LATCH in 2002 VW Passat GLX - Retrofit lower anchors?

[rmindy001]

I own a 2002 VW Passat GLX with the tethers, but the lower anchors are not there. The manual says that my dealer can install them, but when I have called 3 local dealers, I seemed to get a mixed reaction about whether it's possible to install the lower anchors and if it is, whether it's safe. Has anyone had the lower anchors retrofitted into their Passat or any other car? Is it safe? The NHTSA doesn't really give a response on it in their FAQs and in the meantime, I'm planning to just install using the seatbelts (I'm due in 2 weeks). Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

[Joolsplus2]

It's completely safe and acceptable, the dealer guys you are getting on the phone just aren't looking hard enough.
But... you can't use them in the center, and I bet that's where you'd want to put an infant seat? You'd still have to use the seatbelt. And, they are only good to 40 pounds. Granted, that could be 3-6 years away, but it's lower than the 48 or 60 on some other cars.
What infant seat do you have? It's entirely possible to install all of them with lap/shoulderbelts, it's just a little harder to do some of them that way (The Snugride is one of the hardest...the shoulderbelt makes it tip to the side really easily..., but the Chicco Key Fit and Graco Safeseat 1 and the Combis are quite easy to install with lap/shoulderbelts).

:)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[o_mom]

Yes, they can install them. The Passat comes without the anchors and the dealers are supposed to install them at no charge. We had to do this with our 2001.5 Passat.

I strongly suggest you get them installed. The Passat is tough to install with LATCH and even harder without (that's why we don't have it anymore). However, you can't use them in the center, as Julie said. It is very difficult to get a center install in that car, so you may need to use the outboard, in which case LATCH will make it much easier. It should have side curtain airbags, so I wouldn't worry too much about an outboard install.

[kellyotn]

I had them installed in my Audi (VW sister company). They should do it for free. You might need to call VW's main 800 number if the dealers aren't being helpful. My dealer knew exactly what I was talking about though, and it was a piece of cake.

I am glad to have them for our RF seat as it does make it easier. I have one RF and one FF both outboard (both Marathons). So, for me, not being able to use center wasn't an issue. FF I just use the seatbelt because its a breeze.

Ideally, you'll want to try center w/ a seat belt first. If you can't get a good install, go outboard with LATCH. Any properly installed rear facing seat in the back is super safe.

[klass2]

I wonder what year VW had the LATCH installed in Passats?

My 2000 Jetta GLX had LATCH. My 2003 Passat GLX also had them.

I have a friend who had a 1999 Passat and the dealer reluctantly installed them for her--for free.

Keep calling around.

My cars had LATCH for the two outboard seats and not the middle.

*sigh* I loved my Jetta and my Passat. I miss them terribly, but we needed more room. Now I'm a minidrivin mama!

[o_mom]

They are LATCH capable since 1999. However, until 2003, they did not come installed, you had to go back to the dealer and get them put in. I don't think any of them have the center position LATCH.

[o_mom]

Here is a copy of the VW technical service bulletin which states that they should install the lower anchors for free.

http://home.comcast.net/~theshums2/TSB/Latch.pdf

[amw]

I just called Volkswagen today about this very issue. I have a 1999 Passat GLS. I know we can use the seatbelt to install our Keyfit, but I thought it would be nice to have the LATCH option.

VW had a representative who was knowledgable about carseat installation call me back. He told me that any VW dealer will install LATCH for free. The VW rep even offered to give me the phone numbers of local dealers, and told me to call him back if I had any difficulty getting this done. VW's customer care phone number is 1-800-822-8987. Hope that helps.

Angie