Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Child Restraint Anchor: Description
The Lower Anchors and Tether for Children, or LATCH child restraint anchorage system provides for the installation of suitable child restraints in certain seating positions without using the seat belt provided for that seating position. The second row seats are equipped with a fixed-position child restraint upper tether anchor for both the center and the two outboard seating positions, and child restraint lower anchors for all three seating positions.
The three upper tether anchors are integral to the rear shelf panel on sedans and the seat back frame on wagons. These anchors are each constructed from a heavy-gauge steel wire loop. The child restraint upper tether anchors cannot be adjusted or repaired and, if faulty or damaged, they must be replaced.
The lower anchors (1) are permanently mounted to the rear floor pan beneath the seat. These anchors are also constructed from a heavy-gauge steel wire loop welded to the floor pan. They are each accessed from the front of their respective seats, at each side where the seat back meets the seat cushion. These lower anchors cannot be adjusted or repaired and, if faulty or damaged, they must be replaced as a unit.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.