B2290 on Ford

Occupant classification system fault, front passenger seat (Mercury)

Severity: Inspect soon

The code turns on the airbag lamp and the passenger airbag cannot be sure how to act without the seat sensor.

Safety-critical system: explanation only, no DIY steps. Source: how we rate severity

This page covers only what differs on Ford. For what B2290 means, the ranked causes and the test order, see the B2290 guide.

What's different on Ford

Ford

2006
Supported by vehicle data
Ford 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.

Sources and review

Ford 06202: Ford and Mercury airbag light with B2290, difficult to duplicate — NHTSA (manufacturer communication)
Ford 16132 (Lincoln): Lincoln Town Car airbag lamp with B2290, occupant classification circuit fault — NHTSA (manufacturer communication)
NHTSA complaint ODI 10495291: Mercury Milan 2008 — NHTSA (owner complaint)

Last reviewed: October 16, 2026
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