Dorel Recalls Hundreds of Thousands of Carseats

This post was written by Heather (murphydog77) on February 14, 2011
Posted Under: Safety

The Dorel Juvenile Group is recalling 794,247 carseats in the U.S. and Canada because the harness can remain loose after adjustment. These seats have a center front adjuster, which we call a front adjuster strap around here. The problem occurs when the front strap is pulled and the adjuster button/lever doesn’t return to the locked position.

Carseats affected were manufactured from May 1, 2008 through April 30, 2009, and include infant, convertible, and combination seats (harnessed seats that convert to booster seats). Infant seats were sold as individual units or in combination with strollers as a travel system.

The model names potentially affected by this recall include, but are not limited to: Bertini B5, SureFit, onBoard, Designer 22, Alpha Omega, Alpha Omega Elite, Alpha Luxe Echelon 3-in-1, Eddie Bauer 3-in-1, Eddie Bauer infant, Eddie Bauer combination, Avenue, Uptown, Vantage, Vantage Point, Prospect, Maxi-Cosi Mico, Maxi-Cosi Priori.

As a remedy, Dorel will be providing registered consumers a small tube of non-toxic, food-grade lubricant and instructions on where to apply the lube. If you own one of the affected seats, you may continue using it; just make sure that the harness remains tight after adjustment and the adjuster lever is in the locked position by pressing on it. If the harness loosens, your child could be seriously injured or killed in a crash.

For more information, contact Dorel at 1-866-623-3139 or via email at harnessadjustment@djgusa.com. You may read more about the recall at the NHTSA website or at safercar.gov. Canadians can read about the recall on the Transport Canada website.

Complete list of models affected (thanks to crunchierthanthou for researching model names!):

22-077 = SureFit infant seat
22-078 = onBoard infant seat
22-148 = AOE convertible
22-149 = AOE convertible
22-150 = AO/3 in 1 convertible
22-152 = AO/3 in 1 convertible
22-154 = EB 3 in 1 convertible
22-155 = AOE convertible
22-158 = AOE convertible
22-159 = Safety 1st 3 in 1 convertible
22-172 = Safety 1st 3 in 1 convertible
22-177 = Safety 1st 3 in 1 50 lb convertible
22-178 = Safety 1st 3 in 1 50 lb convertible
22-185 = Alpha Omega 3-in-1 convertible
22-188 = AOE convertible
22-195 = Safety 1st 3 in 1 convertible
22-346 = Bertini B5 infant seat
22-356 = OnBoard infant seat
22-371 = Maxi Cosi Mico infant seat
22-372 = Maxi Cosi Mico infant seat
22-412 = Designer 22 infant seat
22-439 = Safety 1st Avenue convertible
22-449 = Safety 1st Avenue convertible
22-452 = 3 in 1 convertible
22-453 = 3 in 1 convertible
22-456= Safety 1st 3 in 1 convertible
22-458 = Safety 1st 3 in 1 convertible
22-459 = Safety 1st 3 in 1 convertible
22-462 = Safety 1st Alpha Luxe Echelon 3 in 1 convertible
22-465 = Safety 1st 3 in 1 convertible
22-469 = Safety 1st 3 in 1 convertible
22-475 = Uptown convertible
22-476 = Maxi Cosi Priori convertible
22-486 = Maxi Cosi Priori convertible
22-546 = Vantage combination
22-547 = Vantage combination
22-553 = Vantage combination
22-554 = Vantage combination
22-561 = Designer 22 infant seat
22-564 = Vantage combination
22-567 = Vantage combination
22-574 = Vantage combination
22-580 = Prospect combination
22-657 = EB infant seat
22-740 = EB 3 in 1 convertible
22-741 = some 3 in 1 convertible
22-755 = EB 3 in 1 convertible
22-758 = EB 3 in 1 convertible
22-759 = EB 3 in 1 convertible
22-790 = EB 3 in 1 convertible
22-799 = AOE convertible
22-880 = EB Combination
22-560 = Safety 1st combination
93-560 = Vantage combination
17-439
IC-072 = infant seat

Reader Comments

Thanks for putting the names with the numbers!

Written By Jools on February 14th, 2011 @ 3:09 pm

Okay, so if I understand correctly, no Safety 1st Complete Air convertibles were recalled?

Written By mimieliza on February 14th, 2011 @ 4:10 pm

I have an Avenue that falls within the DOMs, but the number is not listed. So it’s fine?

Written By nannymom on February 14th, 2011 @ 4:11 pm

This is missing some. I went to Dorel’s page and found my Avenue listed. http://www.djgusa.com/usa/eng/Safety-Notices/Detail/506-Cosco,-Maxi-Cosi,-and-Safety-1st-Child-Restraint-System-Center-Front-Adjuster-Recall

Written By nannymom on February 14th, 2011 @ 6:26 pm

All I have to say is finally!! This has been a known issue for dorel for years!! Wonder if it took so long to research lube?

Btw thank you for researching model numbers, big time life saver!!

Written By Steph on February 14th, 2011 @ 6:53 pm

funny that they have come out with this “lube remedy” cause if you look in the trouble shooting section of your owners manual it says, and i quote, “if the child restraint buckle or harness release lever sticks or you cannot get the straps tight enough around child: DO NOT LUBRICATE!!! check for dropped food, sticky spilled drinks ect and clean with WARM WATER or remove WITH TWEEZERS” and most importantly, “if you cannot get harness to adjust and REMAIN tight with buckle SECURELY LOCKED, DO NOT USE THE CHILD RESTARINT!!!!!!!!!”
so tell me, how did we figure lubricating was the answer when the manufacturer clearly says not to lubricate. “cheapest fix to save the company from having to refund the consumers!”

Written By car-seat.org on February 14th, 2011 @ 7:37 pm

Thanks, Nannymom! I’ll double-check that list you posted to make sure we’ve got it all covered. Crunchierthanthou did a great job of hunting down the model names.

Written By Heather (murphydog77) on February 14th, 2011 @ 9:14 pm

I have the same issue with mine and it was a 2007 Alpha Omega 3-in-1
I think they need to look back more.

Written By sh on February 14th, 2011 @ 9:34 pm

FYI – I just added a paragraph listing the model NAMES that may be affected. The Dorel site states “…and include Convertible child restraints Alpha Omega, Alpha Omega Elite, Enspira, Priori, Prospect, and Vantage; Infant child restraints Mico and OnBoard.” However, the Dorel site fails to state that this is an incomplete list of model names. Brownie points go to anyone who can come up with more info on the last 2 recalled model #’s listed!

Written By Kecia on February 15th, 2011 @ 2:26 pm

SH – I agree that the bigger message here is that we all need to be checking *every harnessed seat* that we have contact with for this issue regardless of when the seat was made or by whom. 2 years ago, at a carseat check I discovered a Touriva with a Jan 2005 DOM that had this issue. The seat was sent back to Dorel but I never heard from them again regarding the issue and nothing ever came of it. But I did take a video before I sent it back. It’s here if anyone wants to check it out. Apologies for it being sideways – I couldn’t figure out how to rotate it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlvRurDUbB8

#10

Written By Kecia on February 15th, 2011 @ 2:55 pm