Side Airbag Module: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek and 2015 Subaru Impreza. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

CAUTION: Refer to "CAUTION" of "General Description" before handling the airbag module. < Ref. to CAUTION , General Description.>

NOTE: Remove the passenger's side by referring to driver's side.

Remove the headrest assembly.
Disconnect the ground cable from battery and wait for at least 60 seconds before starting work. < Ref. to BATTERY , NOTE, Note.>
NOTE: For the 12 volt engine restart battery of HEV model, disconnect the ground terminal from 12V engine restart battery sensor.
Remove the front seats.
CAUTION: Be careful not to damage the body when taking out the seat from the vehicle.
1. Tilt the backrest assembly forward and move the front seat to the front most position.
2. Remove the cover - bolt rear (A) and remove the bolts.
  
  Fig 1: Identifying Cover - Bolt Rear
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
3. Move the front seat to the rearmost position, and remove the bolts.
4. Disconnect the connector under the front seat.
  - Seat belt warning light connector (driver's seat)
  - Occupant detection system harness connector (passenger's seat) < Ref. to OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (BETWEEN AIRBAG REAR HARNESS AND SEAT HARNESS) , PROCEDURE, Airbag Connector.>
  - Side airbag module connector < Ref. to SIDE AIRBAG MODULE , PROCEDURE, Airbag Connector.>
  - Seat heater connector (model with seat heater)
  - Buckle switch RH connector (passenger's seat) < Ref. to BUCKLE SWITCH RH , PROCEDURE, Airbag Connector.>
5. Take out the front seat assembly from the vehicle.
Remove the knob - lifter.
1. Using a flat tip screwdriver, remove the cap - lifter lever (a).
2. Remove the screws and remove the knob - lifter.
  
  Fig 2: Locating Cap - Lifter Lever Mounting Screws
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the lever - reclining.
1. Pull up the lever - reclining and release the claws on the back.
2. Pull out the lever - reclining.
  
  Fig 3: Removing Lever - Reclining
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the cover - hinge front seat outer.
1. Remove the screws.
2. Release the claw in the upper section of the cover - hinge front seat outer.
3. Release the claw in the rear section of the cover - hinge front seat outer.
4. Release the claw in the front section of the cover - hinge front seat outer, then remove the cover - hinge front seat outer.
  
  Fig 4: Removing Cover - Hinge Front Seat Outer
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the seat belt inner - front.
1. Remove the nut, and remove the seat belt inner - front.
2. Remove the clip for the seat belt inner - front located under the seat cushion assembly.
  
  Fig 5: Locating Seat Belt Inner Bolt - Front
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the cover - hinge front seat inner.
1. Remove the screws.
2. Release the claw in the upper section of the cover - hinge front seat inner.
3. Release the claw in the rear section of the cover - hinge front seat inner, then remove the cover - hinge front seat inner.
  
  Fig 6: Removing Cover - Hinge Front Seat Inner
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Separate the backrest assembly and the seat cushion assembly.
1. Remove the clip for the side airbag harness located under the seat cushion assembly.
2. Remove the bolts from reclining hinge of both sides.
3. While taking care not to damage the airbag harness, separate the backrest assembly and the seat cushion assembly.
  
  Fig 7: Locating Bolts From Reclining Hinge Of Both Sides
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the pad assembly - front seat backrest and the cover COMPL - front backrest.
1. Remove the plastic fastener at the back side (bottom) of backrest assembly.
2. Open the fastener at the rear side of backrest assembly.
  
  Fig 8: Removing Pad Assembly - Front Seat Backrest And Cover Compl - Front Backrest
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
3. Remove the hog ring.
  
  Fig 9: Locating Hog Ring
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
4. Remove the pad assembly - front seat backrest and the cover COMPL - front backrest from the backrest assembly.
Remove the side airbag module.
CAUTION: Do not open the protective cover of the side airbag module. If any damage is present in the protective cover or the cloth of side airbag module comes out from the protective cover slit, replace the side airbag module with a new part.
1. Remove the hexagon cap nut and nuts.
2. While taking care not to damage the airbag protective cover, remove the side airbag module.
  
  Fig 10: Locating Hexagon Cap Nut And Nuts
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.