News: Combi Coccoro Convertible Carseat Safety Recall

Grape Coccoro Combi has issued a recall for all Coccoro convertible car seats whose models numbers begin with 8220 and were manufactured between January 2009 and June 2016. When installed in a forward-facing position with only a lap belt (and not tethered), the seats might transfer too much force to the child occupant’s chest, thereby failing to meet FMVSS 213 standards for Chest Gs. To remedy this problem, Combi will send owners of affected seats a cover to place on the bottom of the seat.

There are potentially 39,395 Coccoro seats affected by this recall. Individual affected model numbers are listed below:

Combi Coccoro 8220104 Hazelnut

Combi Coccoro 8220105 Licorice

Combi Coccoro 8220102 Carrot Cake

Combi Coccoro 822062 Keylime

Combi Coccoro 822099 Cool Mint

Combi Coccoro 8220103 Strawberry Shake

Combi Coccoro 8220100 Cherry Pie

Combi Coccoro 8220101 Chestnut

Combi Coccoro 8220105A Licorice

Combi Coccoro 8220102A Carrot Cake

Combi Coccoro 822062A Key Lime

Combi Coccoro 8220100A Cherry Pie

Combi Coccoro 8220101A Chestnut

Combi Coccoro 8220134 Grape

The model/serial number can be found on a sticker on the bottom of the Coccoro.

combi label

The fix appears to be a rigid cover that owners will screw onto the bottom of the seat. Here are the instructions for the piece, which should be available around August 15, 2016.

combi fix

If you have an affected seat:

The seats failed when tested in the forward-facing position using only a lap belt. If you’re using the seat rear-facing (with a lap belt, lower anchors, or a lap-shoulder belt), you can continue safely using the seat. You can also continue using the seat if it’s forward-facing if it’s installed with a lap-shoulder belt, or with any method (including lap-only belt) if the top tether is used.

If you’re using the seat forward-facing with just a lap belt, attach the top tether (if available) or move the Coccoro to another seating position where a tether anchor or lap-shoulder belt is available. If that’s not possible, we recommend discontinuing use of the seat until you receive the fix kit.

It is not clear whether this recall also applies to seats being used forward-facing with just the lower anchors and no top tether. The top tether should always be used forward-facing, but the reality is that some people don’t attach it. If you’re using this seat (or any seat) forward-facing with the lower anchors, make sure you attach the top tether as well.

Combi’s letter to consumers and replacement instructions can be found here, and owners can register their seats here. If you have already registered your seat with Combi, you should automatically receive notification, but it can’t hurt to register again just in case.

Full text of the recall from NHTSA:

Report Receipt Date: JUL 05, 2016
NHTSA Campaign Number: 16C006000
Component(s): CHILD SEAT
Potential Number of Units Affected: 39,395

Manufacturer: Combi USA, Inc.

SUMMARY:

Combi USA, Inc. (Combi) is recalling certain Coccoro Convertible Child Restraints, model number 8220, manufactured January 1, 2009, to June 29, 2016. When the Coccoro car seat is installed in a forward facing position and only secured with the vehicle’s lap belt, excessive force may be transmitted to the car seat occupant in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury. As such, these child seats fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 213, “Child Restraint Systems.”

CONSEQUENCE:

In the event of a crash, the seat occupant is at an increased risk of injury.

REMEDY:

Combi will notify owners, and provide them with a cover to be added to the bottom of the seat, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in July 2016. Owners may contact Combi customer service at 1-888-232-3294, or by going to http://registration.combiusa.com/recall. Combi’s number for this recall is 610. Note: This recall does not affect the use of the Coccoro child restraint when it is installed in a rearward-facing position.

NOTES:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

5 Comments

Kate July 30, 2016

Should I still request and install the recall fix if I do not plan to use the coccoro forward facing without a top tether?
Also, do you know if the rear facing installation will be affected by the bottom cover?
- zeo2ski August 2, 2016
  
  I’m curious about that too–would you still use the bottom plate if you used the seat RFing? It appears it would seriously help my CCO’s issue of compressing the vehicle seat very close to the crack between the 60/40 split, compressing so much it seems like it could slip down into the crack at some point. A flat bottom on the CCO would definitely help that, but since that’s not the intended purpose of the recall fix I’m not sure I should get the fix. I won’t use it FFing and it expires in 9 months. Using it till then though…
Nedra July 29, 2016

So if I am understanding correctly, there is no way to use the seat FF on a plane until the fix has been made?
- Kecia July 29, 2016
  
  Technically, I guess you’re right but I wouldn’t worry about the slim chance of excessive Chest Gs on a plane. Turbulence is always the #1 concern when flying and the Coccoro will still keep your child secure. If you’re planning to fly with a Coccoro in the near future (before you can obtain the fix kit) and your child exceeds the RF height or weight limits, I wouldn’t sweat it. Just make sure it’s tethered FF in the vehicle you plan to use when you reach your destination.
  - Nedra July 30, 2016
    
    Thanks Kecia!