Last month, Graco recalled close to 3.8 million carseats due to an issue with sticky buckles. However, they did not issue a recall for 1.8 million infant carseats, including all the various SnugRide models, which have used the same buckle in the past. Many parents have questioned the decision not to recall the infant seats, and now NHTSA has ordered Graco to explain their reasoning. Graco will have until March 20 to respond to the agency’s request.
In the meantime, if you do need a replacement buckle for a Graco infant seat, you can request one by calling Graco 800-345-4109 (Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.). For more info on the buckle recall please see: https://www.pages02.net/newellrubbermaid/harness-buckles . For Canada, please see the Transport Canada Recall Information and Graco Baby Canada.
March 20 has come and gone and I haven’t heard anything about their response. Did I miss something?
They stated the food reason on their FB page, but it makes no sense. Many people had problems right out of the box, and kids have always eaten in car seats, yet no other brands seem to have this mass problem. Also, some babies are in infant seats for a year or more now that the weight limits are 30-35 lbs. So it is very likely they will be using an infant sea at an age they might have a snack in the car seat. Even if no baby ever ate in the seat, many babies spit up frequently, ESPECIALLY while riding in the car. Wouldn’t that have the same effect as food and drink in the buckle? I realize the buckle manufacturer is at fault for the buckle problems, but Graco could have handled this better. I am very disappointed with them.
The reason that Jaala Squishy mentioned is the one that I have read too. Of course it makes no sense, since folks who never let their kids eat in the car had the same issue. So if food/drink that is being eaten elsewhere in the car (by adults) can somehow end up in the buckle, then this could happen with an infant seat just as easily.
the entire reason Graco has already stated, is because of probable food or drink making the buckle sticky. A child in an infant seat is far too little to be having food or drinks in the seat, therefore it makes it of no use to recall the seat.
Maybe because in an emergency first responders will leave the infant in the seat if they remove them from the car. Infants are transported to hospitals In the bucket.