Volkswagen Recalls Faulty Child Safety Locks

By Chris Chase

Jul 4, 2016

2016 Volkswagen Touareg

2016 Volkswagen Touareg

Summary

Locks could be disengaged by vibration

Volkswagen is recalling more than 1,500 cars to fix rear-door child safety locks that could automatically disengage.

Used in cars since the 1980s, the child safety locks disconnect the interior door release handle from the latch mechanism so that the door can't be opened from the inside, preventing young children (and adults, we suppose) from opening the door into traffic, or while the vehicle is moving.

Transport Canada says in 1,567 examples of the 2016 Volkswagen CC sedan, 2016 Volkswagen Touareg SUV and 2016 Volkswagen Golf R hatchback the safety locks could be disengaged by "external vibration," such as that created when the door is slammed closed.

VW is instructing its dealers to inspect the child safety locks in the affected cars and replace them if necessary.

Meet the Author

As a child, Chris spent most of his time playing with toy cars in his parents’ basement or making car sounds while riding his bicycle. Now he's an award-winning Algonquin College Journalism grad who has been playing with real cars that make their own noises since the early 2000s.