*Important* AOE harness loosening!

[firemomof3]

I have one of the new AOE and today when I was tightening my 3y/o into the harness I found that it would loosen as soon as you would pull on the harness (you know to make sure its tight). If you pull on the harness straps (like grab both with your fist and pull straight out) they will loosen right up. Am I missing something here?!:eek:

[Gypsy]

Check the entire harness system to make sure it's all routed properly, check the adjusting mechanism to see if it's catching the harness. See what happens when your child is buckled in, harness tight and then leans forward.

If you can't see anything wrong that can be easily fixed, do not use the seat - call Dorel/Cosco immediately.

[firemomof3]

I did take the seat out and checked the harness routing. Everything looks fine. When my 3y/o leans forward the harness remains tight BUT all I have to do is apply some pressure and the harness slips through the release lever. I put my 3y/o back in her Avenue till I talk to Dorel. I will let you know what happens.

[MissKatie]

This was a problem with some earlier AOEs that caused quite a few of them to be recalled. I've had a few come through car seat checks and had to tell parents they were recalled. Dorel definitely needs to know, and I would file a complaint with NHTSA too here: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm

[firemomof3]

I tried to file with them but the model number is not listed so I couldn't continue...weird!
So, I just sent them an email with the model number & dom

[MissKatie]

I'm not sure why it does this, it does that to a lot of people... idk, maybe call them?

[firemomof3]

I don't know. I just checked my avenue (because now I'm paranoid) and I pulled as hard as I could and the harness didn't budge. So, I'm thinking the harness slipping like that is not normal.

[MissKatie]

I don't know. I just checked my avenue (because now I'm paranoid) and I pulled as hard as I could and the harness didn't budge. So, I'm thinking the harness slipping like that is not normal.

No, it's not normal. I mean the NHTSA website doesn't work for some people... it's always lacking a model number and no one knows how to enter their own... I'd try calling the ODI phone number on that web page - Dorel is not known to be proactive on issuing recalls or offering fixes for customers who are having issues with their seats, so I'd like to see NHTSA know about it.

[firemomof3]

Oh, OK I gotcha! Yes, I will call NHTSA tomorrow and file a formal complaint. I will also call Dorel and see what they'll do.

[firemomof3]

I called Dorel today and they said that they have not heard of this problem before but are sending shipping labels so that I can ship it back to them and then they are going to send me a new one (not that I want another).
I also filed a complaint with NHTSA via email.
I also called a friend who is tech/supervisor at a local BRU and she is going to check the ones she has in stock
And I'm off to BRU to try them there...I'll report back

[firemomof3]

I just got back from BRU and the harnesses on the AOE were fine. So, I guess its just mine :confused:
What the heck would cause my harness release to slip like that?

[snowbird25ca]

I just got back from BRU and the harnesses on the AOE were fine. So, I guess its just mine :confused:
What the heck would cause my harness release to slip like that?

It's possible it could be a case of where only select seats are slipping the same way as the prior ones which were affected by the recalls. Not every seat recalled before exhibited the slippage either and part of the recall notice was for parents to check if the harness easily slipped and those ones were to not be used ff'ing any further until the recall fix was done. Seats which didn't show slippage could continue to be used normally until the recall fix was done.

Please do report it to NHTSA. I suspect that's the best way to get action in the end if this problem is more common than we realize.