Dead LATCH anchors could kill your kids in a crash, and nearly a million vehicles need immediate repairs. CARFAX data reveals 983,000+ vehicles have open recalls for child seat anchor defects—faulty welds, misaligned hardware, and excessive coatings that prevent secure installation. If you’ve installed a car seat since 2003, your vehicle’s LATCH system might be compromised.
The Hidden Danger in Your Back Seat
Manufacturing flaws create serious safety risks across multiple automakers and model years.
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) systems replace seat belts for car seat installation, but manufacturing defects create deadly risks. Improper welding weakens anchor points under crash forces. Misaligned anchors prevent proper seat positioning. Excess powder coating blocks secure connections.
These aren’t isolated problems—they affect vehicles from Toyota (75,000+ Tacomas with insufficient welds) to Chevrolet and GMC (668,000+ Equinox and Terrain models with coating issues) to Nissan (47,000 Rogues with tether problems). Even Toyota’s 2024-2025 Highlanders face recalls for misaligned roof anchors.
Geographic Hot Spots for Recalls
High-population areas contain the most vehicles needing immediate attention.
- California tops the list with 132,900 recalled vehicles
- Texas (89,800)
- Florida (60,700)
- New York (51,400)
- Georgia rounds out the top five with approximately 40,000 affected vehicles
These numbers reflect population density, but they also mean hundreds of thousands of families need to act fast. For those looking to replace affected vehicles, understanding vehicle costs across different fuel types can help inform purchasing decisions.
Check Your Vehicle Now
VIN searches and local inspections provide immediate answers and solutions.
Check your VIN immediately on NHTSA.gov or CARFAX’s Recall Tracker. Repairs are free through manufacturers and dealerships—no excuses for delay. Local fire departments and Safe Kids Worldwide offer free car seat inspections, crucial since studies show over 50% of car seats are installed incorrectly even with functional anchors. For vehicle owners comfortable with basic maintenance, learning DIY car fixes can help address other safety concerns.
“LATCH systems are designed to protect our most vulnerable passengers… check right away if your vehicle has an open recall,” warns Faisal Hasan, CARFAX VP of Data.
Test Your Installation
Simple tests ensure your child’s seat won’t fail when it matters most.
Test your current installation regardless of recall status. Properly secured seats move less than one inch when pulled firmly at the base. You should hear an audible “click” when LATCH connectors engage. These basic checks could save your child’s life, especially since this recall affects nearly a million vehicles—making it one of the largest child safety recalls in recent years, similar to other major product recall situations affecting consumer safety.
