NHTSA, CPSC Announce Recall of Evenflo 'On My Way' Infant Car Seats/Carriers
5 March 1998
NHTSA, CPSC Announce Recall of Evenflo 'On My Way' Infant Car Seats/Carriers
WASHINGTON, March 5 -- 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 1-800-203-2138 to give their
name and address so that they can receive the repair kit.
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.
Recall Facts
WHAT Evenflo "On My Way" infant car seats/carriers, Models 207 and
492.
WHY While the seats are safe when being used in automobiles, when
being carried by an adult the side latch mechanisms on the
carrying handle can release, causing the seat to flip forward.
REMEDY Evenflo will provide a free repair kit directly to owners with
redesigned latch buttons.
HOW MANY About 800,000 manufactured from Dec. 15, 1995, to July 27,
1997.
MORE INFORMATION Evenflo: 1-800-203-2138
NHTSA: Auto Safety Hotline, 1-800-424-9393
CPSC: 1-800-638-2772
SOURCE U.S. Department of Transportation
