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Child Passenger Safety - Recall FAQs

When in the market for a new child safety seat, or installing a used one, it is important to note that a car safety seat may be "recalled" at any time because of a defect which could injure your child and manufacturers are required to fix the problem at no charge to the consumer. It will save you time in the long run when shopping for a child safety seat, to check the recall status of a particular unit prior to purchase.

The DOT Auto Safety Hotline in Washington provides a service where you can find out which models and manufacturing dates are involved. The manufacture date is considered the "birthday" of your seat and can be found in your documentation or on the seat itself.

If you are not sure if your seat has been recalled, you can check with the DOT Auto Safety Hotline in Washington, D.C., at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT.

Be Prepared for the Call

Write down this information about your child's seat:
Manufacturer's Name _________________________
Model Number/Name _________________________
Manufacture Date _________________________

You can find this information printed on labels attached underneath, on the side, or the back of the seat. If you have an older seat, call the Auto Safety Hotline or the manufacturer to find out how to register it.

After you register your existing child safety seat, and find that it has been recalled, don't panic. Most problems can be fixed by replacing a part that the manufacturer will send you for free. Many defects are minor, but some are serious. All problems should be corrected as soon as possible, though thoroughly checking out a particular until prior to purchase can save time, and possibly a life, so shop with care.

• ODI - Office of Defects Investigation
  The Office of Defects Investigation offers information regarding child seat recalls for a variety of models.



• Is your child safety seat safe?
  Provides a list of recalled child safety seats and restraints, plus shows how to check if your specific model has a recall sheet.



• HSRC - Car Seat Recalls and Safety Notifications
  Sign up for automatic email notification of updates to this database for child safety seat recalls.



• What are safety seat recalls?
  Site discusses exactly what to do in the case of a child safety seat recall, and the guidelines for determining if a recall is needed.



• Child Safety Seat Recalls
  Child safety seat recall lists and related links for child passenger safety information.



• GM - GMability Safety: US Child Seat Recalls
  Child passenger safety information by GM.



• III - Child Safety Seats
  Find out if your child safety seat has been recalled, plus safety seat installation tips.