Evenflo is recalling certain Evolve combination seats because some children are able to reach the harness release button, allowing them to loosen the harness while they’re in the seat. No injuries have been reported.
The recall covers seats manufactured prior to February 9, 2016, with model numbers 34411700 and 34411741 in the United States and 34411700C in Canada. Registered owners should automatically receive the recall kit, but parents can check Evenflo’s website or can call the company at 1-800-233-5921 (U.S.) or 1-88-265-0749 (Canada) to determine if their seats are affected. The recall kit consists of a new harness adjustment button assembly and installation instructions. A video of the installation instructions can be found here.
If you own an Evolve car seat and are using it in booster mode, you can continue safely using the seat as a booster since the recall is for the harness portion only.
If you own an Evolve and are using it in harnessed mode, you have a couple options while you wait for your fix kit to arrive:
If your child has not shown an interest in loosening it, or cannot reach the harness adjustment button with the harness straps tightened properly, you can monitor the situation while continuing to use the seat.
If your child is loosening the harness, the first thing you should do is the Pinch Test to double check that the harness straps are tight enough. It’s a lot easier to reach the button if the harness isn’t properly snug. A snug harness has no visible slack and you cannot pinch any webbing in the straps above the chest clip near the collar bone. In our experience, most younger kids can’t manipulate the button if the harness is appropriately snug because their arms just aren’t long enough. Older kids with longer arms are more likely to be able to reach the adjuster and unlock it.
If the harness is snug but the child can reach the adjuster button and persists in loosening the harness, Evenflo suggests using the seat in booster mode (if the child is at least 40 pounds and 44 inches tall) until the remedy kit arrives. If the child is under that height/weight and playing with the adjuster, Evenflo recommends discontinuing use of the seat until the remedy kit is applied.
The Evolve is a “sister seat” to the Evenflo Transitions car seat. The Transitions was recalled for an identical problem back in February.