Accident Reconstruction Network > News >June 2008

Accident Reconstruction News Article

Chicco USA is recalling the stand-alone base of 18,000 rear-facing child restraint systems, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The seat-base sold for the Keyfit, Keyfit 30 and Cortina travel systems "have a defect that can prevent the base from being tightly secured to a vehicle when the lower latch attachments are used as a method of installation," according to NHTSA.

The recalled restraints were manufactured between February 26 and March 17, 2008.

Federal regulators reported that that the webbing which is used to tighten the base can "slip through the adjustment lock."

"The base could move, possibly increasing the risk of injury," according to the agency.

Chicco plans to notify owners of the defective restraints and provide a free replacement base.

Chicco will require consumers to first cut the lower latch connectors from the base and return them in a prepaid envelope. Chicco will then provide the replacement.

"Caregivers are being advised that they can continue to use the old base with the vehicle's safety belts until they receive a replacement," according to NHTSA.

Owners may contact Chicco at 1-800-807-8817 or NHTSA 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153).

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