Popular Carseat Manufacturer Graco Recalls Nearly 3.8 Million Carseats

Graco is recalling nearly 3.8 million car safety seats because children can be trapped by "sticking" buckles.

In an emailed statement, Graco said it "identified that food and dried liquids can make some harness buckles progressively more difficult to open over time or become stuck in the latched position." It emphasized that the infant seats were not included in the recall, saying they are "uniquely designed to detach from their base for quick release if needed."

The company said it is offering an improved replacement harness buckle to affected consumers at no cost. "Graco would like to stress 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 said in the statement. The buckles may not unlatch, making it difficult to remove the child from the seat. That increases the risk of injury in a crash, fire, or other emergency when a speedy exit from the vehicle is required.

NHTSA says it has at least 80 complaints about the seats. Parents said they had to use excessive force to unlatch the harness buckle. In some cases, the straps even had to be cut to free children. The child seat recall covers 11 models sold from 2009 through 2013.

"NHTSA's investigation will remain open pending its evaluation of the Graco recall and until the Agency's consideration of the review of the 7 remaining seat models is completed," the agency said in a statement. This will determine whether a recall is warranted for the popular Snugride infant seats, which is a current source of contention between the NHTSA and Graco.

The recalled models 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 and Argos 70.

Graco's recall was influenced by a NHTSA investigation and addresses 11 of the 18 model seats NHTSA asked Graco to recall. The 7 remaining models include the following rear facing infant seats: Snugride, Snugride 30, Snugride 32, Infant Safe Seat-Step 1, Snugride 35, Tuetonia 35, and Snugride Click Connect 40. NHTSA's investigation will remain open pending its evaluation of the Graco recall and until the matter involving these remaining seat models is resolved.

Consumers can contact Graco at 1-800-345-4109 (toll-free) or 1-330-869-7225.

 

The photo is of a Graco Snugride model which is still under investigation pending recall. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is an agency of the Executive Branch of the U.S. government, part of the Department of Transportation.