Consumer Advisory: Britax Recalling 14,220 ChildChaperone Infant Car Seatsfor Safety Harness Straps That Will Not Properly Restrain Child

For Immediate Release
January 27, 2012
Contact: Derrell Lyles, 202-366-6651

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is alerting consumers of a safety recall involving 14,220 Chaperone Infant Car Seats sold in the U.S. due to a defect in the harness adjuster announced by Britax Child Safety, Inc. today. While NHTSA is unaware of any deaths or injuries related to the issue, the defect can result in ineffective safety harness straps.

The Britax recall affects seat models E9L692J, E9L692K, E9L692L and E9L692M manufactured from September 1, 2010, through April 30, 2011, and is intended to address a defective rivet that attaches the harness adjuster to the car seat. The defective rivet can cause the harness adjuster to detach from the seat, rendering the safety harness straps used to secure an infant in the seat unable to properly restrain the child. Britax intends to provide consumers and retailers with a remedy kit to ensure the harness adjuster is securely attached by February 6, 2012, and will continue to replace seats with detached harness adjusters until that date.

Owners of car seats whose harness adjuster is detached from the seat are advised to stop using the device immediately and to contact Britax to have the issue resolved. As indicated in the photos included in this advisory, the harness adjuster is located at the foot of the car seat and can be easily accessed by lifting the fabric and checking that the adjuster is secured in place by the rivet.

Consumers who have a detached harness adjuster or that would like further information about this recall should contact Britax Child Safety, Inc., at (888) 427-4829 or atwww.britaxusa.com.

For more information and to sign up to receive e-mail alerts about recalls for child safety seats, vehicles, and tires visit NHTSA’s safety website: www.SaferCar.gov.