Car Seat Recalls

Combi USA of Charlotte, N.C., is recalling about 1,000 Combi Shuttle Travel System (stroller and car seat combos).

The car seat can disengage from the stroller’s frame, posing a fall hazard to infants.

No incidents or injuries are reported.

This recall involves Combi Shuttle model strollers and car seats, which when used together are called a travel system.

The strollers and car seats have model number 6100027 or 6100100 printed on a label on the base of the car seat and stroller’s leg.

The car seat and stroller were sold in titanium (silver) and red chili (red) colors.

Combi is printed on the front of the stroller and the car seat. Shuttle is printed above the model number.

The stroller and car seat combos, manufactured in China, were sold online at Amazon.com, Babies R Us.com, Target.com and other online retailers from June 2015, through September 2016, for between $350 and $400 for the stroller and the car seat when sold together.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the recalled strollers with the car seats attached and contact Combi for a free repair, which consists of straps to secure the car seat to the stroller. Consumers can continue to use the strollers and car seats separately.

Consumers may contact Combi USA toll-free at 844-332-6730 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday or online at www.combiusa.com and click on “Safety Notifications” at the bottom of the page for more information. Combi USA will contact consumers who registered their products.

Combi USA is recalling 39,395 Coccoro Convertible Child Restraints, model number 8220, manufactured January 1, 2009, to June 29, 2016.

When the car seat is installed in a forward facing position and secured with only the vehicle’s lap belt, excessive force may be transmitted to the seat occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury. As such, these child seats fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 213, "Child Restraint Systems."

In the event of a crash, the seat occupant is at an increased risk of injury.

This recall does not affect the use of the Coccoro child restraint when it is installed in a rearward-facing position.

What to do

Combi will notify owners, and provide them with a cover to be added to the bottom of the seat, free of charge. The recall was expected to begin in July 2016.

Owners may contact Combi customer service at 1-888-232-3294, or by going to http://registration.combiusa.com/recall. Combi's number for this recall is 610.  

OXO of El Paso, Texas, is recalling about 25,000 Nest booster seats in the U.S. and Canada.

The stitching on the restraint straps can loosen which allows the straps to separate from the seat, posing a fall hazard to children.

The firm has received 5 reports of the stitching coming undone releasing the straps following a child pulling on the strap or an adult tightening the straps. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves the Nest booster seat sold in green (model 6367200), pink (model 6367300), taupe (model 6367500) and orange (model 6367400) with a white base. A sticker affixed to the underside of the seat reads “Nest Booster Seat” with the model number and manufacture date. The manufacture date code represents the month and year in MMYY format and recalled units have the code: 0714, 0814, 0914, 1014, 1114 or 1214.

The formed plastic seats are about 13 inches wide, by 14 inches tall, by 12 inches deep and have a grey 3-point child restraint strap system. The OXO logo is embossed on the restraint system’s buckle.

The booster seats, manufactured in China, were sold at Buybuy Baby, Toys“R”Us/Babies“R”Us and independent specialty stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com from September 2014, through April 2015, for about $55.

Consumers should immediately stop using the Nest booster seats and contact OXO for a free repair kit with redesigned safety straps and installation instructions.

Consumers may contact OXO at (800) 545-4411 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or by email at info@oxo.com.

Graco Children's Products recalling 1.910,000 rear-facing child restraints manufactured between July 2010 and May 2013.

The models subject to recall include:

• SnugRide
• SnugRide Classic Connect (including Classic Connect 30 and 35)
• SnugRide 30
• SnugRide 35
• SnugRide Click Connect 40
• Aprica A30.

The defect involves difficulty in unlatching the harness buckle. In some cases, the buckle becomes stuck in a latched condition so that it cannot be opened by depressing the buckle's release button.

It may be difficult to remove the child from the restraint, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a vehicle crash, fire, or other emergency, in which a prompt exit from the vehicle is required.

Graco will replace the buckle with a new design, free of charge. The recall began on August 5, 2014. Owners may contact Graco at 1-877-766-7470 or by email at consumerservices@gracobaby.com.  

Not sure which car seat to use for your child?  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) may have what you need.

The agency is launching a new Car Seat Finder Tool, adding the ability to look up car seat recalls on its mobile app, and reminding parents and caregivers to register their child's car seat through its new campaign – “Don't Delay. Register Your Car Seat Today.”

A child under the age of 13 is involved in a crash every 34 seconds and more than a third of children killed in crashes were not in car seats or wearing seat belts. NHTSA's new Car Seat Finder Tool is designed to help parents select the right car seat or booster seat for their child, while the campaign is a reminder of the importance of registering car seats to receive important safety recall notifications.

“Safety is our highest priority, and our new tool and registration campaign are two more ways we're working to protect our most vulnerable passengers -- our children,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “Parents and caregivers are the first line of defense by ensuring they are selecting the right car seat, registering it, and using it correctly for every trip.”

Millions recalled

In 2014, NHTSA pushed manufacturers to recall seats with defective buckles to ensure owners received a replacement buckle at no cost. That led to the recall of more than 7.4 million car seats and yet -- on average -- only 40% of people get their car seat fixed, compared with an average of 75% for light vehicles, for which registration is required by law.

The NHTSA campaign urges caregivers to register their car seat so manufacturers know how to notify them of a recall and how to receive the free fix. The agency’s Parent Central site allows parents and caregivers to select their manufacturer or brand of car seat and directly links them to the manufacturer's registration page. In addition, the agency encourages people to utilize the updated SaferCar app which now allows users to search for car seat recalls, in addition to vehicle and tire recalls. The app also provides information on where people can go for help in installing their car seats.

“Regardless of age or the length of the trip, children should always be properly restrained in a car seat, booster or seat belt that is installed correctly and free from safety defects,” said NHTSA Deputy Administrator David Friedman. “The first step for a parent is finding the right seat and our new Car Seat Finder Tool helps sort through the numerous options in car seats to ensure they're making the best choices for their child passengers.”

What to do

NHTSA offers parents and caregivers the following safety tips:

• Utilize NHTSA's Car Seat Finder Tool to determine the right seat for your child based on age and size;

• Read the instructions and labels that come with your child's car seat and read the vehicle owner's manual for important information on installing the seat in your particular vehicle;

• Register your child's car seat with the manufacturer to ensure you receive important safety recall notifications;

• If your child's car seat is subject to a recall, follow contact the manufacturer and follow their guidance to receive a free fix for your seat;

• Go to your local car seat inspection station to have your seat checked by a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician;

• Use the lower anchors and tethers for child restraint systems or seat belt to install your car seat and use the top tether to secure forward-facing car seats;

• Be sure all children under 13 years are seated and properly restrained in the back seat; and

• Always wear your seat belt to set a good example. Unbuckled drivers are more likely to have unrestrained children in the car.

Recaro Child Safety is recalling 39,181 Recaro ProSport model 385 child restraints, manufactured from June 16, 2010, through January 31, 2013.

When the affected child seats are installed with the LATCH lower anchors only (without the top tether), the child's head can move excessively, increasing the risk of injury. In the event of a crash, the child restraint could fail to protect the child from contacting interior surfaces of the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.

Recaro will notify registered owners and will provide, at no cost, a label to affix over the existing information label and a complete set of new instructions informing owners to discontinue use of the LATCH system when the weight of the child reaches 40 pounds. The campaign is expected to begin during August 2014.

Owners may contact Recaro at 1-888-973-2276.

Baby Trend, Inc. is recalling 16,655 model year 2011 and 2012 TrendZ Fastback 3-in-1 child restraints, models FB60070 (Granite) and FB60408 (Jellybean), manufactured between October 2011, and July 2013.

A defect makes it difficult to unlatch the harness buckle. In some cases, the buckle becomes stuck in a latched condition so that it cannot be opened by depressing the buckle's release button.

This could make it hard to remove the child from the restraint, increasing the risk of injury in the event of an emergency in which a prompt exit from the vehicle is required.

Baby Trend will notify registered owners and will provide replacement buckles when they become available. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule or buckle availability schedule.

Owners may contact Baby Trend at 1-800-328-7363.  

Evenflo Company is recalling 1,368,649 convertible and harnessed child restraints, models Momentum 65 (including LX and DLX), Chase (including LX, DLX, and Select), Maestro (including Performance), Symphony (including 65, LX, 65 E3, and DLX), Snugli All-In-One, Snugli Booster, Titan 65, SureRide DLX, and Secure Kid (including LX, DLX, 100, 300, and 400).

The affected seats have model number prefixes of 306, 308, 310, 329, 345, 346, 371 or 385.

The defect involves difficulty in unlatching the harness buckle. In the convertible car seats and harnessed booster seats, the buckle may become stuck in a latched condition so that it cannot be opened by depressing the buckle's release button.

That could make it hard to remove the child from the restraint, increasing the risk of injury in the event of an emergency in which a prompt exit from the vehicle is required.

Evenflo will notify registered owners in April 2014, and start providing replacement buckles along with installation instructions.

Owners may contact Evenflo at 1-800-490-7591 or online at www.buckle.evenflo.com .

A complete list of the production dates of the affected seats is available at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/UCM453080/RCDNN-14C003-7777.pdf

Not all seats within the date ranges listed are included, so consumers should contact Evenflo at the above number or website with the seat's model and date of manufacture to confirm that their seat is included.

In early February, Graco Children's Products announced the recall of millions of model year 2009 through 2013 toddler and booster child restraints.

The defect involves difficulty in unlatching the harness buckle. In some cases, the buckle becomes stuck in a latched condition so that it cannot be opened by depressing the buckle's release button. It may be difficult to remove the child from the restraint, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a vehicle crash, fire, or other emergency, in which a prompt exit from the vehicle is required.

The company is now including an additional 403,222 seats in this recall, bringing the total to more than 4.1 million. The following model year 2006 through 2014 seats are included:

• Argos 70 Elite
• Ready Ride
• Step 2
• My Ride 65 with Safety Surround
• My Size 70
• Head Wise 70 with Safety Surround
• Nautilus 3-in-1
• Nautilus Plus
• Smart Seat with Safety Surround

Graco is offering to replace the buckle with a new design, free of charge. Registered owners will be notified beginning around early April 2014, and offered the free replacement buckle.

All other owners may contact Graco at 1-800-345-4109 (toll-free) or 1-330-869-7225.

Graco Children's Products is recalling 3,773,379 model year 2009 through 2013 toddler and booster child restraints. The models subject to recall include:

• Cozy Cline
• Comfort Sport
• Classic Ride 50
• My Ride 65
• My Ride with Safety Surround
• My Ride 70
• Size 4 Me 70
• Smartseat Nautilus
• Nautilus Elite
• Argos 70

The alleged defect involves difficulty in unlatching the harness buckle. In some cases, the buckle becomes stuck in a latched condition so that it cannot be opened by depressing the buckle's release button.

The problems could make it difficult to remove the child from the restraint, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a vehicle crash, fire, or other emergency, in which a prompt exit from the vehicle is required.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation into the problem based on 25 reports from consumers that alleged difficulty in unlatching the harness buckle on their subject child seat.

Since opening the investigation ODI has received 55 additional reports. Consumers state that excessive force and/or effort is required to push the button to unlatch the harness. Some reported not being able to unlatch the buckle at all and were forced to remove their children by pulling them through the still buckled harness, or in some cases, by cutting the harness straps.

The subject child seats utilize two different types (designs) of harness buckles, the "Signature" and the "QT" types, both of which are subject to the investigation. Each buckle type operates differently and has dissimilar latching and actuating mechanisms. The Signature buckle has a sliding release button that must be pushed downward to release the harness, while the QT buckle has a button that must be pushed inward to be released.

Graco acknowledges that food and dried liquids that can make some harness buckles progressively more difficult to open over time or become stuck in the latched position. But, the company says, this does not in any way affect the performance of the car seat or the effectiveness of the buckle to restrain the child.

The company is offering what it says is a new and improved replacement harness buckle to affected consumers at no cost. Graco says if cleaning has not improved the performance of the buckle, consumers may contact customer service 800-345-4109 (Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.) or by email at consumerservices@gracobaby.com.