Recent Car Seat Recalls

Baby in Car Seat
Getty Images / Guido Mieth

Baby car seat manufacturers must occasionally issue recalls in order to better protect your baby when they realize that something about the car seat is faulty. Fortunately, car seat recalls are not very common.

After purchasing a car seat, you should register it with the manufacturer in order to receive the fastest notification of any applicable recalls. If you have not yet registered your car seat, you can do that easily by calling the manufacturer (there's a phone number right on one of the car seat labels) or visiting their website.

It's also a good idea to check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) extensive recall list if you borrow a car seat from a friend or need to use an older car seat again after a period of non-use.

Car Seat Recalls

Below is a list of the most recent car seat recalls and information on corrective actions being taken.

Harmony Big Boost Deluxe

April 17, 2018: Certain Harmony Big Boost Deluxe booster seats were recalled due to the seat belt causing excessive force to be applied to the child's chest in the event of a crash, causing the car seats to fail to comply to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 213. Affected car seats were manufactured between November 1, 2015, and June 24, 2017.

A remedy solution is still being determined and registered owners were mailed notices about the safety risks on August 21, 2018. A second notification will be sent once a remedy is determined. Owners may contact Harmony at 877-306-1001.

Diono

November 22, 2017: Certain Diono Radian R100, Radian R120, Radian RXT, Olympia, Pacifica, and Rainier convertible and booster car seats were recalled due to them failing to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 213 when attached to the car with the lap belt but without the top tether.

Affected car seats were manufactured between November 25, 2013, and September 5, 2017. Diono will notify registered owners and provide a free remedy kit, updated instruction manual, energy-absorbing pad, and new chest clip. If you have not registered, you may contact Diono at 855-215-4951.

Graco My Ride 65

July 7, 2017: More than 25,000 Graco My Ride 65 convertible car seats are recalled because the harness webbing may not adequately restrain a child in a crash. Affected models are: 1871689, 1908152, 1813074, 1872691, 1853478, 1877535, 1813015, and 1794334. Graco will provide registered owners with a replacement harness. If you didn't register your car seat or you aren't sure if your car seat model is included, contact Graco at 800-345-4109.

Britax B-Safe 35

June 21, 2017: Britax recalled certain rear-facing car seats from its B-Safe 35 line due to the center tab on the chest clip marked "ABS" potentially breaking. Affected car seats were manufactured between November 1, 2015 and May 31, 2017.

Registered owners of an affected model will be contacted by Britax and issued a replacement chest clip marked "PC" free of charge. If you have not registered, you may request a replacement clip by contacting Britax at 833-474-7016 or visiting www.bsafe35clip.com.

Affected model numbers: E1A183F, E1A185M, E1A185P, E1A186R, E1A203F, E1A205M, E1A205P, E1A206X, E1A206Z, E1A207E, E9LU65V, E9LU66X, E9LU66Z, E9LU67D, E9LU67E, EXA185M, S02063600, S02063700, S03803400, S03803500, S03803700, S03803800, S03803900, S04144400, S04144500, S04144600, S04145000, S04402800, S04884200, S04884300, S04975600, S04978900, S05260200, S06020300, S06020400, S06020500, S06020600, S06020700, S06020800, S06020900, S06147100, S921800, E1A215T, E1A215U, E1A216P, E1A221Q, E1A225C, E1A225U, E1A226L, E9LS51Q, E9LS56C, E9LS56L, E9LS57F, E9LS57G, E9LS57H, EXA216L, S01298600, S02063800, S02063900, S02064000, S04281200, S04281300, S04628500, S06018800, S06020000, S06020200, S923700, E9LT34A, E9LT34C, E9LT35X, and EXLT34A.

4Moms Self-Installing Infant Car Seat

January 10, 2017: About 1,600 4Moms infant car seats are recalled because a coupling hook may not properly engage around a coupling pin, preventing the car seat from securely attaching to the base. 4Moms will replace the car seat portion for registered owners. If you did not register your car seat, contact 4Moms at 888-614-6667.

Baby Trend Hybrid LX 3-in1 Centennial

Dec. 29, 2016: A small number of Baby Trend Centennial 3-in-1 boosters are recalled because the center adjuster rivet can pull through or break if it is used with a child weighing more than 40 pounds. Baby Trend will notify registered owners and provide a replacement or refund. If you were not notified by the company, call Baby Trend at 800-328-7363.

Kiddy World Plus

April 29, 2016: Nearly 1,500 Kiddy World Plus combination car seats are recalled because the buckle may only partially engage, and may not adequately protect a child in a crash. Registered owners will be notified and will receive a full refund for the car seat. If you did not receive notice of the recall, contact Kiddy USA at 855-92KIDDY.

Evenflo Transitions 3-in-1

March 3, 2016: Transitions car seats manufactured before January 29, 2016, are recalled because a child can reach the center front harness adjuster and loosen the harness. This could allow a child to be improperly restrained, which could lead to injury in a crash. Evenflo will provide a remedy kit to prevent a child from reaching the harness adjuster. Click the headline link to enter model numbers and receive the repair kit.

Graco ComfortSport, Ready Ride, Classic Ride

February 15, 2016: Some Graco car seats are recalled because the labels do not tell consumers where to find the printed instruction manual and to follow both the instructions and the labels.

Affected models are: ComfortSport 1794333 & 1813040 manufactured between March 2014, and February 2015; Classic Ride 1812930 manufactured between March 2014, and February 2015; and Ready Ride 1924519 & 1924520 manufactured between March 2014, and February 2015. Click the headline link to enter the model number and receive replacement labels.

Britax B-Safe 35 Infant Car Seats

January 21, 2016: Britax has received reports of cracks developing around the carry handle on some infant car seats. This could allow the handle to break and a baby to be injured. Please note, this does not affect the crash-worthiness of the car seat. Don't use the carry handle until you have received and installed the repair kit.

Affected infant seats were manufactured between October 1, 2014, and July 1, 2015. For a complete list of B-Safe 35, B-Safe 35 Elite, and B-Safe 35 Travel System model numbers affected, please visit the Britax website above. Registered owners will receive a repair kit,

Britax Click Tight Convertible Car Seats

August 2015: Some Britax Advocate, Boulevard, and Marathon convertible car seats with the ClickTight feature are recalled because the ClickTight button may remain down in the release position after the harness is tightened. Affected car seats were manufactured between August 1, 2014, and July 29, 2015.

In the US, the following model numbers are included: E9LT95Q, E9LT95Z, E9LT95N, E1A025Q, E9LT86F, E1A135Q, E9LT86G, E9LT85Q, E9LT86A, E9LT86H, E9LT85S, E1A015Q, E1A016A, E1A016H, E1A166F, E9LT87J, E1A116L, E9LT76P, E9LT71Q, E9LT76N, E9LT76B, E9LT75R, E9LT76L, E1A006B, E1A005R. In Canada, the following model numbers are included: E9LV31Q, E9LV35R, E9LV36B, E9LV36L, E9LV36N, E9LV45Q, E9LV45S, E9LV46A, E9LV46H, E9LV55N, E9LV55Q, E9LV55Z. If you registered your car seat, Britax will send you a repair kit. If you did not register, visit the ​manufacturer's website to verify your car seat is included and to order a repair kit.

Recaro ProSport Combination Car Seats

August 20, 2014: More than 39,000 Recaro ProSport combination harness and booster seats are recalled because they don't meet the federal requirement for head excursion when installed using the lower anchors and no tether. Excessive head movement in a crash increases the risk of injury. ProSport model 385 car seats made between June 16, 2010, and January 31, 2013, are affected.

If you registered your car seat Recaro will send you a new set of instructions and new labels that indicate you should stop using LATCH once your child reaches 40 pounds. If you did not register your car seat, or you have questions about the recall, contact Recaro at 888-973-2276. It is still safe to install this car seat using a seat belt and to properly install it using lower anchors and a tether for children under 40 pounds.

Graco Infant Car Seats

June 30, 2014: The harness buckles used on about 1.9 million Graco infant car seats are recalled because they can become sticky over time due to build-up of food or drink. This can cause the buckle to be difficult to unlatch. The following models are included:

Model Name Dates Produced
SnugRide
SnugRide Classic Connect
March 1, 2011 through May 31, 2013
SnugRide 30
SnugRide Classic Connect 30
July 1, 2010 through January 31, 2013
SnugRide 35
SnugRide Classic Connect 35
May 1, 2011 through January 31, 2013
SnugRide Click Connect 40 June 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012
Aprica A30 July 1, 2011 through April 30, 2012

Graco will provide registered owners with a replacement buckle. If you did not register your car seat, you should visit GracoBuckleRecall.com to order a new buckle. While you wait for the replacement part, you can clean the existing buckle using manufacturer's instructions.

Evenflo Convertible Car Seats and Harnessed Booster Seats

April 4, 2014: More than 1.3 million Evenflo convertible car seats and harnessed boosters are recalled because the harness buckle can become stuck in the latched position. This is due to a build-up of crumbs or sticky drinks that are spilled in the car seat. If the buckle is functioning normally, there's no risk. The car seat can be used as normal until a replacement buckle arrives. The following car seat models are affected:

Model Name Model Number Prefix Affected Dates of Manufacture
Momentum 65, Momentum 65 LX and Momentum 65 DLX 385 3/4/2013 through 8/26/2013
Chase, Chase LX and Chase Select 306 6/12/2012 through 10/3/2013
Chase LX and Chase DLX 329 8/23/2011 through 3/3/2014
Maestro and Maestro Performance 310 8/22/2011 through 10/17/2013
Symphony 65, Symphony 65 E3, Symphony LX, Symphony DLX and Snugli All-in-One 345 or 346 10/2/2012 through 8/26/2013
Titan 65 and SureRide DLX 371 6/20/2012 through 10/17/2013
Secure Kid LX, Secure Kid DLX, Secure Kid 100, Secure Kid 300, Secure Kid 400 and Snugli Booster 308 12/13/2011 through 3/3/2014

Visit the Evenflo website to order a replacement buckle. You can also use the manufacturer instructions for cleaning the existing buckle if it is difficult to unlatch.

Baby Trend Fastback 3-in-1 Car Seats

April 1, 2014: More than 16,000 Baby Trend Trendz Fastback 3-in-1 car seats are being recalled because the buckle could become stuck in the latched position so that it can't be unlatched by pushing the release button.

Affected models are FB60070 (Granite) and FB60408 (Jellybean) that were manufactured between 10/2011 and 7/2013. Baby Trend will notify registered customers and send a replacement buckle. If you did not register your car seat, call the manufacturer at 800-328-7363 to order a new buckle.

Graco Convertible Car Seats and Harnessed Booster Seats

February 12, 2014: 3.7 million Graco car seats are included in a new recall because the inside of the harness buckle can become sticky over time from food or dried liquids. This could make the buckle harder to open over time and could cause the buckle to stick closed. The recalled seats are fine to use until the new buckle arrives. Recalled models include:

Model Name Dates Produced
Argos 70
Argos 70 Elite
5/1/2011 through 7/31/2013
Classic Ride 50 10/1/2011 through 9/30/2013
Comfort Sport
Ready Ride
10/1/2010 through 9/30/2013
Cozy Cline
Toddler SafeSeat - Step 2
1/1/2006 through 4/30/2010
My Ride 65
My Ride 65 with Safety Surround
4/1/2009 through 7/31/2013; and 9/30/2013*
My Ride 70 5/1/2012 through 7/31/2013
My Size 70
Size4Me 70
Head Wise 70 with Safety Surround
1/1/2012 through 7/31/2013; and 8/3/2013*
Nautilus 3-in-1
Nautilus Plus
Nautilus Elite
10/1/2007 through 7/31/2013; and 8/19/2013*
Smart Seat
Smart Seat with Safety Surround
12/1/2010 through 9/30/2013; and 10/9/2013, 12/25/2013, 1/10/2014*

*Some car seats manufactured after the end date of production were produced
with the subject buckles

Registered owners will receive instructions to order a free replacement harness buckle. Others should visit the Graco recall page to order the replacement buckle.

Combi Coccoro, Zeus Turn, Zeus 360

Jan. 31, 2014: About 33,139 Combi car seats are recalled because the harness webbing fails to meet minimum breaking strength requirements. The following car seat models are recalled: Coccoro car seats manufactured between January 6, 2009, and December 5, 2012; Zeus 360 car seats manufactured between February 25, 2009, and May 24, 2012; Zeus Turn car seats manufactured between July 15, 2007, and March 25, 2009.

Register your car seat with Combi to receive replacement harness webbing. The car seat may be used before the repair kit is installed.

By Heather Corley
Heather Wootton Corley is a mother, freelance writer and certified Child Passenger Safety Technician-Instructor.