TP 14566 – Public Notice
Child Restraint Systems
2010-P04 E
October 25, 2010
Road Safety
Information: 1-800-333-0371
Manufacturer:
Evenflo Company, Inc.
1801 Commerce Drive
Piqua, Ohio 45356
www.safety.evenflo.com
Importer:
Evenflo Canada, Inc.
2 Robert Speck Parkway, Ste.765
Mississauga ON L4Z 1S1
Consumer Contact:
1-800-265-0749
Media Contact:
Jody Wasbro 937-415-3383
Model and Model Numbers Affected:
Maestro 31011057C
Dates of Manufacture:
December 17, 2009 to April 26, 2010
Number of Units
4,456
Geographic Distribution:
Across Canada
Issue:
Evenflo Company Inc has informed Transport Canada of a potential safety defect found during testing performed by Consumers Union. Some Maestro child/booster seats exhibited a crack in the area adjacent to the front harness adjuster and therefore do not meet the requirement of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 213 Section 13(1)(a).
Safety Risk:
In the event of a motor vehicle collision, should a crack develop in the area adjacent to the front harness adjuster, the crack may cause the child not to be properly restrained if the child is seated in the restraint using the five-point harness system.
Background and Company Action:
Evenflo Company Inc. is issuing a voluntary recall of this product in both the United States and Canada. During testing by Consumers Union at an independent laboratory, it was noted that a crack may develop at or around the centre front harness adjuster. This crack could influence the performance of the restraint in the event of a collision leading to the child not properly being restrained. Evenflo has attempted to replicate the test results from Consumers Union, but was unable to do so. The company then re-tested at the laboratory used by Consumers Union and the cracking was observed on units manufactured prior to April 2010. Testing was completed on October 7, 2010.
Evenflo Company Inc has made structural changes to the Maestro child/booster seat in the area of the front harness adjuster on units produced since May 2010. Evenflo has dynamically tested the re-designed seats at the same laboratory used by Consumers Union at speeds above those required by the standard.
Consumer Recourse:
All owners of affected Maestro restraints should contact Evenflo Company Inc. at their toll free number (1-800-265-0749) to receive, free of charge, a reinforcement plate and installation instructions. Restraints that are still with retailers will be returned to the manufacturer for retrofit.
Until the repair kit is received, Evenflo and Transport Canada recommend that the Maestro child/booster seats referenced above not be used with the five-point harness system. This recommendation does not apply to the usage of the seat as a booster seat in conjunction with a vehicle’s seat belt if the child meets the minimum weight requirement of 18 kg (40 lb) as referenced in the Evenflo instruction manual.
Transport Canada: 1-800-333-0371
Release Date: October 25, 2010