How do I check if my car seat has been recalled?

Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and select the "Car Seats" tab, or search by brand and model name. You can also check cpsc.gov for any recalls not covered by NHTSA. You will need your seat's brand, model name or number, and date of manufacture - found on the label on the bottom or back of the seat.

What should I do if my car seat has a recall?

Contact the car seat manufacturer directly using the contact information in the recall notice. Most recalls are remedied at no cost to you with a free repair kit, replacement part, or full seat replacement. Do not stop using the seat if the recall does not affect its primary function - follow the specific instructions in the recall notice.

How will I find out if my car seat is recalled?

The most reliable way to be notified of a recall is to register your car seat with the manufacturer at the time of purchase, either using the included registration card or through the manufacturer's website. Registered owners receive direct notification by mail or email when a recall affects their seat. NHTSA also maintains email alerts at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Should I stop using a recalled car seat?

Read the recall notice carefully. Some recalls involve minor issues - a label correction, a buckle clip that can be replaced - and the notice will specify that you may continue using the seat until the repair kit arrives. Other recalls may recommend ceasing use immediately. Follow the specific instructions in the recall notice from NHTSA and the manufacturer.

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How to Check If Your Car Seat Has Been Recalled

Car seat recall quick facts

How to check: Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and select Child Safety Seats
What you need: Seat brand, model name/number, and manufacture date (on label on bottom of seat)
Also check: cpsc.gov for accessories not covered by NHTSA
Cost to fix: Recalls are always free - manufacturer provides repair kit or replacement seat
Best protection: Register your seat with the manufacturer for automatic recall notifications

Check NHTSA Recalls Now →Check CPSC Recalls Now →

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.

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

Notable Car Seat Recalls: Examples of Why This Matters

To understand what recalls look like in practice, here are examples of significant past recalls. These are resolved - but illustrate the types of defects that lead to recalls:

Graco: Buckle defect - harness would not unlatch

Nearly 4 million seats (2014)

Food and debris caused the chest buckle to stick, preventing rapid removal of a child after a crash or in a fire. Graco initially proposed a cleaning fix; NHTSA pushed for full buckle replacement. Ultimately Graco issued replacement buckles at no charge.

Britax: Buckle could not be unlatched under certain conditions

Approximately 207,000 seats (2015)

The chest clip latch button could require excessive force to release in a crash scenario. Britax provided free replacement buckles to all registered and identified owners.

Evenflo: Side impact testing failure

Voluntary recall of Big Kid AMP booster (2020)

Consumer Reports found the seat failed side-impact tests at a lower speed than Evenflo claimed. Evenflo voluntarily recalled the seat and offered refunds or replacements, even though NHTSA standards at the time did not require side-impact testing.

Doona: Harness chest clip detachment

104,000 seats (2022)

The chest clip could detach from the harness straps during use, reducing restraint effectiveness. Replacement clips were provided free of charge.

These recalls are resolved. The examples illustrate defect types. Check current active recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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.