Recall for AutoLiv Seatbelt Retractors: Malfunction Could Impact Safety of Child Restraints
Is your vehicle affected by this recall?
If you drive a 2021 or 2022 model vehicle, check your vehicle to see if it is impacted by this recall at the following link:
What is this recall about?
AutoLiv’s seatbelt assembly recall impacts more than 135,000 vehicles across at least 16 brands. The problem is with the ALR (Automatic Locking Retractor). This is the feature built into most current vehicles that allows the seatbelt to be switched into a locked mode in order to secure a child’s car seat. A manufacturing defect may cause the ALR to deactivate early preventing proper installation of a car seat. This recall may impact only certain seatbelts in your vehicle and varies by vehicle model.
The faulty retractors do NOT impact the performance of the seatbelt in ELR mode (Emergency Locking Retractor) so booster riders and adult passengers are not impacted.
Consumer Reports reported in August that owners of newer vehicles from Audi, BMW, Ford, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen, and other auto manufacturers should check their vehicle for recalls specifically relating to the seatbelt assembly but they also reported that vehicles from Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Stellantis (parent company of Chrysler, Ram, Jeep, Dodge, etc) may be impacted as well. Owners may not be notified yet so it’s best to proactively check your vehicles for this recall.
Honda has issued one of the most recent seatbelt related recalls affecting Accord, CR-V, Insight and Ridgeline models.
If my vehicle is impacted, what do I need to do?
First, schedule an appointment at a dealership to have the repairs completed at no charge. In the meantime, if you are currently installing a child restraint in an affected seat positions, take ONE of the following immediate actions…
- Use your car seat’s built in lock-off (this is the preferred method for installing with a seatbelt when a lock-off is present anyway).
- Use lower anchors IF your child is within the weight limit to use this method of installation.
- Switch to a seating position without the recalled seatbelt assembly.
- Use a locking clip to install your child restraint. This method is the most difficult and we strongly recommend reaching out to a CPST for help if this is your only option.
*If you have a forward facing car seat, don’t forget to use your tether!*