Cases of LATCH failure in crash?

aporthole

Active member
Just curious if anyone knows of any documented cases of LATCH failures in crashes?

With LATCH weight limits being fairly ambiguous for some cars, like Honda. I'm sure there are plenty of kids riding in 5 point harnesses with LATCH way beyond the official limits. My 2011 Honda Pilot says absolutely nothing about LATCH weight limits, and it is only because of extensive reading that I'm even aware of Honda's 40 lb child limit. I am aware of the 65 lb restraint + child revisions for 2014, but I would love to know realistically at what point would LATCH failure be a true concern.

Disclaimer: I would never consider using LATCH beyond the stated limits. I am just curious about the physics and real world data if available.
 
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LISmama810

Admin - CPS Technician
I'm not sure if there are documented cases, but if there are, it would be important to note if it was the anchors or the connectors failing. It's generally thought that the connectors will fail before the anchors do.
 

kam1011

New member
As far as misuse goes, I'd expect most people who "don't pay attention" to the "rules" to not be driving around with harnessed 65 pounders to begin with.
 

LISmama810

Admin - CPS Technician
kam1011 said:
As far as misuse goes, I'd expect most people who "don't pay attention" to the "rules" to not be driving around with harnessed 65 pounders to begin with.

The problem, though, is that even people who do follow the rules might have no idea of Honda's 40-lb LATCH limit, as their manuals don't mention it and customer service provides a half-dozen different answers. I imagine that's part of the root of OP's question: If someone inadvertently uses LATCH beyond the limit, how dangerous is that?
 

tiggercat

New member
Transport Canada did some testing above UAS (LATCH) limits here http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/safedrivers-childsafety-programs-testing-harness-report-923.htm
With the 10 year old dummy, in a regent, installed with UAS. They observed one lower anchor failure in a Nissan Versa. It looks like they tested a sampling of Hondas in the testing, with no failures observed.
While I would not push the limits on the lower anchors, I am not convinced that they are likely to fail.

Sent from my iPod touch using Car-Seat.Org
 

aporthole

Active member
The Transport Canada info was FANTASTIC! Thank you for that link. Very interesting stuff.

I also saw the one LATCH failure was in a non-designated LATCH position (center install) in the Versa and the top tether slipped into the seat crack causing the restraint to twist putting uneven stress on one lower anchor.

Also interesting how using LATCH and seatbelt together did reduce displacement even though it is a big no-no.
 

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