Combi Centre infant carrier separation from base

TP 14566
Public Notice
Child Restraint Systems
2008-P01 E

Manufacturer:
Combi USA, Inc.
1962 Highway 160 W, Suite 100
Fort Mill, SC 29708-8027
U.S.A.
Tel.: 803-548-6633
Fax: 803-548-3663
Website: www.combi-intl.com

Importer, Distributor and Consumer Contact:
ISIS Inc.
2260 Guénette Street
Saint-Laurent, QC H4R 2M7
Tel.: 514-344-3045
Toll-Free: 1-800-667-4111
Fax: 514-344-3296
Website: www.combi.ca

Model and Model Numbers Affected:
Centre DX – 781395/981395, 789462/998047
Centre ST – 784850/991465, 784850S/991465
Cosmo ST Travel System – 714650/991465

Note: A travel system includes a stroller, an infant car seat, and a car seat base.

Dates of Manufacture:
August 5, 2006 to October 27, 2007

Number of Units:
536

Geographic Distribution:
Across Canada

Issue:

When using the infant car seat in a vehicle with the base, the infant car seat may detach from the base during a moderate to severe collision.

Background and Company Action:

During in-vehicle evaluation and research testing performed by Transport Canada's Crashworthiness and Research Division, four (4) Combi infant carriers released from their bases. Additional sled testing and analysis determined that the release was due to inertial unlatching.

The manufacturer and the importer were informed of the findings on January 28, 2008. A meeting was held at the Transport Canada test facilities operated by PMG Technologies in Blainville, Quebec on February 07, 2008 with all involved parties to discuss the issue and examine the test samples and video. From this meeting, it was determined that the shell of the infant carrier was releasing from the base due to inertial unlatching.

Safety Risk:

Any moderate to severe collision could exert enough force on the latching system of the infant carrier to cause an inertial unlatch. It is imperative that the infant carrier be securely fastened with the vehicle's seat belt without the base, in accordance with the manufacturers instructions until a repair kit is received.

Consumer Action and Recourse:

Consumers who have completed and returned their registration card, or registered their infant car seat on-line at www.combi.ca, will receive a repair kit free of charge. Those who have not registered their infant car seat should contact ISIS Inc. at 1-800-667-4111.

Again, the infant carrier should not be used with the base until the repair kit is received. Consumers should not return the affected units to a retailer.

Transport Canada: 1-800-333-0371

Release Date: March 3, 2008