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 [email protected]. 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
@Carolyn, what do you mean by “lock?” Do you mean the plastic chest clip that holds the shoulder straps on? Or the buckles that you buckle between the child’s legs? Or do you mean when you set the carrier on the base in the car?
we got a cosco 04/08/13 GB1A2 IC-021 AKT at the Baby shower we are having trouble getting it to lock. And when we get it to lock we can’t get it to unlock. It is only 5 month old. What are we doing wrong?
we got a cosco GB1A2 IC-021 AKT o4/08/13 at the baby shower and now we are having trouble getting it to lock and if we get it to lock we can’t get it to unlock. We have only used it for four months. What are we doing wrong?
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
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!
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.
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.
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!”
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!!
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
I have an Avenue that falls within the DOMs, but the number is not listed. So it’s fine?
Okay, so if I understand correctly, no Safety 1st Complete Air convertibles were recalled?
Thanks for putting the names with the numbers!