Baby Car Seat Recalls

Millions of infant car seats have been recalled in recent years after consumers discovered design or manufacturing flaws that could place their children at risk.

However, because it may take months or years before these problems prompt a baby car seat recall, many children have been injured by these defective car seats before a recall could be issued. As a result, thousands of infants and young children have suffered broken bones, concussions, skull fractures or other serious injuries.

Here are some of the child safety seats which have been recalled in recent years:

Evenflo Car Seat Recalls
In February 2008, Evenflo recalled one million of its Discovery infant car seats after crash tests showed that the car seat could separate from its base in a side impact collision. Although 40% of deaths that occur in baby car seats occur in side impact collisions, the federal government still does not require them to be tested for effectiveness in this type of crash.

Evenflo also issued a baby car seat recall for 450,000 Embrace child safety seats due to an increased risk that children could fall out when the seat is being used as a carrier. At least 160 cases of skull fractures or other injuries have been reported due to this problem.

Britax Car Seat Recalls
In September 2006, the Britax Companion infant car seat was recalled after it was learned that the seats do not conform to U.S. frontal impact crash requirements. This may cause the seat to rotate too far in the event of a crash, resulting in injury or death.

The Britax Marathon car seat was also recalled in October 2007 due to a potential safety hazard for children weighing over 50 lbs. In the event of an accident, the top tether of the car seat could release, causing a child to be able to move forward further than federal safety laws allow.

Britax also recalled its Boulevard child car seat in November 2006 due to a risk that its top tether could break when it is being used, creating a risk of injury.

Graco Car Seat Recalls
The Graco ComfortSport car seat was recalled in August 2007 because of manufacturing problems with the seat’s lower restraint belt. This problem could effect the seat’s effectiveness in the event of a crash.

Dorel, Cosco and Eddie Bauer Car Seat Recalls
The Dorel Juvenile Group recalled 19 models of baby car seats in September 2007 over a risk that a harness could loosen during a crash. This could cause a child to move too far forward, increasing the risk of injury. This infant car seat recall affected those sold under the Safety 1st, Cosco, Eddie Bauer, Alpha Omega, Enspira and Intera labels.