Don't all vehicles come with LATCH starting in 02

[mom2binsd]

We are looking at an 02 Mountaineer...I didn't see the latch connectors on my brief inspection this morning....not a huge deal except it will be DH's car and he often has to transport other adults/hockey guys with gear so we remove the carseats, let me rephrase that..I remove the carseats and reinstall....I hate dealing with seatbelts!

TIA

[pastrygirl]

I just checked my LATCH book and it says that the lower LATCH anchors were required starting with model year 2003 cars, though it was available in some 2001 and 2002 model years. I also double-checked the Mountaineer section -- there are no LATCH anchors in the 2002, unfortunately. (If I'm reading the book right, there are 3 top tether anchors in the middle row and 2 top tether anchors in the back row.)

[Joolsplus2]

That sounds right, my friend's 02 Explorer was LATCH-less (shocking, considering Ford put it in 2000 Focuses... But what seats? It's overall not hard to do FF seats with the belt (easier, IMO...depending on the car), and the top tether will be the hardest part of it, I think....

[ahrimie]

i think cars were required to have LATCH systems starting 2002... so models from 2003 have them. i have a 2002 santa fe and it doesn't have LATCH.

[bubbaray]

Nope, my daycare providers 2002 Explorer does not have LATCH.

[mom2binsd]

Thanks....now it looks like we're getting an 05 Durango...took it home overnight...it will work fine...although there are only 2 latch connectors in the outboard positions in the 2nd row bench...there are 3 top tethers in the 2nd row and NONE in the 3rd row...wierd...but we won't ever need to put 3 kids in it...we have a minivan for that situation...it is a nice vehicle...bright white with tan leather and in great shape a sweet deal (although DH misses his R350 Mercedes..