Nobody's perfect, right? You bet it's right!
Not even the most perfected creatures in the Universe, human beings, are flawless; therefore, what man's hand has made sometimes turns out faulty.
When it comes to the car seats, manufacturers are tirelessly working to make the seats 100% safe for your children. Yet, even the most professional experts cannot predict particular circumstances that can prove the seat not entirely safe. That is why once the mistake is found, manufacturers issue recalls and inform you of the following steps to be made.
Now, besides the fact that you should register your child restraint system to get informed on recalls, you have another role in the process. Namely, parent's complaints lead to analysis and inspections of the seats that may result in recalls. That is why it is of crucial importance for you to learn more about the entire process and keep up with the updates.
In the following text, we will provide all the essential information about the car seat recalls and provide a list of recent models issued.
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Car Seat Recalls Overview
You might have wondered what the first step in the recall process is, and how the manufacturers find some issues in the seats produced. Well, you might be surprised that you have a more significant role in this process than you have probably imagined.
Namely, the entire process starts with the customer complaints, that is, the parents' complaints. Once you notice a fault in the car seat you're using, you should file a complaint to the manufacturer or NHTSA.
Several similar complaints indicate that there might exist a safety issue that should be addressed and investigated. NHTSA's experts then analyze the safety issue to determine the severity of potential safety threats, the frequency of its occurrence, and potential hazards.
They start an investigation that scrutinizes the problem and ends either in notifying the manufacturer that a recall needs to be issued or determining that a safety threat does not exist. However, manufacturers usually initiate the recalls themselves, and seldom does the NHTSA interfere.
Once the recall is issued, you receive an email notifying you about the following steps. Sometimes, the manufacturers provide a refund, remedy the problem, or repurchase the products.
Yet, as you can see, the fault cannot be detected without your help. For that reason, exactly you must file a complaint each time you notice a defect and potential safety issue in the car seats you're using.
To be able to follow the recalls, you must register your car seat with the manufacturer or NHTSA and follow the recall list regularly to keep up with the updates.
Also, you can check our comprehensive list of the most recent car seat recalls that the leading manufacturers issued.
The Most Recent Car Seat Recalls
1. Baby Trend Car Seat Recalls List
Baby Trend, Hybrid LX, 3-in-1
Baby Trend incorporation recalled two booster seat models, Hybrid LX 3-in-1 Centennial booster seats (model FB58181), produced on 23.6.2016, and Hybrid LX 3-in-1 Kiwi booster seats (model FB48417), produced on 14.6.2016.
Namely, the issued models have a center adjuster rivet that can break or pull through if the child weighs more than forty pounds. This could lead to severe injuries in the case of a crash.
As of February 13, 2017, the manufacturer gives a full refund or car seat replacement. You can contact their customer service at 1-800-328-7363.
Baby Trend, Trendz Fastback, 3-in-1
Baby Trend incorporation recalled Trendz Fastback 3-in-1 child restraint systems, model FB60070 (Granite) and FB60408 (Jellybean), produced between Oct 2011 and Jul 2013.
The recall was issued due to defected harness buckle that sometimes remains stuck in a latched position and cannot unbuckle. This defect presents a safety issue because you might not be able to unbuckle and take your child in case of an emergency.
As of April 25, 2014, the manufacturer provides replacement buckles to the issued model owners.
You can contact their customer service at 1-800-328-7363.
2. BRITAX Car Seat Recalls List
Britax B-Safe 35
Britax Child Safety Incorporation recalled rear-facing infant child safety seats: B-Safe 35, B-Safe 35 Elite, B-Safe 35 Travel Systems, B-Safe 35 Elite Travel Systems, and BOB B-Safe, produced between November 1, 2015, and May 31, 2017, due to an ABS center tab on the chest clip that may break and become a choking hazard to infants.
As of June 21, 2017, Britax has provided a new PC chest clip to the owners, free of charge; hence, you can contact them at 1-833-474-7016.
The exact model numbers, you can find on this page.
What is more, B-Safe 35 Elite (check the exact models here), B-Safe 35 Elite Travel SY (check the exact models here), B-Safe 35 Travel System (check the exact models here), produced between October 1, 2014, and July 1, 2015, are recalled due to faulty handles that may crack and cause the seat to fall.
As of January 21, 2016, Britax has been sending a remedy kit free of charge to the owners. You can contact Britax Customer Service at 1-800-683-2045.
Britax Advocate Clicktight, Boulevard Clicktight, Marathon Clicktight Convertible Child Restraints
Britax Child Safety Corporation recalled Convertible Child Restraint Systems Advocate ClickTight (you can find the model numbers here), Boulevard ClickTight child seats (you can find the model numbers here), Marathon ClickTight (you can find the model numbers here), produced between August 1, 2014, and July 29, 2015.
The seats were recalled due to a defect in the harness; namely, there is a red button, the adjuster, that gets stuck in the bottom position and loses the shoulder harness, which affects the children's safety.
As of August 14, 2015, Britax has been sending the owners a remedy kit with lubricants for the adjuster, free of charge. You can contact the manufacturer's customer service at 1-888-427-4829.
3. Diono Car Seat Recalls List
Diono Convertible and Booster Car Seats: Olympia, Pacifica, Radian R100, Radian R120, Radian RXT, Rainer
Diono car seat manufacturer recalled Olympia, Pacifica, Radian R120, RXT, and Rainer convertible and booster seats, produced between April 12, 2014, and March 31, 2015.
The seats were recalled because they have proven not to provide the child's optimal protection in the case of an accident when installed in a forward-facing position with a lap belt but without a top tether. This could lead to a serious chest injury of a child in the case of an accident.
As of November 22, 2017, Diono has been providing remedy kits with upgraded instructions, an energy-absorbing pad, and a chest clip for free. You can contact their customer service at 1-855-215-4951.
4. Evenflo Car Seat Recalls List
Evenflo, Evolve, 3-in-1 seat
Evenflo Company Incorporation recalled the Evolve 3-in-1 combination booster seats (34411700) produced between February 26, 2015, and February 9, 2016, as well as another model, 34411741, produced between May 27, 2015, and February 9, 2016.
The seats were recalled because children can reach the button intended for tightening the harness. This defect is very dangerous because kids could loosen the harness and remain unsafely restrained in a vehicle.
As of September 28, 2016, the manufacturer has been providing the remedy kits to the owners, consisting of an additional adjustment button for free. You can contact the manufacturer's customer service at 1-800-233-5921.
Evenflo Embrace 35
Evenflo Company, Incorporation recalled a two-piece, rear-facing child restraint Evenflo Embrace 35, produced between Dec 2011 and May 2013.
The issued models were recalled because the buckle AmSafe QT1 could not be easily released, and sometimes at all released. This is dangerous because the kids could not be easily removed from the car in the case of an accident.
As of November 3, 2014, the manufacturer has been providing replacement buckles and instructions on the process of replacement to the owners. You can contact their customer service at 1-800-490-7591.
5. Graco Car Seat Recalls List
Graco, My Ride 65, Convertible Child Restraint
Graco Children's Products Incorporation recalled the convertible child restraint Graco, My Ride 65, produced between May 20, 2014, and August 1, 2014.
The models were recalled because they do not comply with federal requirements since the seat webbing does not provide the optimal protection to the child restrained in the case of an accident.
As of July 7, 2017, the manufacturer has been providing new harnesses to the owners and dealers. You can contact their customer service at 1-800-345-4109.
Graco, Torbobooster Booster Seats
Graco Children's Products Incorporation recalled the booster seats Torbobooster (here you can find the model numbers), produced between December 22, 2015, and April 5, 2016.
The seats were recalled because the instructions did not include the information that seats should always be belted to the car seats, even when they are not occupied. This is dangerous because, in the case of an accident, the unrestrained car seat can fly and hit passengers in the car, causing injuries.
As of June 8, 2016, the manufacturer has been providing the new instruction to the owners of the Toorbobooster seats. You can contact their customer service at 1-800-345-4109.
Graco, Aprica A30, Snugride, Snugride 30, Snugride 35, Snugride Classic Connect, Snugride Click Connect 40 Rear-Facing Child Restraint Systems
Graco Children's products Incorporation recalled Aprica A30, Snugride, Snugride 30, Snugride 35, Snugride Classic Connect, Snugride Click Connect 40 rear-facing child restraint systems, produced between Jul 2010 and May 2013.
They were recalled because the harness buckle cannot unlatch properly, which can make the child's evacuation in the case of an emergency difficult or impossible.
As of August 2014, Graco has been sending owners the replacement buckle. You can contact their customer service at 1-877-766-7470.
6. Kiddy Car Seat Recalls List
Kiddy, Kiddy World Plus, Forward-Facing Car Seats
Kiddy USA recalled Combination Forward-Facing Kiddy World Plus Seats, produced between July 2, 2012, and October 5, 2013.
The issued car seats were recalled because the buckle does not latch properly. It seems like the tongue is properly connected to the buckle when, in fact, it is not. Consequently, the children are not appropriately restrained and can get injured in the case of an accident.
As of June 15, 2016, the manufacturer has been reimbursing the owners the full price of the car's seat and the packaging costs. You can contact the manufacturer's customer service at 1-855-92-KIDDY.
7. Recaro Child Safety Car Seat Recalls List
Recaro, Performance Ride, Proride Child Restraint Systems
Recaro Child Safety recalled Performance Ride, Proride Child Restraint Systems (332.01, 333.01), manufactured between April 9, 2010, and June 9, 2015.
The issued models were recalled because it has been found that the top tether may detach from the child restraint system in the case of an accident. Therefore, the children are at risk of getting injured severely in this case.
As of September 16, 2015, the manufacturer has been providing the owners with a repair kit, including a webbing with loops and instructions on how to repair the issue effectively. You can contact the manufacturer's customer service at 1-866-628-4750.
8. Merritt Car Seat Recalls List
Merritt Angel Guard Angel Ride Car Beds
Merritt manufacturing Incorporation recalled Meritt Angel Guard Angel Ride car beds, produced between August 8, 2019, and October 24, 2019.
The issued models were recalled because the harness seems not to be securely sewn at the buckle area. Hence the entire system is questionably safe for the children in the case of an accident, as it cannot provide the proper restraint, and kids could get injured.
Therefore, as of January 15, 2020, the manufacturer has been providing replacement harnesses for free. You can make constant the manufacturer's customer service at 1-317-409-0146.
This has been the latest car seat recall in the last ten years. More information about even older car seat recalls you can find on this BuckleUp list of car seat recalls for models not older than ten years, and the list made by SafetyBelt USA, last edited on June 11, 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Seat Recalls
What is a car seat recall?
A car seat recall represents the process issued by a manufacturer or the NHTSA when a particular car seat model, already produced and sold, is found to be not entirely safe due to a certain defect.
When is a car seat recall necessary?
NHTSA or the manufacturer decides to issue a recall when the defect noticed in a certain car seat model affects the safety of a child, restrained in the system issued, and no longer provides proper security in the case of an accident.
What does a recall mean to me?
When a certain manufacturer or NHTSA issues a recall, you need to contact them if you have the model issued so that they can send you a remedy kit, refund, or new car seat.
It is extremely dangerous to keep using a recalled car seat without the replacement parts or proper reparation.
Once the potential safety hazard is determined, the car seat is no longer safe for your kid, and thus he/she can get severely hurt in the case of an accident.
How do I find out about the car seat recalls?
In order to find out about the potential recalls, you need to register your car seat with the manufacturer or at the NHTSA's page. In this way, if the recall is issued, you will be informed about it via email.
You should also check the NHTSA's page with recalls from time to time, just to make sure the car seat you're currently using is still entirely safe without any malfunctions detected.
How do I register my car seat?
You can register your car seat on the manufacturer's web page or NHTSA's page. Either way, you will need a production date, model number, and serial number. You can look at these numbers on the label at the bottom of the seat, or perhaps on the side.
For additional information, watch this useful videos on car seat recalls.
Additionally, more useful information on car seats, how to choose one, whether you should bring it on a plane and use it in a taxi, you can find following this link.
Do I need to pay for the remedy kit or replacement parts?
You won't be charged anything for the replacement parts or remedy kits. The manufacturers are providing these for free.
Should I continue to use a recalled seat?
Many defects are minor, but some are serious. All problems should be corrected as soon as possible. If you do not have another seat to use, ask the manufacturer if the seat is safe to use while waiting for replacement parts.
If the manufacturer is out of business, or replacement parts are no longer available, destroy the seat. Use a permanent marker to write "Unsafe for Use". Place it in a plastic garbage bag. remove the pad and harness and dispose of these items separately.
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Final Thoughts
That was all about car seat recalls, folks.
I hope that this text on recalls has proven useful and informative to you, and most of all, I hope you realized the significance of keeping track of the recent recalls. Don't forget that, as a parent, you are responsible for your child's safety.
Never miss filing a complaint if you realize a defect in your child restraint system. These complaints attract the experts’ attention, who can then start the investigation and analyze the problem thoroughly.
However, before anything else, register your car seat. If your car seat is not registered, the manufacturer cannot inform you of the recall issued. Hence, it all starts with you!
Be responsible, and keep your kid safe!
Kathy, I’m looking for the condensed recall list your agency use to put out for technicians. I’m not seeing it and really appreciated it’s easy to navigate layout for our department’s fitting station and technicians. If there’s a link or current one you’re still producing, please email it to me. I run the car seat program at our local fire department here in Wisconsin. Thanks again for all you do! Julie