How to Check If Your Car Seat Has Been Recalled
Car seat recalls are common — manufacturers have issued hundreds of them, affecting millions of seats. Most recalls are free to resolve. The problem is that many parents never know about a recall because they never registered their seat. This guide explains how to check right now, and how to make sure you are automatically notified in the future.
First Responder Insight: A recalled car seat component — a buckle that fails to release, a harness that does not lock correctly — can be the difference between a child who walks away from a crash and one who does not. Recalls exist because real failure modes were identified. Checking takes five minutes.
What You Need Before You Check
To look up your car seat, have the following ready:
- Brand name — e.g., Graco, Britax, Chicco, Evenflo
- Model name or number — found on the label on the bottom or back of the seat
- Date of manufacture — also on the label; needed because some recalls affect only specific production date ranges
How to Check for Recalls: Step by Step
Check NHTSA.gov
Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls. Select the "Child Safety Seats" category. You can search by manufacturer name or scroll through active and resolved recalls. NHTSA regulates recalls involving motor vehicle safety standards, which covers most car seat structural and harness defects.
Check CPSC.gov
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at cpsc.gov handles recalls that fall outside NHTSA's jurisdiction — including some infant seat accessories and products that are primarily used outside the vehicle. Search for your brand and model here as well.
Use the SaferCar App
NHTSA's free SaferCar app (iOS and Android) allows you to register your car seat and receive automatic push notifications when a recall is issued that affects your registered seat. This is the most reliable way to stay informed.
Sign up for NHTSA email alerts
At nhtsa.gov/recalls, you can register a vehicle or product for email recall alerts. When a new recall matches your registered product, NHTSA sends a direct notification.
Contact the manufacturer directly
If you cannot find the information online, call the manufacturer's customer service number (listed on the seat label or product manual). They can confirm whether your specific model and production batch is subject to any active recalls.
Register Your Car Seat Now
Recall registration is the most important step most parents skip. Without registration, manufacturers have no way to contact you when a recall is issued. Registration takes less than two minutes.
Option 1: Mail the Registration Card
Most car seats include a paper registration card in the box. Fill it out completely — including the model number and manufacture date — and mail it. Some cards also allow online registration via a URL or QR code printed on the card.
Option 2: Register on the Manufacturer Website
Visit the manufacturer's website and locate their product registration page. You will need the model name/number and manufacture date. Registration gives the manufacturer a direct channel to reach you for recalls, safety updates, and replacement parts.
What to Do If Your Seat Has an Open Recall
Steps After Discovering a Recall
- Read the full recall notice. The notice specifies what the defect is, which production batches are affected, and what action to take. Some recalls require stopping use immediately; others specify that continued use is safe until the remedy is received.
- Contact the manufacturer. Contact information is included in the recall notice. Most recalls are remedied with a free repair kit (replacement buckle, new harness clip, etc.) or a full seat replacement — all at no cost to you.
- Do not sell or donate the seat before the recall is resolved. A recalled seat should not be passed on to another family in its current state.
- If the seat requires replacement and you cannot immediately obtain the replacement, use an alternative restraint appropriate for your child's size and age while you wait for the replacement to arrive.
Who Issues Car Seat Recalls
| Agency | What They Cover | Where to Check |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA | Car seat structural and harness defects; failures in crash performance; labeling defects that affect safety | nhtsa.gov/recalls → Child Safety Seats |
| CPSC | Accessories, harness covers, and products that may not fall under NHTSA motor vehicle safety jurisdiction | cpsc.gov |
| Manufacturer voluntary recalls | Some manufacturers issue voluntary recalls without agency enforcement — often the first to appear | Manufacturer website and direct communications |
Key Takeaway
Check nhtsa.gov/recalls and cpsc.gov for your seat's model today — it takes five minutes. Then register your seat with the manufacturer so you are automatically notified of future recalls. Recalls are common, free to resolve, and easy to miss if you are not registered.