BMW Recalls X3, X4 to Repair Child Restraint Anchor Bars

Automotive News reports that BMW has decided to recall 188,670 X3 and X4 crossovers in the U.S. to fix potentially faulty anchor bars that are used in securing child restraint seats.

Details of the BMW Recall

This recall covers the following models:

• Certain 2011-17 X3s built between July 2010 and April 2016
• Certain 2015-17 X4s built between March 2014 and April 2016

According to BMW, “When specifically used with ISOFIX-type rigid-style connector child restraint systems, the lower anchor bars could become damaged over the lifetime of the vehicle.”

The ISOFIX-type rigid-style connector is available in the United States, even though it is mainly used in Europe.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has stated that the defective lower bars may indeed increase a child’s risk of injury or death in the event of a crash.

About the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) System

• The LATCH system is comprised of lower anchors and tether anchors. These are built-in to a vehicle, and connecting hooks that are built-in to the child’s car seat.
• These lower anchors are used instead of the vehicle’s safety belt to secure the child seat to the automobile.
• Tethers are used as an addition in securing the child’s safety seat to the automobile.