NHTSA, CPSC Announce Recall of Evenflo On My Way Infant Car Seats/Carriers

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall of about 800,000 Evenflo On My Way infant car seats/carriers because of a defect that can cause serious injuries to children while the seats are being used as infant carriers.

“Parents should continue using these rear-facing infant car seats, but should not use the carrying handle until new parts are installed to fix the problem,” said NHTSA Administrator Ricardo Martinez, M.D. “Safety is our highest transportation priority. A child safety seat that is installed and used correctly is the most effective safety device available for young children in automobiles.”

The recall involves On My Way infant car seat/carrier model numbers 207 and 492 manufactured from Dec. 15, 1995, to July 27, 1997. The model 492 is the On My Way Travel System, which includes a stroller. Model 207 is the car seat/carrier without the stroller. The manufacture date and model number are located on the bottom of the seat. Juvenile product, mass merchandise and major discount stores nationwide sold the car seats beginning in January 1996 for about $60 to $70, and the car seat with stroller for $150 to $175.

The red push button assembly on each side of the seat that is used to latch and adjust the carrying handle can unexpectedly release and cause the seat to flip forward. There have been 176 reports in which the carrying handle latch unexpectedly released, resulting in 89 injuries to children, including bruises, concussions and skull fractures. The injuries occurred to both restrained and unrestrained children.

“This is a serious problem that puts infants at risk”, said CPSC Chairman Ann Brown. “The latches on these car seat carriers can release without warning. Parents who have this car seat should call for the free repair kit immediately.”

The recall results from a cooperative investigation conducted by NHTSA and the CPSC.

Evenflo will provide a repair kit, free of charge, with redesigned latch buttons that will make the handle latch much stronger. The repair can be done in the home with a Phillips head screwdriver. Until the seats are repaired, NHTSA and the CPSC advise owners not to carry a seat by its handle, but to use the hand holds at the head and foot of the seat.

Owners of these seats should call Evenflo at (800) 233-5921 to give their name and address so that they can receive the repair kit, or visit Evenflo's web site at www.evenflo.com to find out more information on this recall.

Consumers with questions about this recall campaign may call NHTSA’s toll-free Auto Safety Hotline at 1-800-424-9393. The number to call in the Washington, D.C., area is 202-366-0123. Information also is available from the CPSC Hotline at 1-800-638-2772.

Evenflo will provide a repair kit, free of charge, with redesigned latch buttons that will make the handle latch much stronger. The repair can be done in the home with a Phillips head screwdriver. Until the seats are repaired, NHTSA and the CPSC advise owners not to carry a seat by its handle, but to use the hand holds at the head and foot of the seat.

There have been 176 reports in which the carrying handle latch unexpectedly released, resulting in 89 injuries to children, including bruises, concussions and skull fractures. The injuries occurred to both restrained and unrestrained children.