Combi has issued recalled on the Coccoro, Zeus Turn and Zeus 360 convertible carseats for failure to meet harness test requirements.
Affected models are:
Combi Coccoro
Model Number: 8220
Manufacture Dates: January 6, 2009-December 5, 2012
Combi Zeus Turn
Model Number: 8815
Manufacture Dates: July 15, 2007-March 25, 2009
Combi Zeus 360
Model Number 8836
Manufacture Dates: February 25, 2009-May 24, 2012
The model number and manufacture date can be found on the bottom of the carseat.
When the harness webbing is tested independently of the carseat, it does not meet minimum breaking strength because of an embedded plastic button which keeps the buckle tongue from sliding down under the child’s bum. Newer models no longer have the embedded button.
According to Combi, the affected carseats are still safe to use until Combi can send replacement harnesses to registered owners because the carseats do pass motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS 213) as a whole, but according to NHTSA, “In the event of a crash, a child may not be remain adequately secured, increasing the risk of injury.” (sic) What does CarseatBlog advise? FMVSS 213 requires a minimum strength of 11,000N (roughly 2,473 lbf) before the harness webbing breaks on a carseat. How much force does a 33 lbs. child apply in a 30 mph crash to the webbing (33 lbs. is the uppermost rear-facing weight limit of the Coccoro and both Zeus seats)? An estimate often used by technicians is child weight (33) times speed (30) = roughly 990 lbs, which is a far cry from 2,473 lbs force (11,000N). We prefer to do the basic math estimate for you and let you, as the parent, decide whether you want to follow Combi’s advice or NHTSA’s.
For more information on this recall, see Combi’s recall notice for more information and how to register your Combi seat if you haven’t yet.
If the Combi Coccoro has been discontinued by the manufacturer, why are they still being sold? I am trying to find two car seats that will fit in the back of my Honda Accord and be rear facing, and found lots of praise for this brand, only to then find out there as a recall and it was discontinued.
Florence, the Coccoro hasn’t been discontinued. All Zeus models have been discontinued.
@Amy, it does make a difference. The 2013 harness doesn’t have the button on it that weakens the fibers. So yours is A-OK.
I have 2013 combi coccoro car seat. I wonder if that makes a difference?
As a side note, the harness systems on these models are NOT made by IMMI/SafeGuard.
I’m sure any button of this type that punctures the webbing and cuts any fibers will reduce the strength of the webbing slightly. Presumably, if done correctly, it does not reduce it enough to be of any concern or to the point to where it would fail any testing or compromise safety.
My question is pretty simple. If failing this harness strength test is not a reason to discontinue use of the product, because the product still passes the FMVSS 213 testing, then why do we even have such a test? Why then even require them to replace the harness system in a recall if there really is no risk? It seems silly to require a test, but then say it’s no big deal if a product fails the test?
This contradiction for parents doesn’t require any complex math. The issue most likely comes down to this. If your child seat is affected, the NHTSA believes there is at least a slight increase in risk, based on the wording of their recall notice. But they must feel there is likely a greater risk if you opt not to use the carseat, which could result in placing the child in a less appropriate restraint system or no carseat at all.
And yes, we know the math in our blog is not correct. Forces in a crash are approximated by the product of occupant mass multiplied by the reduction in velocity, divided by the deceleration time. We used a simplification for our audience, once commonly used in the NHTSA curriculum for technicians. The point is that we are told this separate harness test is very conservative, but of course all things are relative. For example, what if you are in rare but more energetic crash than simulated by FMVSS testing? That’s a great question, because that’s exactly where the more conservative harness strength testing may be important.
I am going to be bummed to switch out my coccoro harness. I like how the buttons keep the buckles from slipping when not in use.
This makes me wonder if buttons on vehicle seat belts have a similar effect. I’ve noticed many of the newer vehicles my family has now have folds sewn into the webbing to the latch plate from slipping down too far, rather than a button.