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Car Seat Recall Alert: Evenflo Recalls 56,000 Car Seats That Babies Might Be Able To Unlock

Published on: February 26, 2016 at 12:09 PM
By Manasi Gandhi

Car seats have been recalled by Evenflo because curious children may be able to loosen the internal harness, thus increasing their risk of injury in a crash. The company is recalling over 56,000 child safety seats.

The recall covers Transitions Three-in-One Combination Booster Seats made from Dec. 18, 2014, through Jan. 29, 2016. The company reported in government documents that the central front adjuster button that loosens the harness may be within a child’s reach. If the harness doesn’t fit snugly, that increases the chance of loosening the harness and possible injury.

Evenflo said the problem only affects the seats when they’re used as forward-facing harnessed boosters. The company also stated no injuries have been reported. The problem was discovered in late January during Evenflo’s analysis of consumer feedback.

Evenflo is notifying owners and will send a kit with a new seat pad and front adjuster assembly. Evenflo is providing, at no charge, a remedy kit that will virtually eliminate a child’s access and activation of the CFA. The remedy kit includes a replacement bottom seat pad, CFA assembly, and installation instructions.

For additional guidance on installing the replacement parts, view the installation video

Before receipt of your remedy kit, Evenflo asks consumers to pay attention to whether their children are accessing the CFA area. The vast majority of children do not show an interest in gaining access to this area. If your child is not accessing the CFA area, then there is no risk of the CFA being activated, and the Transitions seat may be used safely in harnessed mode until your remedy kit is installed. If your child is accessing the CFA area prior to your receipt of a remedy kit, then your Transitions seat still may be safely used in either high-back or no-back belt-positioning modes with children at least 40 pounds and 43.3 inches. If your child does not meet the size requirements for use of Transitions as a belt-positioning booster and is also gaining access to the CFA area, then please discontinue use of the seat until the remedy kit is installed.

Evenflo Safety Advocate Sarah Haverstick issued a statement for the company.

“Evenflo identified this safety concern through our regular review of customer feedback. We’re working closely with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and publicizing the voluntary campaign via mail to registered consumers, notices to retailers and updates to social media channels. The safety of your children is of the greatest important to us.”

“If your child is only able to use the Transitions seat in harnessed mode because of his or her size and you’ve observed your child pulling back the seat pad to access the Central Front Adjuster, please discontinue using the seat until you’ve installed the free remedy kit,” said Haverstick. “If your child is 40 pounds and 43 inches tall, fitting the requirements for using the seat in its two belt-positioning modes, or is not pulling back the seat pad in harnessed mode, the seat may be used safely until your remedy kit arrives.”

In a notice posted with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Evenflo says model numbers 34411686, 34411695, and 34411029 were affected by the issue.

For nearly a century, Evenflo has been a worldwide leader in the development of innovative infant equipment. Today, Evenflo’s product offerings include car seats, travel systems, safety gates, high chairs, play yards, stationary activity centers, infant carriers, and doorway jumpers. Evenflo strives to make protecting and nurturing children simple and supported so every family will have greater enjoyment raising children.

[Photo by Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Evenflo]

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