
SAFETY215
(Continued)
The first stage inflator is triggered immediately 
during an impact that requires air bag deployment. 
A low energy output is used in less severe 
collisions. A higher energy output is used for more 
severe collisions.
This vehicle may be equipped with a driver and/or 
front passenger seat belt buckle switch that 
detects whether the driver or front passenger seat 
belt is buckled. The seat belt buckle switch may 
adjust the inflation rate of the Advanced Front 
Air Bags.
This vehicle may be equipped with driver and/or 
front passenger seat track position sensors that 
may adjust the inflation rate of the Advanced Front 
Air Bags based upon seat position.
This vehicle is equipped with a right front 
passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) 
that is designed to provide Passenger Advanced 
Front Air Bag output appropriate to the occupant’s 
seated weight input, as determined by the OCS.
Front Air Bag Operation 
Front Air Bags are designed to provide additional 
protection by supplementing the seat belts. Front 
air bags are not expected to reduce the risk of 
injury in rear, side, or rollover collisions. The front 
air bags will not deploy in all frontal collisions, 
including some that may produce substantial 
vehicle damage — for example, some pole 
collisions, truck underrides, and angle offset 
collisions.
On the other hand, depending on the type and 
location of impact, front air bags may deploy in 
crashes with little vehicle front-end damage but 
that produce a severe initial deceleration.
Because air bag sensors measure vehicle 
deceleration over time, vehicle speed and damage 
by themselves are not good indicators of whether 
or not an air bag should have deployed.
Seat belts are necessary for your protection in all 
collisions, and also are needed to help keep you in 
position, away from an inflating air bag.
When the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) 
detects a collision requiring the front air bags, it 
signals the inflator units. A large quantity of 
non-toxic gas is generated to inflate the front 
air bags.
The steering wheel hub trim cover and the upper 
passenger side of the instrument panel separate 
and fold out of the way as the air bags inflate to 
their full size. The front air bags fully inflate in less 
time than it takes to blink your eyes. The front air 
bags then quickly deflate while helping to restrain 
the driver and front passenger.
WARNING!
No objects should be placed over or near the 
air bag on the instrument panel or steering 
wheel because any such objects could cause 
harm if the vehicle is in a collision severe 
enough to cause the air bag to inflate.
Do not put anything on or around the air bag 
covers or attempt to open them manually. You 
may damage the air bags and you could be 
injured because the air bags may no longer be 
functional. The protective covers for the air 
bag cushions are designed to open only when 
the air bags are inflating.
Relying on the air bags alone could lead to 
more severe injuries in a collision. The air 
bags work with your seat belt to restrain you 
properly. In some collisions, air bags won’t 
deploy at all. Always wear your seat belts even 
though you have air bags.
WARNING!
6
22_MP_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 215   

216SAFETY  
Occupant Classification System (OCS) — 
Front Passenger Seat
The Occupant Classification System (OCS) is part of 
a Federally regulated safety system for this vehicle. 
It is designed to provide Passenger Advanced Front 
Air Bag output appropriate to the occupant’s seated 
weight, as determined by the OCS.
The Occupant Classification System (OCS) consists 
of the following:
Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
Occupant Classification Module (OCM) and 
Sensor located in the front passenger seat
Air Bag Warning Light 
Occupant Classification Module (OCM) And Sensor
The Occupant Classification Module (OCM) is 
located underneath the front passenger seat. The 
Sensor is located beneath the passenger seat 
cushion foam. Any weight on the seat will be 
sensed by the Sensor. The OCM uses input from 
the Sensor to determine the front passenger’s 
most probable classification. The OCM 
communicates this information to the ORC. The 
ORC may reduce the inflation rate of the Passenger 
Advanced Front Air Bag deployment based on 
occupant classification. In order for the OCS to 
operate as designed, it is important for the front 
passenger to be seated properly and properly 
wearing the seat belt. The OCS will NOT prevent deployment of the 
Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag. The OCS may 
reduce the inflation rate of the Passenger 
Advanced Front Air Bag if the OCS estimates that:
The front passenger seat is unoccupied or has 
very light objects on it; or
The front passenger seat is occupied by a small 
passenger, including a child; or
The front passenger seat is occupied by a 
rear-facing child restraint; or
The front passenger is not properly seated or his 
or her weight is taken off of the seat for a period 
of time.
* It is possible for a child to be classified as an 
adult, allowing a full-power Passenger Advanced 
Front Air Bag deployment. Never allow children to 
ride in the front passenger seat and never install a 
child restraint system, including a rear-facing child 
restraint, in the front passenger seat.
The OCS determines the front passenger’s most 
probable classification. The OCS estimates the 
seated weight on the front passenger seat and 
where that weight is located. The OCS 
communicates the classification status to the ORC. 
Front Passenger Seat 
Occupant Status Front Passenger 
Air Bag Output
Rear-facing child 
restraint Reduced-power 
deployment
Child, including a child 
in a forward-facing 
child restraint or 
booster seat* Reduced-power 
deployment OR 
Full-power deployment
Properly seated adult Full-power deployment 
OR reduced-power 
deployment
Unoccupied seat Reduced-power 
deployment
WARNING!
Never place a rear-facing child restraint in 
front of an air bag. A deploying passenger 
front air bag can cause death or serious injury 
to a child 12 years or younger, including a 
child in a rear-facing child restraint.
Never install a rear-facing child restraint in the 
front seat of a vehicle. Only use a rear-facing 
child restraint in the rear seat. If the vehicle 
does not have a rear seat, do not transport a 
rear-facing child restraint in that vehicle.
Children 12 years or younger should always 
ride buckled up in the rear seat of a vehicle 
with a rear seat.
22_MP_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 216   

SAFETY217
The ORC uses the classification to determine 
whether the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag 
inflation rate should be adjusted.
In order for the OCS to operate as designed, it is 
important for the front passenger to be seated 
properly and properly wearing the seat belt. 
Properly seated passengers are:
Sitting upright
Facing forward
Sitting in the center of the seat with their feet 
comfortably on or near the floor
Sitting with their back against the seatback and 
the seatback in an upright position
Seated Properly
 Lighter Weight Passengers (Including Small Adults)
When a lighter weight passenger, including a small 
adult, occupies the front passenger seat, the OCS 
may reduce the inflation rate of the Passenger 
Advanced Front Air Bag. This does not mean that 
the OCS is working improperly.
Do not decrease OR increase the front passenger’s 
seated weight on the front passenger seat
The front passenger’s seated weight must be 
properly positioned on the front passenger seat. 
Failure to do so may result in serious injury or 
death. The OCS determines the most probable 
classification of the occupant that it detects. The 
OCS will detect the front passenger’s decreased or 
increased seated weight, which may result in an 
adjusted inflation rate of the Passenger Advanced 
Front Air Bag in a collision. This does not mean that 
the OCS is working improperly. Decreasing the 
front passenger’s seated weight on the front 
passenger seat may result in a reduced-power 
deployment of the Passenger Advanced Front Air 
Bag. Increasing the front passenger’s seated 
weight on the front passenger seat may result in a 
full-power deployment of the Passenger Advanced 
Front Air Bag.
Examples of improper front passenger seating 
include:
The front passenger’s weight is transferred to 
another part of the vehicle (like the door, arm 
rest or instrument panel).
The front passenger leans forward, sideways, or 
turns to face the rear of the vehicle.
The front passenger’s seatback is not in the full 
upright position.
The front passenger carries or holds an object 
while seated (e.g., backpack, box, etc.).
Objects are lodged under the front passenger 
seat.
Objects are lodged between the front passenger 
seat and center console.
Accessories that may change the seated weight 
on the front passenger seat are attached to the 
front passenger seat.
Anything that may decrease or increase the 
front passenger’s seated weight.
6
22_MP_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 217   

218SAFETY  
The OCS determines the front passenger’s most 
probable classification. If an occupant in the front 
passenger seat is seated improperly, the occupant 
may provide an output signal to the OCS that is 
different from the occupant’s properly seated 
weight input, for example:
Not Seated Properly
Not Seated Properly Not Seated Properly
Not Seated Properly
WARNING!
If a child restraint system, child, small teen
-
ager or adult in the front passenger seat is 
seated improperly, the occupant may provide 
an output signal to the OCS that is different 
from the occupant’s properly seated weight 
input. This may result in serious injury or death 
in a collision.
Always wear your seat belt and sit properly, 
with the seatback in an upright position, your 
back against the seatback, sitting upright, 
facing forward, in the center of the seat, with 
your feet comfortably on or near the floor.
Do not carry or hold any objects (e.g., back -
packs, boxes, etc.) while seated in the front 
passenger seat. Holding an object may 
provide an output signal to the OCS that is 
different than the occupant’s properly seated 
weight input, which may result in serious injury 
or death in a collision.
Placing an object on the floor under the front 
passenger seat may prevent the OCS from 
working properly, which may result in serious 
injury or death in a collision. Do not place any 
objects on the floor under the front passenger 
seat.
22_MP_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 218   

SAFETY219
 The Air Bag Warning Light in the instrument 
panel will turn on whenever the OCS is unable to 
classify the front passenger seat status. A 
malfunction in the OCS may affect the operation of 
the air bag system.
 If the Air Bag Warning Light does not come on, 
or stays on after you start the vehicle, or it comes 
on as you drive, take the vehicle to an authorized 
dealer for service immediately.
The passenger seat assembly contains critical 
OCS components that may affect the Passenger 
Advanced Front Air Bag inflation. In order for the OCS 
to properly classify the seated weight of a front seat 
passenger, the OCS components must function as 
designed. Do not make any modifications to the front 
passenger seat components, assembly, or to the 
seat cover. If the seat, trim cover, or cushion needs 
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 prior or future model year seat 
covers or cushions not designated by 
FCA US LLC for the specific model being 
repaired. Always use the correct seat cover and 
cushion specified for the vehicle.
Do not replace the seat cover or cushion with an 
aftermarket seat cover or cushion.
Do not add a secondary seat cover or mat.
At no time should any Supplemental Restraint 
System (SRS) component or SRS related 
component or fastener be modified or replaced 
with any part except those which are approved 
by FCA US LLC.
Knee Impact Bolsters 
The Knee Impact Bolsters help protect the knees 
of the driver and front passenger, and position the 
front occupants for improved interaction with the 
front air bags.
Supplemental Driver Knee Air Bag
This vehicle is equipped with a Supplemental 
Driver Knee Air Bag mounted in the instrument 
panel below the steering column. The 
Supplemental Driver Knee Air Bag provides 
enhanced protection during a frontal impact by 
working together with the seat belts, 
pretensioners, and front air bags.
WARNING!
Unapproved modifications or service proce-
dures to the passenger seat assembly, its 
related components, seat cover or cushion 
may inadvertently change the air bag deploy -
ment in case of a frontal collision. This could 
result in death or serious injury to the front 
passenger if the vehicle is involved in a colli -
sion. A modified vehicle may not comply with 
required Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stan -
dards (FMVSS) and/or Canadian Motor 
Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS).
If it is necessary to modify the air bag system 
for persons with disabilities, contact an autho -
rized dealer.
WARNING!
Do not drill, cut, or tamper with the knee 
impact bolsters in any way.
Do not mount any accessories to the knee 
impact bolsters such as alarm lights, stereos, 
citizen band radios, etc.
6
22_MP_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 219   

SAFETY229
Summary Of Recommendations For Restraining Children In Vehicles
Child Size, Height, Weight Or Age Recommended Type Of Child Restraint
Infants and ToddlersChildren who are two years old or younger and who 
have not reached the height or weight limits of their 
child restraint Either an Infant Carrier or a Convertible Child 
Restraint, facing rearward in a rear seat of the 
vehicle
Small Children Children who are at least two years old or who have 
outgrown the height or weight limit of their 
rear-facing child restraint Forward-Facing Child Restraint with a five-point 
Harness, facing forward in a rear seat of the 
vehicle
Larger Children Children who have outgrown their forward-facing 
child restraint, but are too small to properly fit the 
vehicle’s seat belt Belt Positioning Booster Seat and the vehicle seat 
belt, seated in a rear seat of the vehicle
Children Too Large for Child Restraints Children 12 years old or younger, who have 
outgrown the height or weight limit of their
booster seat Vehicle Seat Belt, seated in a rear seat of the 
vehicle
6
22_MP_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 229   

230SAFETY  
Infant And Child Restraints
Safety experts recommend that children ride 
rear-facing in the vehicle until they are two years 
old or until they reach either the height or weight 
limit of their rear-facing child restraint. Two types of 
child restraints can be used rear-facing: infant 
carriers and convertible child seats.
The infant carrier is only used rear-facing in the 
vehicle. It is recommended for children from birth 
until they reach the weight or height limit of the 
infant carrier. Convertible child seats can be used 
either rear-facing or forward-facing in the vehicle. 
Convertible child seats often have a higher weight 
limit in the rear-facing direction than infant carriers 
do, so they can be used rear-facing by children who 
have outgrown their infant carrier but are still less 
than at least two years old. Children should remain 
rear-facing until they reach the highest weight or 
height allowed by their convertible child seat.
Older Children And Child Restraints 
Children who are two years old or who have 
outgrown their rear-facing convertible child seat 
can ride forward-facing in the vehicle. 
Forward-facing child seats and convertible child 
seats used in the forward-facing direction are for 
children who are over two years old or who have 
outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit of 
their rear-facing convertible child seat. Children 
should remain in a forward-facing child seat with a 
harness for as long as possible, up to the highest 
weight or height allowed by the child seat.
All children whose weight or height is above the 
forward-facing limit for the child seat should use a 
belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle’s 
seat belts fit properly. If the child cannot sit with 
knees bent over the vehicle’s seat cushion while 
the child’s back is against the seatback, they 
should use a belt-positioning booster seat. The 
child and belt-positioning booster seat are held in 
the vehicle by the seat belt.WARNING!
Never place a rear-facing child restraint in 
front of an air bag. A deploying passenger 
front air bag can cause death or serious injury 
to a child 12 years or younger, including a 
child in a rear-facing child restraint.
Never install a rear-facing child restraint in the 
front seat of a vehicle. Only use a rear-facing 
child restraint in the rear seat. If the vehicle 
does not have a rear seat, do not transport a 
rear-facing child restraint in that vehicle.
22_MP_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 230   

232SAFETY  
Recommendations For Attaching Child Restraints 
Restraint Type Combined Weight of 
the Child + Child  Restraint Use Any Attachment Method Shown With An “X” Below
LATCH – Lower Anchors  Only Seat Belt Only LATCH – Lower Anchors 
+ Top Tether Anchor Seat Belt + Top Tether 
Anchor
Rear-Facing 
Child Restraint Up to 65 lbs 
(29.5 kg) X
X
Rear-Facing 
Child Restraint More than 65 lbs 
(29.5 kg) X
Forward-Facing  Child Restraint Up to 65 lbs 
(29.5 kg) X
X
Forward-Facing  Child Restraint More than 65 lbs 
(29.5 kg) X
22_MP_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 232