Britax is announcing a recall of certain convertible carseats due to a possible choking hazard. This is not a crash safety issue and does not necessarily require immediate attention unless you have noted an issue with your child chewing on the HUGS chest pads. This issue affects Boulevard 70-G3, Pavilion 70-G3 and Advocate 70-G3 models made between June 1st, 2012 and August 31st, 2012.
The new design of HUGS pads on some G3 convertible carseats may separate if a child chews on it repeatedly, possibly leading to a choking hazard. This does not affect previous designs of Britax convertibles. Parents may continue to use their Britax convertibles with the HUGS pads until replacements are installed, provided that no chewing issue is noted with the HUGS pads.
If chewing or biting on the HUGS rubber pads has been noted, the parent may remove the HUGS pads until replacements arrive. The owner’s manual advises that the HUGS pads are optional rear-facing, but required forward-facing for improved crash safety. Britax states that they have tested the G3 models without HUGS pads and they still exceed the necessary standards for forward-facing children, so parents may remove them temporarily, but only until replacements can be installed. Replacements should begin to ship to registered product owners within a week.
No known injuries have been reported. Please see attached pdf documents for a complete list of affected model numbers and other information for USA and Canada.
P547900-USA Consumer 577 Notice
Owners may contact Britax Customer Service Department at 1-888-427-4829 if you have questions.
I’ve heard of this happening in real life! Glad Britax was so prompt in ordering a recall.