This is NOT a recall (at least not at the moment) but we thought our readers would be interested in these findings based on crash testing conducted on behalf of Consumer Reports. To be clear, their concerns are only related to the use of the Cosco Highback Toddler/Booster seat in harnessed mode. Consumer Reports notes that they witnessed no issues with this same seat in booster mode. Here at CarseatBlog we have our own issues with this particular seat when used in booster mode – but our concerns are solely related to proper belt fit.
For the full story, please see: Consumer Reports recommends replacing older Cosco Highback child car seats
And: The Cosco Highback car seat: How we tested and what we found
Personally, I’m struggling with this one comment: “Even with the cracking we observed, we believe the car seat would meet federal safety standards.” I want to say, “Really”??? Grrr… I’m both annoyed and disappointed at that possibility.
So, what do our savvy and educated blog readers think? We know you have an opinion!
We at Dorel would like to take just a moment to respond to the article and your concerns. This report does not provide a full picture of the performance of the booster seat and CR has taken a position that may needlessly concern parents and advocates.
The Cosco Highback Booster in all of CR’s testing did its job of protecting the dummy and did it well. Dorel Engineers had the opportunity to meet with the staff at Consumer Reports to review the results of the first two rounds of testing. During this meeting it was concluded that the car seat itself was installed incorrectly and the child was positioned contrary to government standards. Even so, when the test data was reviewed, the testing scores were significantly within the margins for safety and prove that the seat would effectively protect a child passenger in the event of a crash.
The recommendation CR is making in the case of the Highback Booster is without merit. What is with merit is the number of reports we have received from parents thanking us for building car seats that have protected a child in a crash and performed as expected in the real world. Additionally, we do not have reports of incidents with the Highback Booster consistent with the cracking shown in the report by Consumer Reports.
We suggested to Consumer Reports that we partner to provide information to consumers on why a correctly installed car seat is important and is a key component in the safety system. It declined. As the largest car seat manufacturer in the world, Dorel Juvenile Group is committed to consumer and passenger safety. That is why we have opened a car seat check station at our headquarters in Columbus, Indiana and take every opportunity possible to participate in programs where we can educate and information parents and caregivers about the importance of a properly installed car seat. It is also why we are so committed to being partners with you the advocate community. We value our customers, their children and safety. It is who we are and a safer environment is what we strive for everyday.
Julie Vallese
CPS Tech
Dorel VP Public Affairs
Thank you, Julie Vallese, for responding to this issue. We also have had concerns with Consumer Reports in the past. The Orbit Baby infant seat recommendation comes to mind offhand. Back in 2009, we issued this humourous response. Since then, we have been encouraged by the improvement in their relationships to the CPS community, but there is always room for skepticism. We would certainly be interested to know if the observed “cracking” has been noted in standard or misuse testing by Dorel and/or the NHTSA. We realize that cracking and breakage can and does occur in testing and in actual crashes. In many cases, this may not be a safety related problem. When the crack is in a critical area, such as around the harness adjuster, we would certainly like to see if this issue can be reproduced and verified by an independent agency and have their opinion on the results as well.
Funny, I’m concerned about that seat on *booster* mode. I really wish we had better options for program seats
“Even with the cracking we observed, we believe the car seat would meet federal safety standards.” Well, it’s true. Federal safety standards do not say that the seat can’t crack and they don’t say the harness can’t loosen. Even with the cracking, the seat still met federal crash test standards and did not exceed injury measure limits.
Jennie, the seats recalled for slipping harness adjusters had DOMs of 2008-2009, earlier than the March 2010 DOMs that cracked here.
GRRR Dorel, We use these for our low income families because well, they are inexpensive. Stock typically tends to be older as well since they are ordered in bulk then handed out to families as needed so it’s likely we have this DOM in stock. I like Dorel seats for the most part but I have had quality issues…faulty adjuster strap lever that was not part of the recall and Dorel promptly replaced it. Their insane recline rules that make seats incompatible and I am left to tell a family to make the tough choice of using their seat against manufacturer instructions so their child has a seat to ride home. I don’t want to feel this way but I struggle with feeling like Dorel’s biggest concern is the dollar versus a child’s safety at times. Maybe it really isn’t possible to make a quality, safe seat for $40-50 each?
Yes, cracking can be part of energy management. Like Jennie, I’d rather my seats not crack, but I think I’ll wait and see what kind of response this has from NHTSA and Dorel…
Interesting. To paraphrase what someone on c-s.o once said, better that the seat cracks than the child. Still…I’d prefer if my seat didn’t crack. Wasn’t cracking at the harness adjuster what led to the Maestro recall, too? When was the recall of Dorel seats for the adjusters that loosened on their own? I wonder if the structural changes happened around that time and if so, if they were related or coincidental. Were these seats even part of that recall? LOL, sorry for cramming in so many thoughts. Wish I could make paragraph breaks :p