The Recall Desk
SevereCPSC·00034·Announced 1999-12-20

Kolcraft Recalls Infant Car Seats Due to Handle Failure Risk

Kolcraft is recalling about 754,000 infant car seats/carriers because the handle can unexpectedly move, causing the seat to rotate and the infant to fall.

What this means for you

Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural defect in a child safety product that has resulted in 42 reported injuries, including skull fractures and concussions, meeting the criteria for 'Severe' severity due to significant injury reports.

Plain-English summary

Kolcraft Enterprises is recalling approximately 754,000 infant car seats and carriers sold nationwide from January 1993 through June 1999. The affected models include the Infant Rider, Secura, Travel-About, Plus 4, Plus 5, Kolcraft Infant Restraint, Kolcraft Infant Car Seat, and Playskool Infant Car Seat. The recall involves units with specific five-digit model/style numbers such as 1312X, 1382X, 1383X, 1384X, 1385X, 368XX, 43XXX, and 7700X. Seats manufactured after July 1, 1999, and the Kolcraft Rock N Ride are not included in this recall.

The hazard exists because the handle can unexpectedly move from the intended carrying position, causing the seat to suddenly rotate. This can result in the infant falling to the ground. The company has received more than 3,000 reports of handle-related problems, which have resulted in 42 injuries to infants. These injuries range from skull fractures and concussions to cuts, scrapes, and bruises.

Consumers should check the label on the side of the product for the manufacturing date and five-digit model/style number to determine if their unit is affected. If it is, consumers should contact Kolcraft at (877) 776-2609 to obtain a free repair kit. Until the carrier is repaired, consumers should not carry the seat by its handle but should hold it by the head and foot of the seat. The seat can still be used as a car seat.

The recalled product

Product
Kolcraft infant car seats/carriers
Manufacturer
Kolcraft Enterprises, of Chicago, Ill.
Category
Consumer Product — Child Safety / Car Seats
Hazard
Affected units
754,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · fall injury

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