Overview
The most recent Safety 1st recall was issued by the Dorel Juvenile Group, Inc., on March 3, 2023, over safety concerns about the car seats’ anchoring system. (1)(2)
Crash tests showed that the infant car seats’ lower seat anchors can fail, possibly making the seat detach and pose an injury risk to your child. (1)(2)
The company issued the voluntary recall for eight car seat models and bases that they manufacture: (1)(2)
- Safety 1st base and one car seat model
- Maxi Cosi base and five car seat models
We’re covering the Safety 1st car seat recall in this article. (click here for the Maxi Cosi recall).
Safety 1st Car Seat Recall 2023
Recall Details
According to the Dorel Juvenile Group, Inc., they issued the recall because the affected Safety 1st car seat base might detach because the seat’s lower seat anchors can fail, posing injury risks to a rear-facing infant in a crash. (1)(2)
Because of these potential hazards, these car seats fail to comply with the standard requirements of the Child Restraint Systems, known as FMVSS 213 or the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 213. (1)(2)
This voluntary recall includes around 59,450 rear-facing car seats with self-retracting lower anchor systems from Safety 1st and Maxi Cosi, plus infant car seat bases, manufactured from May 1, 2020, to February 28, 2023. (1)(2)
What Car Seats Are Recalled?
The following Safety 1st models are included in the recall: (1)
- IC351 Safety 1st Onboard 35 Securetech Car Seats
- IC372 Safety 1st Securetech Infant Car Seat Bases
How Do I Know If My Car Seat Has Been Recalled?
Only the Safety 1st infant car seat models listed above were included in this recall.
You can find the model number and production information on the label placed on the carrier shell and/or base of the Safety 1st car seat (as shown in these photos): (1)
What To Do With The Recalled Safety 1st Car Seats?
Affected customers will receive a free replacement base from the company. (1)
According to the recall advisory, you can continue using these affected car seats with or without the carrier shell or base. (1)
IMPORTANT: Secure them using your vehicle’s seat belt. (1)
Are These Recalled Safety 1st Car Seats & Bases Still Safe To Use?
Yes. These seats can still be safe if secured using the seat belt because the seats’ functionality isn’t affected by the issue. Only the seat base’s anchoring system has possible defects. (1)
Can I Use The Infant Carrier Shell Outside The Car?
Yes. The infant carrier shell can still be safe for all modes outside your car. (1)
How To Get A Refund Or Replacement
The company isn’t offering refunds. Instead, affected customers will be provided a free replacement base. Notification letters will be sent to the registered customers. (1)
Register your Safety 1st car seat using this link safety1st.com/us-en/registration/.
You can also contact Dorel Customer Service via: (1)
- Phone: 1-877-657-9546
- Email: [email protected]
For more information, you can also reach the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) through: (1)
- Vehicle Safety Hotlines: 1-888-327-4236 or 1-800-424-9153
- Website: nhtsa.gov
When Do I Get The Updated Replacement Base?
According to the recall notice, the company will send updates on the replacement bases’ availability to the registered customers, but they didn’t indicate when that will be. (1)
Safety 1st Car Seat Recall FAQs
Are All Safety 1st Infant Seats Included In The Recall?
No. Only the Safety 1st infant car seats listed above (with self-retracting latch systems on the base) are included in this recall. (1)
Were There Any Recalled Car Seats Sold In Canada & Other Countries?
No Safety 1st car seats from this recall were sold in Canada.
Only these car seats from the other recalled brand, Canadian Maxi Cosi, are affected by this recall: (1)
- 22304 CAN Maxi-Cosi Coral XP Infant Car Seat
- 22321 CAN Mico XP Max Car Seat
- 22334 CAN Maxi-Cosi Mico XP Max
- 22524 CAN Maxi-Cosi Coral XP Base
- 22526 CAN Maxi-Cosi Mico XP Base
- 01371 CAN Maxi-Cosi Lila CP Travel System
Is Safety 1st Discontinuing Car Seats?
No. Dorel Juvenile Group has not discontinued these Safety 1st car seats. (1)
How Long Is A Safety 1st Car Seat Good For?
Car seats can expire 6-10 years after manufacturing. Check the sticker on the backside of your car seat for the expiry date.
Who Makes Safety 1st Car Seats?
- Dorel Juvenile Group, Inc.
Where Are Safety 1st Car Seats Manufactured?
Based on the photos posted by the company, the Safety 1st car seats are manufactured in China. (1)
Other Safety 1st Recalls
Safety 1st Car Seat Recall 2016
In August 2016, the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) and Dorel Juvenile announced the recall of around 20,000 Safety 1st strollers sold as the Step and Go Travel System. When used with an infant car seat, the stroller tray can disintegrate, posing a fall hazard. (3)
Affected customers were sent a free repair kit. (3)
Safety 1st Car Seat Recall 2013
In September 2013, Dorel Juvenile Group recalled certain Safety 1st and Eddie Bauer CRS (child restraint systems) or car seats because the instruction label for the rear-facing mode was placed on the wrong side of the base. It might cause confusion during installation. (4)
Safety 1st Car Seat Recall 2011
In February 2011, Dorel Juvenile Group recalled Cosco, Maxi-Cosi, and Safety 1st child car seats because the harness adjustment strap can loosen during use, potentially increasing injury risk in a crash. (5)
Some of the affected models include highback and deluxe car seats as well as booster seats. (5)
Affected customers were sent a free repair kit. (5)
Safety 1st Car Seat Recall 2009
In December 2009, about 447,000 units of different infant car seats and carriers manufactured by Dorel Juvenile Group Inc. were recalled. The seats’ child restraint handle can loosen and come off when used as an infant carrier, posing a fall hazard. (6)
Affected car seat brands include:
- Safety 1st
- Cosco
- Eddie Bauer
- Disney
Customers were sent a free repair kit. (6)
Our Car Seat Recommendations
- UPPAbaby MESA infant car seat (compatible with Uppababy Cruz V2 and Vista V2 strollers to create a travel system)
- Nuna RAVA convertible car seat
- Peg Perego Primo Viaggio Kinetic
- Britax Boulevard Clicktight ARB (anti-rebound bar)
- Chicco NextFit Zip Convertible Car Seat
- Graco Milestone All-in-1 Convertible Car Seat
Maxi Cosi Recall
This Safety 1st car seat recall was issued together with the Maxi Cosi recall. (1)
Dorel Juvenile Group also manufactures the brand, and the following car seats have the same issue as the Safety 1st products mentioned above: (1)
- IC313 Maxi-Cosi Coral XP Car Seat
- IC335 Maxi-Cosi Infant Car Seat Base
- IC336 Maxi-Cosi Mico XP Max Infant Car Seat
- IC337 Maxi-Cosi Mico XP Max Infant Car Seat
- IC338 Maxi-Cosi Mico XP Max Infant Car Seat
- IC370 Maxi-Cosi Mico Luxe + Infant Car Seat
These car seats were also sold as a travel system (a combination of a car seat and a stroller). Affected models include: (1)
- TR416 Maxi-Cosi Gia XP Travel System w/ Mico XP
- TR427 Maxi-Cosi Zelia 2 Max Travel System MXP
- TR428 Maxi-Cosi Tayla Travel System w/ Mico XP
- TR430 Maxi-Cosi Adorra Travel System w/ Mico XP
- TR433 Maxi-Cosi Tayla XP Travel System w/ Coral XP
- TR434 Maxi-Cosi Mara XT Travel System w/ Coral XP
Car Seat Recalls
- Cybex recall (2023)
- Maxi Cosi recalls (2023)
- Safety 1st recalls (2023)
- Baby Trend stroller and car seat recalls (2022)
- UPPAbaby stroller and car seat recalls (2022)
- Maxi Cosi Pria 85 recall (2021)
If you have a car seat you no longer use, consider taking it to the Target Car Seat Trade-In Program (a 2-week event that usually happens in April and September) to swap your used items with a 20% discount coupon you can use for various baby essentials.
References
(1) https://www.safety1st.com/us-en/infant-base-with-self-retracting-latch-notice
(2) https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=23C002
(3) https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2016/Dorel-Juvenile-Recalls-Safety-1st–Strollers
(4) https://www.safety1st.com/us-en/eddie-bauer-child-restraint-systems
(5) https://www.safety1st.com/us-en/cosco-maxi-cosi-and-safety-1st-child-restraint-system-center-front-adjuster-recall
(6) https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2009/fall-hazard-prompts-nhtsa–cpsc-and-dorel-juvenile-group-to-announce-recall-of-infant
