBARU dealer as soon as possible.

● If the front seatbelt retractor assembly or surrounding area has been damaged, contact your SUBARU dealer as soon as possible.

● When you sell your vehicle, we urge you to explain to the buyer that it has seatbelt pretensioners by alerting the buyer to the contents of this section.

WARNING

● To obtain maximum protection, occupants should sit in an upright position with their seatbelts properly fastened. Refer to “Seatbelts” F1-12.

● Do not modify, remove or strike the front seatbelt retractor assemblies or surrounding area. This could result in accidental activation of the seatbelt pretensioners or could make the system inoperative, possibly resulting in serious injury. Seatbelt pretensioners have no user-serviceable parts. For required servicing of front seatbelt retractors equipped with seatbelt pretensioners, see your nearest SUBARU dealer.

● When discarding front seatbelt retractor assemblies or scrapping the entire vehicle due to collision damage or for other reasons, consult your SUBARU dealer.

• System monitors
• System servicing
• Precautions against vehicle modification

System monitors

SRS airbag system warning light

A diagnostic system continually monitors the readiness of the seatbelt pretensioner while the vehicle is being driven. The seatbelt pretensioners share the control module with the airbag system. Therefore, if any malfunction occurs in a seatbelt pretensioner, the SRS airbag system warning light will illuminate. The SRS airbag system warning light will show normal system operation by illuminating for approximately 6 seconds when the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position.

The following components are monitored by the indicator.

● Front sub sensor (right-hand side)
● Front sub sensor (left-hand side)
● Airbag control module (including impact sensors [all models] and rollover sensors [Outback])
● Frontal airbag module (driver’s side)
● Frontal airbag module (front passenger’s side)
● Center pillar impact sensor (right-hand side)
● Center pillar impact sensor (left-hand side)
● Front door impact sensor (right-hand side)
● Front door impact sensor (left-hand side)
● Side airbag module (driver’s side)
● Side airbag module (front passenger’s side)
● Rear wheel house impact sensor (righthand side)
● Rear wheel house impact sensor (lefthand side)
● Curtain airbag module (right-hand side)
● Curtain airbag module (left-hand side)
● Seatbelt pretensioner (driver’s side)
● Seatbelt pretensioner (front passenger’s side)
● Seatbelt buckle switch (front passenger’s side)
● Front passenger’s occupant detection system weight sensor
● Front passenger’s occupant detection control module
● Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON and OFF indicator
● All related wiring

WARNING

If the warning light exhibits any of the following conditions, there may be a malfunction in the seatbelt pretensioners and/or SRS airbag system. Immediately take your vehicle to your nearest SUBARU dealer to have the system checked. Unless checked and properly repaired, the seatbelt pretensioners and/or SRS airbags will operate improperly (e.g. SRS airbags may inflate in a very minor collision or not inflate in a severe collision), which may increase the risk of injury.

● Flashing or flickering of the warning light

● No illumination of the warning light when the ignition switch is first turned to the “ON” position

● Continuous illumination of the warning light

● Illumination of the warning light while driving

System servicing

WARNING

● When discarding a seatbelt retractor assembly or scrapping the entire vehicle damaged by a collision, consult your SUBARU dealer.

● Tampering with or disconnecting the system’s wiring could result in accidental activation of the seatbelt pretensioner and/or airbag or could make the system inoperative, which may result in serious injury. Do not use electrical test equipment on any circuit related to the seatbelt pretensioner and airbag systems. For required servicing of the seatbelt pretensioner, consult your nearest SUBARU dealer.

CAUTION

The front sub sensors are located in both front fenders and the airbag control module including the impact sensors is located under the center console. If you need service or repair in those areas or near the front seatbelt retractors, have the work performed by your authorized SUBARU dealer.

NOTE

If the front part of the vehicle is damaged in an accident to the extent that the seatbelt pretensioner does not operate, contact your SUBARU dealer as soon as possible.

Precautions against vehicle modification

Always consult your SUBARU dealer if you want to install any accessory parts to your vehicle.

CAUTION

Do not perform any of the following modifications. Such modifications can interfere with proper operation of the seatbelt pretensioners.
● Attachment of any equipment (bush bar, winches, snow plow, skid plate, etc.) other than genuine SUBARU accessory parts to the front end.
● Modification of the suspension system or front end structure.
● Installation of a tire of different size and construction from the tires specified on the vehicle placard attached to the door pillar or specified for individual vehicle models in this Owner’s Manual.

SeatbeltsChild restraint systems