The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

CPSC, NHTSA and Cosco Announce Recall of Infant Car Seats/Carriers

8 July 1999

CPSC, NHTSA and Cosco Announce Recall of Infant Car Seats/Carriers
    WASHINGTON, July 8 -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA), Cosco Inc. of Columbus, Ind., is announcing the recall
of about 670,000 Arriva and Turnabout infant car seats/carriers. When used as
an infant carrier, the handle locks on each side of the seat can unexpectedly
release, causing the seat to flip forward. When this happens, the infant can
fall to the ground and suffer serious injuries.
    "This is a serious problem that puts infants at risk," said CPSC Chairman
Ann Brown. "The handle locks on these car seat carriers can release without
warning. Even if you regularly buckle your child into the seat, parents who
have this car seat should call for a free repair kit immediately."
    There have been 151 reports of the handle of the car seat/carrier
unexpectedly releasing, resulting in 29 injuries to children. These reports
include skull fractures, a broken arm, bumps to the head, black eyes, scrapes
and bruises. According to the reports, some injuries occurred to children who
were restrained in the seat.
    "Parents should continue using these rear-facing infant car seats, but
should not use the carrying handle until a repair kit has been installed,"
said NHTSA Administrator Ricardo Martinez, M.D. "Safety is our highest
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 Arriva and Turnabout infant car seat/carrier models
manufactured between March 1, 1995 and September 9, 1997. The manufacture date
and model number are written on a label located on the side of the seat. The
car seat/carriers have the following model numbers:

     Arriva    Turnabout
     02-665    02-729    02-731    02-758    02-759    02-760
     02-732    02-733    02-751    02-761    02-762    02-763
     02-756    02-757    02-764    02-765    02-667

    If the car seat/carrier does not have the model name written on it, the
unit can be identified by the model number and manufacturing date. Some car
seats/carriers also were sold with strollers.
     Juvenile product, mass merchandise and major discount stores nationwide
sold the car seats/carriers beginning in March 1995 for about $29 to $59 when
sold alone, or $89 to $139 when sold with strollers.
     Cosco will provide a free repair kit that will make the handle stronger.
The repair can easily be done in the home. Until a repair kit has been
installed, CPSC, NHTSA  and Cosco advise consumers not to carry the seat by
the handle.  Consumers may continue to use the product as a car seat or in
combination with strollers.  The CPSC, NHTSA and Cosco remind all parents and
care-givers to properly restrain their infants in the car seat/carrier at all
times.
     To receive a free repair kit or for more information, call Cosco at (800)
221-6736 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday, or visit
Cosco's Web site at http://www.coscoinc.com.
    Consumers with questions about this recall campaign can call NHTSA's toll-
free Auto Safety Hotline at (888) DASH-2-DOT ((888) 327-4236) or (202) 366-
0123 in the Washington, D.C., area (Ask for 99E-022). Consumers also can call
the CPSC Hotline at (800) 638-2772 for more information.
    This recall is the result of a cooperative investigation conducted by CPSC
and NHTSA .

Recall Facts

    WHAT  Cosco Arriva and Turnabout infant car seats/carriers.

               Arriva                       Turnabout
     02-665    02-729    02-731    02-758    02-759    02-760
     02-732    02-733    02-751    02-761    02-762    02-763
     02-756    02-757    02-764    02-765    02-667

    WHY    When used as an infant carrier, the handle locks on each side of
           the seat can unexpectedly release, causing the seat to flip
           forward. The infant can fall to the ground and suffer serious
           injuries.

    REMEDY Cosco will provide, free of charge, an easy-to-install repair kit.

    HOW
    MANY   About 670,000 manufactured between March 1, 1995 and September 9,
           1997. Seats manufactured September 10,1997 and after have newly
           designed handle locks.


WHAT TO DO  Check the label on the side of the product for the manufacturing
            date and one of the model numbers listed above. Contact Cosco
            toll-free at (800) 221-6736 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m . EDT M-F
            or visit their Web site at: http://www.coscoinc.com for a free repair kit
            or more information.  Until you install the repair kit do not to
            carry the seat by its handle, but by the head and foot of the
            seat. The seat can and should still be used as a car seat

    MORE    Cosco: (800) 221-6736         http://www.coscoinc.com
    INFO    CPSC:  (800) 638-2772         http://www.cpsc.gov
            NHTSA: (888) DASH-2-DOT       http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov
                   (888) 327-4236