NHTSA ANNOUNCES RECALL OF EVENFLO CHILD SEATS |
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Topics: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Evenflo
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U.S. Department of Transportation
May 29, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, May 29, 1998
Contact: Phil Frame
Tel. No.: (202) 366-9550
NHTSA 28-98
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the recall of about 32,000 Evenflo "Two-in-One" car seats because the backrest may separate from the base, exposing children to potential injuries in an automobile crash.
"Parents who own this model of child seat should immediately check to see if it is among those being recalled," said NHTSA Administrator Ricardo Martinez, M.D. "Safety is President Clinton’s highest transportation priority, and we must do whatever we can to make sure that parents have all the information they need to transport their children safely in vehicles."
The child seats that are being recalled have model numbers beginning with 636 and 637 and were manufactured between Jan. 7 and March 20, 1998. Testing revealed that fractures can occur around the rod which joins the backrest and base. This could cause the two parts to separate during a vehicle crash if the child is being restrained by the seat’s built-in five-point harness.
There have been no reports of fractures, separations or injuries from consumers.
Evenflo will provide a free replacement seat to all owners of the seats affected by the recall. The company is in the process of mailing replacement seats to consumers who registered the restraints with Evenflo. Consumers who have not registered their seats and know their seat is among those recalled should call Evenflo at 1-800-985-SEAT to obtain their free replacement.
Until consumers receive their replacement seats, they should stop using the seat’s built-in harness. Children between 30 and 65 pounds can still be transported in the seat if it is used in conjunction with the vehicle’s lap and shoulder seat belts. The seats should not be used if the child is not in that weight range or if the seating position is equipped only with a lap belt.
Evenflo child seats with other model numbers are not affected by this recall. Consumers with questions about this or any other safety recall campaign should call NHTSA’s toll-free Auto Safety Hotline at (800) 424-9393. The number to call in the Washington, D.C., area is (202) 366-0123.