Beginning with the 2011 model year, Ford began offering their rear seat Inflatable Seatbelt Technology as an option on their popular Explorer midsize SUV. We were intrigued from the moment we became aware of Ford’s intention to incorporate airbag technology into backseat seatbelts. Sure, it sounded like an impressive and innovative way to help manage and better distribute energy in a crash. And the benefits for kids and the elderly (who are the most vulnerable occupants wearing an adult seatbelt) were obvious. But we had tons of questions, as did everyone else in the field of child passenger safety field.
The best way for us to try to answer them was to get our hands on a vehicle with this technology. Thanks to our friends at Ford, I had a week to try to figure it all out. This review is specific to the 7-passenger 2012 Explorer Limited model with the inflatable seatbelt technology.
The model I drove had a 3.5L V6 TIV CT Engine with 6 speed selectshift transmission. Estimated MPG is 17 City / 23 HW. The exterior color was a gorgeous “Red Candy” and the interior was Charcoal Black perforated leather. In addition to everything that comes standard with the Limited trim model (too much to list), this particular vehicle was also equipped with a voice activated nav system, luxury seating package, powerfold 3rd row seats, power liftgate, blind spot monitoring system, rear inflatable belts, active park assist, adaptive cruise/collision warning, rain sensing wipers and HID projector headlamps. And as if that wasn’t enough, it also had the optional trailer tow package and 20″ aluminum rims. 🙂
How do Ford’s Inflatable Seatbelts work?
Which carseat manufacturers currently allow you to install their products with Ford’s inflatable seatbelt?
Currently, only Britax allows most of their child restraints (infant seats, harnessed seats and booster seats) to be installed with the inflatable belt *if* installing with LATCH isn’t an option. UPDATE: Britax has revised its recommendations and based on testing results, the current Ford and Lincoln Inflatable seat belt system is approved for use with most Britax car seats made to date. EXCEPTIONS are B-Safe 35, B-Safe 35 Elite, Marathon ClickTight, Boulevard ClickTight, and Advocate ClickTight. Those particular Britax carseat models CANNOT be installed using inflatable belts but can be installed using LATCH. Just keep in mind that the convertible seats with ClickTight (Marathon CT, Boulevard CT, Advocate CT) have very low LATCH weight limits that range from 30-40 lbs. More info at: https://us.britax.com/service-support/inflatable-seat-belt-policy/
BubbleBum allows their inflatable booster to be used with Ford’s inflatable seatbelts (appropriate!) but you cannot use the shoulder belt positioning clip. Graco allows all of their booster seats (and combination seats used in booster mode) to be used in seating positions with these types of belts but does not allow you to install any of their infant seats or harnessed seats with these inflatable belts. Last but not least, the Ride Safer Travel Vest (RSTV) can be modified to be used with an inflatable belt but you have to call the manufacturer, Safe Traffic Systems, and order the “Euro belt guide”.
All other CR Manufacturers currently prohibit installing or using the inflatable belts with their products. Using the LATCH system (instead of the seatbelt) is the only acceptable way to install a CR in these seating positions if you have a carseat made by BabyTrend, Chicco, Combi, Clek, Cybex, Diono, Dorel (Cosco, Safety 1st, Eddie Bauer, Maxi-Cosi), Evenflo, Graco, Harmony, Kiddy, Orbit Baby, Recaro or UPPAbaby. With the exception of those manufacturers listed above (Graco & BubbleBum) boosters made by these manufacturers should not be used in seating positions which have the inflatable belts.
If installing any Britax carseat with Ford’s inflatable seatbelt you must follow the specific instructions here: http://www.britaxusa.com/support/inflatable-seat-belt-policy
Unfortunately, Britax changed their stance on inflatable belts after my week with this vehicle so there are no pictures or comments pertaining to installation of Britax seats using the inflatable belt.
Is it easy for a child in a booster to buckle themselves with these inflatable belts?
Not really. Be prepared to assist a younger child in a booster with buckling. Older children may be able to accomplish the task with practice and patience.
Can the middle row accommodate 3 kids in carseats and/or boosters?
Most likely the answer here will be “no” but I did not try every combination of seats on the market. If you find a 3-across that works in the middle row of this vehicle (specifically an Explorer with the inflatable belts), please let me know! The main issues in the middle row are the very narrow center seating position, the rigid and angled buckles with no buckle stalks, seatbelts that overlap and all the hard plastic. Additionally, neither the middle row nor the 3rd row can be moved fore and aft so the amount of front-to-back space that you have to work with is fixed and not particularly generous to begin with. This can pose a problem for taller parents when a rear-facing seat is installed behind them.
Rear-facing Cosco Scenera installed with lower LATCH anchors and using 1 pool noodle to help achieve an appropriate recline angle. Rear-facing Diono Radian installed with LATCH using the Diono Angle Adjuster to help make the seat more upright. *Note: even with the angle adjuster, the driver’s seat had to be moved up further than my normal driving position – and I’m only 5’4″! On the positive side, Swedish style tethering will be simple. There is easy access to a good location for the D-ring (aka tether connector strap) under both the driver and front passenger seat.
Forward-facing Radian installs well with LATCH in outboard seating positions. Cannot install Radian with inflatable belt (Diono prohibits). FF Radian NOT compatible with regular lap/shoulder belt in center seating position due to rigid, angled buckle stalks. I could not achieve a tight installation with seatbelt. Tether anchors are offset.
Chicco Strada Highback Booster (approved for use with Ford’s inflatable seatbelts) & BubbbleBum booster. Overlapping seatbelts will be a problem if you need to use all 3 belts in the middle row.
Smaller infant seats should allow sufficient leg room for taller drivers or front seat passengers. In seating positions with inflatable belts – always install infant seat base using lower LATCH anchors. Evenflo Embrace 35 with forward handle position pictured.
How is the 3rd row? Can you fit a rear-facing carseat back there? Is it roomy enough for teenagers?
Smaller rear-facing convertibles like the Cosco Scenera should fit in the 3rd row if you don’t need the max recline angle for a newborn. Forward-facing seats like the Evenflo SecureKid & Evenflo Maestro that are not particularly tall will install without too much interference from the fixed, angled head restraints that are not removable. However, only the passenger’s side seating position in the 3rd row has lower LATCH anchors. If you need to install a CR on the driver’s side of the 3rd row – you will need to use the seatbelt and top tether. The 3rd row seatbelts are NOT inflatable belts. There are top tether anchors for both 3rd row seating positions – but only the driver’s side position has lower LATCH anchors. Again, tether anchors are offset.
Highback boosters will install very upright in the 3rd row due to the contour of the head restraints which are not removable. The head restraints back there do flip down to improve driver visibility and to fold and stow the 3rd row seats but they must be up when anyone is seated back there, even in a carseat or booster. Pictured are the Clek Olli & Graco Turbo booster.
The legroom in the 3rd row is roomy enough for a short or average-sized teen or adult. Just don’t expect to fit 6′ tall teenage boys back there. If you recline the middle row seats, you will reduce the legroom in the 3rd row by about 2″.
Do the head restraints interfere with proper installation of the carseat?
Yes and no. In the middle row, all 3 head restraints are removable so you can take them off (assuming your CR doesn’t require them) if they get in the way of a proper installation. However, the 3rd row head restraints are a different design completely. These are not removable, nor are they height adjustable. Additionally, the seatbacks in the 3rd row do not recline like the seats in the middle row, so there is no way to try to compensate for the very upright angle that will occur when you put a highback booster or tall forward-facing harnessed seat back there.
How flexible are the storage and seating options in the 7-passenger model?
Very! However, personally I would be willing to give up some of that versatility to have an interior that was more child restraint friendly. As a mom, I don’t need to fit a surf board or sheetrock panels in my vehicle. But I do need to install carseats and/or boosters properly every single day.
Top Likes:
- Everything about how it drives!
- Comfortable, supportive front seats
- Technology
- Inflatable Seatbelts improve crash protection for rear seat passengers & belt comfort
- Tether anchors for all 5 rear seating positions
- Blind spot monitoring system
- Adaptive cruise/collision warning
- Reverse sensing system and backup camera
- SOS post crash alert system
- Adjustable petals (I’m short!)
- Power liftgate
- Versatile seating and stowing
- Removable head restraints in all 3 middle row seating positions
- Easy rear-facing tether locations (to wrap tether connector strap around) under both front seats
Top Dislikes:
- Inflatable belts are more difficult for children to buckle than traditional lap/shoulder belts
- Middle row seats do not adjust fore & aft
- Not enough front-to-back space in middle row to accommodate a larger RF seat without seriously compromising the amount of legroom for the driver or front seat passenger
- Middle row center seating position is too narrow and full of hard plastic
- Middle row center seating position is incompatible with most child restraints
- Overlapping seatbelts in middle row
- Lower anchors in middle row are recessed and surrounded by stiff leather which made it very difficult to attach hook-style lower anchor connectors (push-on connectors were easier to attach).
- Only one full LATCH position in 3rd row
- Head restraints in the 3rd row will create incompatibilities with taller CRs and some highback boosters
- 3rd row seats do not recline
- Optional perforated leather seats (luxury seating package) were so slippery that I had to place gripper material (the stuff that goes underneath area rugs) under the Chicco Strada booster just to keep it from sliding everywhere while my son tried to get himself seated. In all of my years doing this – I have never encountered leather upholstery that was this slippery.
Crash/Safety Ratings:
Top Safety Pick for 2011, 2012 & 2013 Model Year Explorer
NHTSA
2012 Explorer: 4 Stars
2013 Explorer: 5 Stars
The Bottom Line:
The current Ford Explorer Limited incorporates many innovative new safety technologies and it was a pleasure to drive. I thoroughly enjoyed this vehicle until I had to focus on fitting and installing a variety of child restraints in it. I completely understand that everything in a vehicle interior is a trade-off and every great concept or feature has a downside. However, the current model Explorer with inflatable belts really falls short in too many ways when it comes to the realities of families who have (or need to transport) multiple kids in child restraints and that was a disappointment.
However, with that said, improving crash protection for rear-seat passengers (who are usually kids!) is a focus that is long overdue. Ford and their engineers deserve some major kudos for this innovation. The inflatable belt technology is truly brilliant, even if it does currently make the belt more cumbersome to buckle.
I sincerely hope that more child restraint manufacturers will follow Britax’s lead and lift their restrictions on usage of their CR products with these types of belts. Because heavier, higher-weight harness CRs combined with shrinking lower LATCH weight limits make it more likely than ever that parents and caregivers will need to utilize the seatbelt at some point to secure their CR.
Ford is expanding their Inflatable Belt offering and this option is now also available on the Ford Edge, Flex, Fusion and F-150 as well as Lincoln’s MKT, MKX and MKZ.
*Tips & technical info for CPS Technicians working with child restraints in a Ford Explorer with inflatable belts can be found here: http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?p=2485042#post2485042
I wanted to share the 3 across setups that have worked for us. I have a 3 year old and infant twins. 2015 Explorer with bench middle seat.
Setup 1: Evenflo Maestro harnessed booster FF behind driver, Graco Snugride 30 w/base RF x2 center and outboard. Our Graco Fit4me 65 also fits FF in the Evenflo spot. Only one cup holder installed on Evenflo. Evenflo could be in middle, but why do that if you don’t have to?
Setup 2: Graco Fit4me 65 RF x2 both outboard, Evenflo Maestro harnessed booster FF center. No way will the Graco convertibles will RF next to each other but they puzzle nicely with the Evenflo. Cup holders can be installed on Evenflo.
Setup 3: Same as above but FF for all. We haven’t used this setup yet but verified it worked with the Graco convertibles. Cup holders have to be removed on Evenflo.
I didn’t want to shell out $$$ for 2 Diono Radians when I only needed one new convertible! We made it work on a budget.
I wish I had stumbled upon this BEFORE trading in our Edge for the Explorer. Our only reason was because of all of the space for traveling after folding down the 3rd row. I was pretty upset when I tried putting our Rainier in RF and it was a no go and we had to flip him FF against my wishes. We have the Rainier and Radian for my 2.5 year old which will fit fine FF in our other car and will probably be looking into the the Graco that will convert to a high back and then no back booster to use in the Explorer. Curious on how those fit RF as I would like to keep my younger guy RF longer than I did with my first . Any insight?
According to Britax as of Nov 2014, you can install using the clicktight in the pinnacle, pioneer & frontier. http://www.britaxusa.com/support/inflatable-seat-belt-policy
PIONEER 70, FRONTIER 90, and PINNACLE 90
LATCH INSTALLATION
If the vehicle seating position has an inflatable seat belt system and a manufacturer designated LATCH system, install using LATCH. Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual or contact the vehicle manufacturer for the maximum weight rating for their lower anchors. Use vehicle belt (not lower connectors) for installations with children who weigh more than the vehicle lower anchor limit. Unless specified otherwise by the vehicle manufacturer, assume a 40 lb child is the vehicle lower anchor limit for the PIONEER 70 and FRONTIER 90, and assume a 38 lb child is the vehicle lower anchor limit for the PINNACLE 90.
INSTALLATION WITH A FORD OR LINCOLN INFLATABLE SEAT BELT SYSTEM
Refer to the CRS User Guide for installation Lap-Shoulder Belt. FRONTIER 90 and PINNACLE 90 the lap-shoulder belt is routed through the belt path with ClickTight open.
While holding the shoulder and lap belt portions together, route the vehicle belt through the appropriate belt. Be sure the belt webbing is not twisted.
Continue installation as per the Ford or Lincoln Vehicle Owner’s Manual:
Insert the belt tongue into the proper buckle (the buckle closest to the direction the tongue is coming from) for that seating position until you hear a snap and feel the latch engage. Make sure the tongue is latched securely by pulling on it.
To put the retractor in the automatic locking mode, grasp the lap portion of the inflatable safety belt and pull upward until all of the belt is pulled out.
Allow the belt to retract to remove the slack (storing excess webbing).The retractor will click as it retracts to indicate it is in the automatic locking mode.
Continue installation as per the child restraint user guide – closing ClickTight.
Verify that the vehicle belt is tight and that the child seat is secure. The child seat is secure when it moves less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) front-to back or side-to-side at the vehicle belt path.
Attach the Versa-Tether to a designated anchor (see vehicle owner’s manual) and remove slack.
NOTE: Top tether use is always recommended by BRITAX. Top tether is required for children above 65 lbs.
Could someone do measuerment for me, and just measure what’s the app. cargo area length behind 3r seat row? And meil me please on [email protected]. I would do this by myself, but I am from Europe, and we don’t have this car here 🙂
I contacted CLEK before recently buying a 2014 explorer with inflatable seat belts as we have ozzi and oobr boosters and a foonf, whilst the foonf can’t be installed with the inflatable seat belts they did confirm that they have revised their guidelines and that I can use the ozzi and oobr booster seats with the inflatable seat belts.
With the assistance of a car seat safety tech, we installed 3 across yesterday. Drivers side- britax marathon g4, middle- diono radian, passenger side- graco snugride 30. The radian can’t use inflatable belts, and can’t FF in center. Not a problem- when infant grows out of snugride, I’ll move him to center radian, and the toddler to outboard britax which can use belts. By the time infant is big enough to be front facing, toddler will be old enough to go in the third with a high back booster.
@Elizabeth – I only had this vehicle briefly for the review period and it’s definitely possible that they changed their position on this issue during subsequent revisions of the owners manual. If the 2013 Explorer manual clearly states that the head restraints in the 3rd row can be folded down to improve compatibility with child restraint installations then I would go with that – just make sure that the head restraint isn’t interfering with a proper installation somehow.
My MILs 2013 ford explorer manual states that you can fold down the 3rd row head rest for a better child restraint install…this post says it has to stay up? Can you clarify please?
I was just looking on Britax’s site to see whether the Pioneer was compatible with the inflatable belts and ended up coming across this: http://www.britaxusa.com/support/inflatable-seat-belt-policy#Harness3
Looks like the Frontier and Pinnacle 90 are now approved for use with the Ford/Lincoln inflatable belts by following the instructions listed in the link. I hadn’t seen this update discussed yet so thought it should be added to the post for reference.
Hi Melissa! I don’t blame you for being confused! No matter which convertible you chose – you’re going to install it with LATCH until you reach the LATCH weight limit and then have to switch to seatbelt installation. That’s when things get tricky because the majority of carseat manufacturers still don’t allow installation with inflatable belts – although I bet some will change their mind and update their policy before your child reaches the point where you have to switch. The new Britax G4 convertibles are just being released now. You may want to try one of those or go with the Chicco NextFit. If you go with a NF – look for one with a DOM (date of manufacturer) of October 2013. Those are the new ones with the removable (velcro) harness strap covers. The NF cover is removable and washable so don’t worry about that. I hope that helps!
i have the 2014 ford explorer WITHOUT the 2nd row middle seat. instead I have the 2 bucket seats WITH inflatable seatbelts. my daughter is 8 mos old, 29 inches and 24 lbs. she is definitely on the top of the charts for height and weight. she is way too big for her infant seat and I am looking to purchase a convertible seat as soon as possible. I have read all your reviews for convertibles but after reading so many I start to forget which has which feature and what each does. can you please guide me. looks like I need either a britax or chicco? is that correct? with my daughter being on the bigger/taller side, it appears that the britax has a shorter shell and that may not be the best option. but after reviewing chicco, it appears the cover isn’t removable/washable. I was hoping for a machine washable cover and straps, big enough shell, safest, most comfortable for my child and vehicle as possible, also keeping in mind that the driver and passenger seats will have to be moved forward to accommodate the CR. please advise…. I am sooooo confused!!! thanks!
@Yuki Tacy – the lower LATCH anchors in the middle row of the Explorer are for the outboard positions. Ford allows you to borrow one anchor from each side to install with LATCH in the center but only if the carseat allows LATCH installation with “non-standard spacing”. No matter what you’re going to run into the same issues with the plastic getting in the way. I wasn’t able to find any rear-facing infant seat or convertible that fit well in that center seating position but I didn’t try every seat on the market. It may be possible for you to fit a rear-facing Radian in the center since your Explorer model doesn’t have the inflatable belts. Have to tried to see if the Radian will fit in between the plastic rear-facing in that spot? You may need the Diono angle adjuster accessory but some Explorer owners claim that it’s possible. Check out this thread on the car-seat.org forum: http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=241421#.UdzOrPl_68A
I have this car w/o inflatable belts. But heart broken not be able to put 16 month old in a middle and 5yr old on passenger side…:( I have 5 yr old on driver side now but I really wanted to change it, I have marathon for 16 month old and have radian for my 5 yr old. Because of that plastic in the middle any car seat sticks out towards driver side using belt install. Is that allowed? There is anchor on the bottom so they must had child seat in the middle in mind but I don’t know what kind of convertible or RF fit there.
Thanks for the great review.
Perhaps I read it wrong, but where exactly is the lower anchors in the 3rd row? It looks to me like in one sentence it says they are passenger side only and a couple sentences later says drivers side only?
That plastic strikes again! I had an install of a Snug30 in a ’12 Explorer today and mom was really disappointed that we couldn’t do it in the center. Way to go Ford.
@ Jennifer – I can’t say for sure but probably not. I didn’t try a Britax convertible in that spot because I was focusing on seats that were ultra narrow (I only had 8-10″ to work with). I do know that the center seating position was incompatible with all of the FF CRs that I did try (Radian, Scenera, SecureKid) either because of the hard plastic areas or the fact that the recessed buckle stalks are angled forward. The current gen Britax convertible bases are much wider than 8″ so I doubt that would work. But if anyone knows for sure – let me know!
Question: I wonder if a seat that sits up on a base, like the britax convertibles, would fit in the middle seat? Thoughts? They usually install with the base away from the seat bight.
So, great for adults and teens, but very limiting for kids young enough to need child restraints/boosters. Thanks Kecia!
Great Review, Kecia! The 2013 Ford Flex with inflatable second row seatbelts has a very similar, if not identical seating arrangement as it applies to carseats. They are both somewhat disappointing for kids in general, especially since they are competing with larger midsize models like the Pilot, Traverse, etc.
Even my smaller Toyota Highlander is more carseat friendly in the second row overall. While the Highlander has similar hardware in the narrow middle seat, Toyota allows you to remove and stow the center seat which is very handy, and they allow you to move the 2nd row fore-aft which helps a lot for rear-facing seats.
On the plus side, kudos to Ford for having one extra LATCH seat in the third row, plus a second top tether in the third row. That is better than most midsize SUVs.