How to Check Your Car Seat for Recalls

Where to learn about your car seat has been recalled

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) maintains a searchable database of all car seat recalls at safercar.gov. You can search by the manufacturer name, model number, or year the seat was made. The database shows what the defect is, when the recall was issued, and what the manufacturer is doing about it.

You can also go directly to your car seat's manufacturer website — brands like Graco, Chicco, Britax, and Evenflo all post recalls on their own sites. If you have the original paperwork or packaging, the manufacturer's contact information is usually printed there. Many companies will also email you about recalls if you registered your seat when you bought it.

A third option is to call NHTSA's hotline at 1-888-327-4236. A person can search for you if you give them the brand, model, and year. This is useful if you're not sure of the exact model number or if you're having trouble navigating the website.

Key Takeaways

• NHTSA's safercar.gov database is the official source for all car seat recalls and is searchable by brand, model, or year.
• Manufacturer websites often have recall information and may have sent you an email if you registered your seat when purchased.
• You can call NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 if you need help identifying your seat's model or finding recall information.
• Recalls can be issued years after a seat is manufactured, so checking is important even for older seats.
• Most recalls involve either a fix the manufacturer sends you or a replacement seat, and the manufacturer covers the cost.

What information you need to search

To search the NHTSA database, you'll need at least one of these pieces of information: the brand name, the model name or number, or the year it was manufactured. The model number is usually printed on a label attached to the seat frame — check under the seat cushion, on the back, or on the side.

If you have the original box or paperwork, the model number will be there too. Some seats also have the information printed on a tag sewn into the fabric. If you can't find a model number but you know the brand and roughly when you bought it, that's enough to start a search on safercar.gov.

Understanding what a recall means for your seat

A recall means the manufacturer found a defect that could affect safety — it might be a buckle that doesn't hold properly, straps that can loosen, a base that doesn't install correctly, or a structural problem. The NHTSA database tells you exactly what the defect is and whether anyone has been injured.

Not all recalls mean the seat is unusable. Some are minor issues that the manufacturer fixes by sending you a replacement part — a new buckle, new straps, or a new base. Others require you to stop using the seat and either return it for a replacement or receive a refund. The recall notice will specify what you need to do.

Recalls can be issued at any time, even years after a seat is manufactured. A seat that was safe when you bought it might have a recall issued later. This is why checking periodically — especially if you're planning to use a seat with a second child — is important.

How to register your seat to get recall notices

Most manufacturers allow you to register your car seat on their website. Registration usually requires the model number and the date of purchase or manufacture (which is printed on the seat). Once registered, the company will email you if a recall is issued for that specific seat.

Registration is optional and free. If you didn't register when you bought the seat, you can still register it now — manufacturers keep records going back many years. Check the manufacturer's website for a registration link, or call their customer service number (usually on the seat or in the manual).

If you bought the seat secondhand and don't have the original paperwork, you can still search for recalls using the brand and model number. You won't receive email notifications, but you can check the database periodically or call NHTSA to see if anything new has been issued.

What to do if your seat has a recall

Once you find that your seat has a recall, contact the manufacturer directly using the information in the recall notice. They will tell you whether they're sending a replacement part, offering a full replacement, or asking you to stop using the seat. Do not ignore a recall notice — use the seat only as directed until you've completed whatever the recall requires.

The manufacturer will cover all costs. If they're sending a part, it arrives by mail and usually takes one to three weeks. If they're offering a replacement seat, they'll either ship it to you or direct you to a retailer where you can pick one up. Keep any documentation they send you in case you need to prove the recall was addressed.

If you're unsure whether a recall affects how you should use the seat right now, call the manufacturer's customer service line. They can walk you through whether the seat is safe to use while you wait for a replacement part or whether you should stop using it immediately.

Checking seats you don't use regularly

If you have a car seat stored in a closet, kept at a grandparent's house, or used only occasionally, it still needs to be checked for recalls. Recalls are based on the manufacturing date and model, not on how often the seat is used. A seat that's been in storage for two years might have had a recall issued during that time.

Make a note to check any car seats you own — whether in active use or not — at least once a year. If you're planning to use an older seat with a new child, check for recalls before you install it. The same goes if you're thinking about passing a seat to a friend or family member.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a car seat while waiting for a recall replacement?

It depends on the recall. Some defects are minor and the seat remains safe to use while you wait for a replacement part. Others are serious enough that the manufacturer will tell you to stop using the seat immediately. The recall notice will specify — if it's not clear, call the manufacturer's customer service line before using the seat again.

What if I bought my car seat used and don't know the exact model?

Look for a label or tag on the seat itself with the brand and model number. If you can't find one, take a photo and contact the manufacturer's customer service with the photo — they can often identify the model. You can also call NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 and describe the seat to them.

Do I need to pay for a replacement if my seat is recalled?

No. Recalls are the manufacturer's responsibility, and they cover all costs — replacement parts, replacement seats, shipping, and returns. If a company asks you to pay for anything related to a recall, contact NHTSA to report it.

How often should I check for recalls on seats I already own?

Check at least once a year, or whenever you're planning to use a seat you haven't used in a while. You can also register your seats with the manufacturer to receive email notifications automatically when a new recall is issued.

What if a recall was issued but I already used the seat after the recall date?

Contact the manufacturer immediately and describe how you used the seat. They can tell you whether the defect would have affected that use and what you should do going forward. Keep records of your communication with them.