CARFAX: Nearly One Million Vehicles Have Open Child Seat Anchor Safety Recalls
Rhea-AI Summary
CARFAX warns that nearly one million vehicles on U.S. roads have open recalls for defective LATCH child-seat anchors, a safety issue that can prevent proper installation of car seats.
The defects cited include faulty welds, misaligned anchors, and coatings that interfere with installation across many makes and model years. CARFAX recommends owners check recalls via its free Recall Tracker or Car Care app and schedule free repairs with dealerships or manufacturers.
Positive
- CARFAX provides a free Recall Tracker and Car Care app to find open recalls
- Manufacturers/dealerships offer free repairs for recalled LATCH defects
Negative
- Nearly 1,000,000 vehicles in the U.S. have open LATCH safety recalls
- Defects include faulty welds, misaligned anchors, and obstructive coatings
- LATCH misuse rates remain significant, increasing risk even when anchors exist
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, SPGI declined 5.00%, reflecting a notable negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Peers showed mixed modest moves: MCO (-0.13%), ICE (+0.44%), CME (+2.56%), MSCI (+1.00%), NDAQ (+0.63%). This points to stock-specific positioning rather than a clear sector-wide drive.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 15 | Regulatory resolution | Neutral | +0.1% | SEC dismissal of enforcement proceeding against IEH, unrelated but in recent feed. |
| Jan 14 | Dividend increase | Positive | +0.1% | Board approved <b>1.0%</b> dividend hike to <b>$0.97</b> per share. |
| Jan 14 | Mobility awards | Positive | +0.5% | S&P Global Mobility loyalty awards highlighted OEM retention and model performance. |
| Jan 12 | Business divestiture | Neutral | +0.5% | Completion of EDM and thinkFolio sale to STG, no material financial impact noted. |
| Jan 09 | Earnings scheduling | Neutral | +0.1% | Announcement of Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings release and conference call date. |
Recent SPGI-related headlines, including portfolio moves and dividend policy actions, have generally coincided with small positive price reactions, indicating a pattern of modest constructive responses to company updates.
Over the past few weeks, news around S&P Global has focused on portfolio optimization, shareholder returns, and mobility-related branding. On Jan 12, 2026, SPGI completed the sale of its EDM and thinkFolio businesses with no material financial impact stated, and the stock reacted positively. A 1.0% dividend increase to $0.97 per quarter was announced on Jan 14, 2026, alongside Mobility loyalty awards. An earnings call was scheduled for Feb 10, 2026. Against this backdrop, today’s CARFAX child-seat safety data sits more as brand-adjacent news than a direct financial catalyst.
Market Pulse Summary
The stock moved -5.0% in the session following this news. A negative reaction despite neutral-to-positive brand implications would fit a scenario where investors prioritize core financial drivers over ancillary data products. Recent SPGI news, such as divestitures and a small dividend increase, saw mild positive responses, so a sharp decline on this CARFAX safety-focused update could reflect broader profit-taking or rotation rather than a judgment on the underlying business.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Parents, Beware: Check Vehicles Now for Ongoing LATCH Safety Risk
LATCH, which stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children, is the child seat anchoring system required in most vehicles since 2003; it uses built-in metal anchors and tethers to secure car seats without relying on seat belts. These anchors are a critical safety feature that strap child seats to hold them firmly in place, helping keep children properly restrained, especially in a crash.
CARFAX analysis shows hundreds of thousands of vehicles have been recalled in recent years for child seat anchor defects, including faulty welds, misaligned anchors, and coatings that could interfere with or prevent proper installation. These issues affect a wide range of vehicles across different makes and model years.
"LATCH systems are designed to protect our most vulnerable passengers," said Faisal Hasan, Vice President of Data at CARFAX. "These recalls are not isolated to just one automaker or model year, so parents should check right away if their vehicle has an open recall and schedule free repairs as soon as possible."
Here are the top 10 states with the most unfixed LATCH recalls:
What You Can Do
- Check for Recalls: Use the free CARFAX Car Care app to receive timely maintenance reminders on your vehicle, including open recalls. Use the free CARFAX Recall Tracker to see if your vehicle has an open recall at carfax.com/recall.
- Schedule Your Repairs: Reach out to your dealership or manufacturer to get a fix at no cost to you.
- Know Your Anchors: There are two types of anchors – the lower anchors and tether anchors. Familiarize yourself with where they are located and consult your vehicle and car seat manuals for guidance. Proper use is critical. Studies have shown that child restraint misuse rates remain significant even with LATCH systems, underscoring the importance of correct installation.
Editor's note: Local state and DMA numbers for LATCH recalls are available upon request. Please reach out for any data or interviews. Please contact Em Nguyen at emnguyen@carfax.com.
About CARFAX
CARFAX, part of S&P Global Mobility, helps millions of people every day confidently shop, buy, service, and sell cars with innovative solutions powered by CARFAX® vehicle history information. The expert in vehicle history since 1984, CARFAX provides CARFAX Car Listings, CARFAX Car Care, CARFAX History-Based Value , and the flagship CARFAX Vehicle History Report to consumers and the automotive industry. CARFAX owns the world's largest vehicle history database and is nationally recognized as a top workplace by The Washington Post. Shop, Buy, Service, Sell – Show me the CARFAX®.
S&P Global Mobility is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI). S&P Global is the world's foremost provider of credit ratings, benchmarks, analytics, and workflow solutions in the global capital, commodity, and automotive markets.
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SOURCE CARFAX
FAQ
How many vehicles have open LATCH recalls according to the Jan 20, 2026 CARFAX report (SPGI)?
What specific LATCH defects did CARFAX identify in the Jan 20, 2026 release (SPGI)?
How can vehicle owners check for open LATCH recalls noted by CARFAX on Jan 20, 2026 (SPGI)?
What should parents do if their vehicle is listed with an open LATCH recall in the Jan 20, 2026 CARFAX data (SPGI)?
Does the Jan 20, 2026 CARFAX notice (SPGI) say the LATCH recalls are limited to one automaker or model year?
Are local data or state-by-state LATCH recall numbers available from CARFAX after the Jan 20, 2026 release (SPGI)?
