Table 1 shows one common tether, lower anchor (on car seat or vehicle) related problems of the 2024 Toyota 4Runner.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Tether, Lower Anchor (on Car Seat Or Vehicle) problems |
I purchased two of these car seats at walmart. The worked fine until the girls grew enough to sit forward facing. The method of snaking the latch strap around these makes it impossible to properly tighten. The seats remain loose and cannot be safely used. I am retired from law enforcement and I am familiar with the proper way to secure car seats. I sent a detailed email to babytrend. They have not responded. Purchase & product verification details: manufacturer & model: baby trend hybrid si 3-in-1 combination booster car seat model number: fb49e13b unit 1 serial number: fb 49 00693 ff 000051 (manufactured: 04/23/2025) unit 2 serial number: fb 49 00090 ff 000818 (manufactured: 04/16/2025) purchased walmart supercenter #2055, 344 loudon rd, concord, nh 03301 purchase date & time: January 10, 2026 at 3:49 pm receipt tc / barcode #: 5204 5991 8017 7887 8034 0 walmart item / upc #: 090014036840 quantity & price: 2 units @ $99. 88 each (subtotal: $199. 76) safety concern & technical defect description: as a retired law enforcement officer with 7 years of experience investigating motor vehicle traffic fatalities and analyzing occupant kinematics, I am deeply concerned by the lower latch anchor strap tightening mechanism on these seats. When attempting to secure either seat in a forward-facing position using the lower latch system, the belt path routing and cinch adjuster bind and fail to hold proper tension. Despite applying maximum physical leverage along the designated belt path vector, the seat exhibits excessive lateral and longitudinal play well beyond the 1-inch threshold mandated by fmvss 213 standards. This design defect prevents achieving a secure installation, creating an extreme risk of excessive forward occupant excursion in a crash. Because this represents an active safety hazard, I cannot safely carry children in these seats. I request that baby trend authorize a replacement with an alternative compliant model or issue a full refund of $199. 76.