B2290: Occupant classification system fault, front passenger seat (Mercury)
Occupant classification system fault
Severity: Inspect soon
The code turns on the airbag lamp and the passenger airbag cannot be sure how to act without the seat sensor.
B2290 in short
On Mercury, B2290 means the airbag system reports a fault in the front passenger seat occupant classification system. A Milan owner had the sensor under the passenger seat diagnosed, and a Ford bulletin on the Montego notes the fault is hard to duplicate. The passenger airbag may not behave correctly, so have it checked soon.
The occupant classification sensor tells the airbag computer whether someone is in the passenger seat and roughly how heavy they are. If the sensor circuit fails, the airbag lamp comes on.
Ford bulletin 16132 for the 2003 Lincoln Town Car describes B2290 as an occupant classification circuit fault on cars built before 21 June 2002. Ford bulletin 06202 covers the 2006 Five Hundred, Freestyle and Montego and says the fault is difficult to duplicate.
A 2008 Mercury Milan owner had the garage read B2290 as occupant classification system status, front passenger side, and the sensor under the seat was faulty.
Pick your make
B2290 is a manufacturer-specific code: its meaning depends on who built the car.
Other makes: meaning not verified. Check with a scan tool that reads manufacturer definitions.
Most likely causes
Cause 1: Faulty occupant sensor in the passenger seat
Supported by vehicle data- Why it ranks here
- A Milan garage found the sensor under the passenger seat malfunctioning with B2290.
- What would change this
- Rises if the lamp came on after the car sat unused. Falls if connectors under the seat are damaged.
Cause 2: Intermittent circuit fault
Supported by vehicle data- Why it ranks here
- Ford bulletin 06202 says B2290 can be difficult to duplicate.
- What would change this
- Rises if the code returns after clearing with no pattern.
What to test first
Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.
Step 1: Have the airbag or body codes read with a scan tool and note the exact code and any others.
IfB2290 on a 2002-2003 Town Car
It meansFord bulletin 16132 and 15612 cover this circuit fault.
IfCode returns without a pattern
It meansThe fault may be intermittent.
IfLamp came on after the car sat unused
It meansThe seat sensor is suspect.
IfAny other combination
It meansCheck bulletins next.
Step 2: Give your VIN to a dealer and ask for any bulletin or recall on the system.
IfA bulletin applies
It meansThe dealer follows it.
IfNothing applies
It meansThe service manual diagnosis is next.
Step 3: Have a trained technician run the maker occupant classification diagnosis, starting with the seat sensor connector.
Warning:Never probe airbag connectors or wiring with a test light or meter, and never unplug them yourself. Airbags and pretensioners can still fire with the ignition off. Leave this to a dealer or trained technician.
IfSensor fails
It meansReplace the sensor.
IfFault appears only sometimes
It meansFollow the maker intermittent procedure.
Symptoms
- Airbag warning light stays on
- Passenger airbag indicator shows off with an adult seated
How to fix
This is a safety-critical system, so we explain the code but don't give repair steps. Have it inspected by a qualified technician.
Parts and cost context
- Passenger seat occupant sensor:A Milan garage replaced the sensor under the seat. Airbag parts must be handled by a trained technician. Labour varies; get a quote.
Labor varies by vehicle and shop; get a quote before you approve a repair.
Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuideOn your vehicle
LincolnYour car
2003 · Town Car
Supported by vehicle dataFord bulletins tie B2290 to the occupant classification circuit on the Town Car. Only the summaries were read.
2002 · Town Car
Supported by vehicle dataFord bulletins tie B2290 to the occupant classification circuit on the Town Car. Only the summaries were read.
16132Status unverified
Lincoln Town Car airbag lamp with B2290, occupant classification circuit fault
2003town-car · NHTSA 636155
2003 Town Car built before 21 June 2002. The summary itself calls B2290 an occupant classification circuit fault.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
15612Status unverified
Lincoln Town Car airbag warning lamp with B2290 and lamp fault code 16
2002town-car · NHTSA 630658
2002 Town Car.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
FordYour car
2006
Supported by vehicle dataFord bulletin 06202 covers B2290 on the Montego and notes the fault is difficult to duplicate. Only the summary was read.
06202 (ford)Status unverified
Ford and Mercury airbag light with B2290, difficult to duplicate
2006five-hundred, freestyle · NHTSA 10020704
2006 Five Hundred, Freestyle and Montego. The summary notes the fault is hard to reproduce.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
MercuryYour car
2006 · Montego
Supported by vehicle dataFord bulletin 06202 covers B2290 on the Montego and notes the fault is difficult to duplicate. Only the summary was read.
2008 · Milan
Supported by vehicle dataAn owner complaint reads B2290 as occupant classification status, front passenger side, with a faulty seat sensor.
06202 (mercury)Status unverified
Ford and Mercury airbag light with B2290, difficult to duplicate
2006montego · NHTSA 10020704
2006 Five Hundred, Freestyle and Montego. The summary notes the fault is hard to reproduce.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
Related codes
No curated relationships for B2290 yet.
Sources and review
- Ford 16132 (Lincoln): Lincoln Town Car airbag lamp with B2290, occupant classification circuit fault
- NHTSA complaint ODI 10495291: Mercury Milan 2008
- Ford 06202: Ford and Mercury airbag light with B2290, difficult to duplicate
- Ford 15612 (Lincoln): Lincoln Town Car airbag warning lamp with B2290 and lamp fault code 16
- Last reviewed
- Written by
- Saurabh K.
- Editorial review
- Pending
- Technician review
- Technician review pending
This page explains what a code usually means; it is not a substitute for a professional inspection. How we source and review · Report an error