TP 14566 – Public Notice
Child Restraint Systems
2012-P02 E
February 4, 2012
Road Safety
Information: 1-800-333-0371
Manufacturer:
Britax Child Safety, Inc.
13501 South Ridge Drive
Charlotte NC 28273
USA
www.britaxusa.com
Importer:
Britax Child Safety Ltd.
P.O. Box 7289
RPO Brunswick Square
Saint John NB E2L 9Z9
www.britax.ca
Consumer Contact:
1-888-427-4829
Media Contact:
Demetra Bernard 1-704-409-1687
Model and Model Numbers Affected:
Chaperone model number E9L952J (black/silver)
Chaperone model number E9L952K (red)
Chaperone model number E9L952L (cowmooflage)
Dates of Manufacture:
September 1, 2010 to April 31, 2011 inclusive
Number of Units:
3,600
Geographic Distribution:
Across Canada
Issue:
Britax Child Safety, Inc. and Transport Canada wish to inform the public of a potentially serious safety-related defect with the above mentioned Chaperone infant car seats. The harness adjuster (also known as the A-Loc) at the front of the infant car seat is attached to the shell of the car seat by a single rivet. This rivet, which may have been incorrectly installed and which may also have been of a weaker metal composition than required, may deform and detach when pulled over a period of time during harness adjustment, leaving the harness adjuster unsecured to the shell of the car seat.
Safety Risk:
There is a potential safety risk in that, if the harness adjuster detaches from the infant seat, the infant would not be properly restrained by the harness system. This would result in an increased risk of injury in the event of a motor vehicle crash.
Background and Company Action:
In March 2011, Britax Child Safety, Inc. began receiving consumer reports concerning detaching harness adjusters when caregivers attempted to pull the harness adjuster to tighten the harness system. There have been approximately 57 reports in the U.S. and 3 reports in Canada made to the company. Transport Canada has received no reports related to this problem.The company opened an investigation to determine the cause of the defect through examination of returned seats as well as by dynamic and static testing. The company has designed and tested a fix for the problem.
Consumer Recourse:
All registered owners and retail outlets with affected car seats will be sent a letter explaining the situation, and a repair kit consisting of a harness adjuster clip and instructions for its attachment. Non-registered owners should contact Britax Child Safety, Inc. at their toll-free number (1-888-427-4829) to receive a repair kit free of charge.
Given that the risk of injury resulting from this deficiency is considered high, Britax Child Safety, Inc. has indicated that the public should discontinue use of the product if the harness adjuster has separated from the shell of the car seat and should contact them immediately.
