NHTSA, CPSC and Britax announce recall of infant car seats due to fall hazard 

January 21, 2016
NHTSA Public Affairs, 202-366-9550, Public.Affairs@dot.gov
CPSC Public Affairs, 301-504-7908

ISSUE: Recall of Britax B-Safe 35 and B-Safe 35 Elite infant car seats and travel systems manufactured between October 1, 2014, and July 1, 2015. The car seat carry handle can crack and break allowing the seat to fall unexpectedly, posing a risk of injury to the infant.

REMEDY: Repair kit

CONSUMER ACTIONS

• You should immediately stop carrying the car seat by the handle until the repair is installed.
• If you previously registered your product with Britax, you will automatically receive a free repair kit.
• To register to receive a repair kit or verify registration, visit www.bsafe35recall.com.
• You can continue to use the car seat when secured in a vehicle or on a stroller.

CONSUMER CONTACT

• Britax at 800-683-2045 from 8:30 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. ET on Friday, or by email at Britax.Recall@britax.com. Consumers can also visit the firm’s website at www.us.Britax.com and click on “Safety Notice” at the top right of the page.

RECALL DETAILS

Units: About 71,000 units (in addition 3,900 units were sold in Canada and 990 units in Mexico).

Description: This recall involves Britax B-Safe 35 and B-Safe 35 Elite infant car seat and travel systems manufactured between October 1, 2014, and July 1, 2015. The product can be used as a rear-facing only car seat and as an infant carrier. The car seat/carriers have a canopy, black shell and base, and were sold in a variety of colors. The Britax logo is printed on both sides of the seat shell and on the carry handle grip. Model numbers and the date of manufacture (DOM) are printed on a label located at the back of the infant car seat/carrier shell.

Incidents/Injuries: Britax has received 74 reports of handles developing fractures, cracks and/or breaking while in use, including one report of an infant who received a bump on the head when the carrier fell to the ground.

Manufactured: U.S.A.

Importer/Distributor: Britax Child Safety Inc., of Fort Mill, S.C.

Retailers: Sold at Babies R Us, buybuy BABY, Target and other stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com, Diapers.com and other online retailers from November 2014 to January 2016 for between $210 and $250.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Why is registering my car seat with the manufacturer important?

Your contact information is crucial if there is a recall. Please be sure to register car seats and other child products with the manufacturer. There is more information on how to register your products on www.safercar.gov/parents.

2. How do I register?

Option 1: Register online with your car seat manufacturer or www.safercar.gov/parents. You’ll need the model number and date of manufacture found on the label on your car seat.

Option 2: Fill out and mail in the registration card that came with your car seat. It already includes your car seat’s information. No postage required.

3. Where can I find information about car seat recalls?

Visit the NHTSA website and enter your seat’s brand name and model.

4. How can I reach NHTSA?

To report a possible safety defect or non-compliance involving vehicles, car seats or tires contact NHTSA’s Safety Hotline at 1- (800) 424-9153 or visit www.safercar.gov

Consumers can stay connected with NHTSA and search for vehicle, car seat and tire recalls on www.safercar.gov | Download the Safercar Mobile App for Apple or Android devices | Receive recall alerts by email | Visit us on Facebook.com/NHTSA | Follow us on Twitter.com/NHTSAgov

5. How can I reach the CPSC?

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772 or teletypewriter at 301-595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @USCPSC or by subscribing to CPSC’s free e-mail newsletters.

Stay connected with NHTSA: Search for open recalls with VIN look up | Download the Safercar Mobile App for Apple or Android devices | Receive recall alerts by email | Visit us on Facebook.com/NHTSA | Follow us on Twitter.com/NHTSAgov | Watch 5-Star Safety Ratings crash tests on YouTube.com/USDOTNHTSA | SaferCar.gov