Dorel Car Seat Recall Issued Due to Defective Safety Harness

About 800,000 Dorel child safety seats are being recalled due to a problem with the harness and release button, which could pose a substantial risk of a child in the seat suffering an injury in the event of an auto accident.  

The Dorel car seat recall was announced on Monday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which began investigating reports of problems with the car seats last March.

According to the NHTSA, the recalled child car seats have a release button on the harness that does not always return to the locked position. If the button is not locked, the harness adjustment strap can slip back through the adjuster if the child moves around, causing the harness to loosen.

Although there have been no injuries reported in connection with the Dorel child safety seat problems, this could pose a substantial hazard for infants or young children.

More than 50 models are included in the car seat recall by Dorel, including infant safety seats, booster seats, and convertible child safety seats sold alone or as part of a travel system with a stroller.

All of the affected child safety seats were manufactured between May 1, 2008 and April 30, 2009, and have a “Center Front Adjuster” (CFA) on the harness. A complete list of models affected by the recall is available in the NHTSA recall report.

The Dorel Juvenile Group (DJG) has announced plans to provide a repair kit to consumers who have the recalled child safety seats, which will include a non-toxic, food-grade lubricant that can prevent the CFA button from sticking, as well as instructions on how to properly apply it, and a label that indicates it has been repaired.

The NHTSA says that parents who wish to continue to use the car seats can do so, but should make certain that the harness is properly adjusted and the lock/release button is in the fully locked position. Once the child is in the seat and adjustments are made, the caregiver should pull on the shoulder part of the harness to ensure it is secure and will not loosen, the NHTSA advised.

Consumers with questions should contact DJG at 1-866-623-3139.