Dorel Recalling Nearly 800,000 Car Seats

A company is recalling nearly 800,000 car seats because a faulty release button can loosen the harness, putting children at greater risk of injury in a crash, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said today.

Dorel Juvenile Group said the problem affects certain child safety seats made between May 1, 2008, and April 30, 2009 and sold in the U.S., that have a center front adjuster for the harness, the agency said in a statement. The recall affects infant, convertible and booster seats that were sold alone and as part of travel systems with strollers, NHTSA said.

In the affected seats, the harness locking and release button does not always return to the locked position, NHTSA said. With the button unlocked, the shoulder strap can slip back through the adjuster as a child moves, loosening the harness.

The company plans to give owners a kit with a lubricant to be put on the center front adjuster to prevent sticking. Until that is done, owners can keep using the seats but should make sure the harness is properly adjusted and that the button is in the locked position, NHTSA said.

"This voluntary recall is being conducted out of an abundance of caution with no reported incidents or injuries," Columbus, Ind.-based Dorel said in a statement. "Parents and caregivers are being provided detailed information on how to make the simple recommended adjustments to their car seat."

The highway safety agency has been investigating the issue since March 5 and is keeping the case open to "further evaluate the adequacy of the recall scope."

Dorel's car seats are sold under the brand names Maxi-Cosi, Safety 1st, Cosco and Eddie Bauer, a Dorel spokeswoman said.

Consumers can the manufacturer at 866-623-3139 or contact Dorel at harnessadjustment@djgusa.com.