Child Restraint: Description and Operation

CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHOR

Fig. 9 Child Restraint Anchor Locations:

Fig. 10 Front Passenger Seat Upper Anchor:

Fig. 11 Front Passenger Seat Lower Anchor:

Fig. 12 Rear Seat Upper Anchors:

Fig. 13 Rear Seat Lower Anchors:

This model is equipped with a Lower Anchors and Tether for Children, or LATCH child restraint anchorage system. The LATCH system provides for the installation of suitable child restraints in certain seating positions without using the standard equipment seat belt provided for that seating position. All vehicles without a rear seat are equipped with a fixed-position child restraint upper tether anchor and two child restraint lower anchors for the front passenger seating position. Vehicles with an optional rear seat are equipped with fixed-position child restraint upper tether anchors and two child restraint lower anchors for each rear outboard seating position. All front passenger seat child restraint anchors are deleted on models equipped with the optional rear seat.

The upper tether anchor and both lower anchors for the front passenger seat are integral to the front passenger seat riser bracket. The upper tether anchor is accessed from behind the front seat. The lower anchors for the front passenger seat are formed from round steel bar stock that is formed into a U-shape, then securely welded to the seat riser bracket. They are accessed from the front of the seat, at each side where the seat back meets the seat cushion. The upper and lower front seat child restraint anchors cannot be adjusted or repaired and, if faulty or damaged, they must be replaced as a unit with the seat riser bracket.

The upper tether anchors for the rear seat are stamped steel brackets that are secured by screws to the rear cargo floor panel just forward of the tailgate opening, and are accessed from behind the rear seat. The upper tether anchors for the rear seat are available for individual service replacement. The four fixed lower anchors are integral to the rear seat back frame and are accessed from the front of the rear seat, where the seat back meets the seat cushion. The two inboard lower anchors are constructed from round steel bar stock that is formed into a U-shape, then securely welded at each end to the rear seat back frame. The two outboard lower anchors are machined steel pins that are secured between the two seat back hinge plates above the pivot pin on each outboard side of the rear seat back frame. These lower anchors cannot be adjusted or repaired and, if faulty or damaged, they must be replaced as a unit with the rear seat back frame.

WARNING: DURING AND FOLLOWING ANY SEAT BELT OR CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHOR SERVICE, CAREFULLY INSPECT ALL SEAT BELTS, BUCKLES, MOUNTING HARDWARE, RETRACTORS, TETHER STRAPS, AND ANCHORS FOR PROPER INSTALLATION, OPERATION, OR DAMAGE. REPLACE ANY BELT THAT IS CUT, FRAYED, OR TORN. STRAIGHTEN ANY BELT THAT IS TWISTED. TIGHTEN ANY LOOSE FASTENERS. REPLACE ANY BELT THAT HAS A DAMAGED OR INOPERATIVE BUCKLE OR RETRACTOR. REPLACE ANY BELT THAT HAS A BENT OR DAMAGED LATCH PLATE OR ANCHOR PLATE. REPLACE ANY CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHOR OR THE UNIT TO WHICH THE ANCHOR IS INTEGRAL THAT HAS BEEN BENT OR DAMAGED. NEVER ATTEMPT TO REPAIR A SEAT BELT OR CHILD RESTRAINT COMPONENT. ALWAYS REPLACE DAMAGED OR FAULTY SEAT BELT AND CHILD RESTRAINT COMPONENTS WITH THE CORRECT, NEW AND UNUSED REPLACEMENT PARTS LISTED IN THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER MOPAR PARTS CATALOG.

See the vehicle glove box for more information on the proper use of all of the factory-installed child restraint anchors.