Retrofit Lower Tether Anchor in 2001 VW Jetta?

tzarro · May 22, 2008

My dealer says that they can't find any information (or part #s) for retrofitting a 2001 VW Jetta with lower tether anchors...

Does anyone know if this can be done?

Better yet, anyone have part #s?

Thanks so much!

Jeanum · May 22, 2008

A quick lookup in my LATCH manual indicates the 2001 Jetta is factory equipped with outboard sets of lower LATCH anchors, and top tether anchors for all three rear seating positions (in the rear filler panel). Based on that info., I think your car is already as fully LATCH equipped as it can possibly be.

The LATCH manual also indicates there's a recall for early 2001 model year Jettas because there was no identification of the lower anchors in the vehicle. It's a lack of labeling issue rather a lack of anchors, basically.

You can contact VW at 1-800-822-8987 and check on your vehicle identification number (VIN) to see if it's affected by the recall. The recall fix is an owner's manual supplement, guidance fixtures (special guides that can be used with the lower LATCH anchors in the vehicle seat crease to make it easier to attach a child restraint's LATCH connectors), and decals.

Defrost · May 22, 2008

My '01 Golf has lower anchors, and I had no idea they were there until I took my tech class last year. They've just got a single plain, little gray button on the vehicle seat above the outboard anchor on each side. My manual does state that they're there, though.

BTW, VW doesn't allow "borrowing" of anchors from the outboard seating positions, so you can't use LATCH in the center position.

Jeanum · May 22, 2008

Hi Debbie, the lack of LATCH identification recall also affected 2000 and early 2001 model year Golfs, and other VW models, too. It's possible your Golf was affected and owners shouldn't beat themselves up for not knowing.

Defrost · May 22, 2008

Jeanum said:
Hi Debbie, the lack of LATCH identification recall also affected 2000 and early 2001 model year Golfs, and other VW models, too. It's possible your Golf was affected and owners shouldn't beat themselves up for not knowing.

LOL! I just hold myself to a higher standard!

Most likely what happened was I did notice it had LATCH when we first got it (because I'm a geek and I always read my owner's manuals), but then completely disregarded it because 1. I couldn't use it in the center anyway, and that's where the only carseat I had would be installed, and 2. Why would I need LATCH when I was such a pro with the seat belt? Oh, and 3 - we had a RA that didn't have LATCH.

ANYWAY - to the OP, I can post pictures of the button and where to find the LATCH anchors in my car, if you need help finding them. They're pretty well hidden in the seat bight.

tzarro · May 22, 2008

Defrost said:
ANYWAY - to the OP, I can post pictures of the button and where to find the LATCH anchors in my car, if you need help finding them. They're pretty well hidden in the seat bight.

Yes, that would be splendid! Thanks everyone for your help!

Defrost · May 22, 2008

tzarro said:
Yes, that would be splendid! Thanks everyone for your help!

Okay, I'll take them after lunch. Should have them up sometime this afternoon.

Defrost · May 22, 2008

Here ya' go. Keep in mind that these are on a GOLF, not a Jetta, so there could very well be some major differences. This is just what it looks like in MY car - you can use that to help you find them in your car, but it may not be the same.

Oh, and please don't mind the mess. This is dh's commuter car.

Here's the rear passenger seat. You can see the little gray button just to the right of the seatbelt:

Here's the LATCH anchors when I pop the bottom of the vehicle seat out. You can't do this to install a carseat... well, I suppose you could, but it wouldn't actually make anything easier.

Here's the LATCH anchor with the vehicle seat all put back together, and my hand compressing the vehicle seat to expose the LATCH anchor.

(The LATCH anchors are the same color as the car's exterior, how cute is that?)

tzarro · May 23, 2008

Defrost said:
Here ya' go. Keep in mind that these are on a GOLF, not a Jetta, so there could very well be some major differences. This is just what it looks like in MY car - you can use that to help you find them in your car, but it may not be the same.

Thanks! Yes, I found my LATCH anchors in the exact same spot in our Jetta!!

Next question: I'm installing a rear-facing Britax carseat, and I want to find a good place to anchor the tether strap...it needs to be someplace along the floorboards, but I can't find any anchors down there...I also would use the d-ring that comes with the carseat, but I can't find a good place to wrap it around (and I've heard that I shouldn't wrap it around the rails that the front seats ride back and forth on)...any advice?

Thanks again!

Retrofit Lower Tether Anchor in 2001 VW Jetta?

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