Should I be concerned?

karlatta · Oct 16, 2010

I have two Maestros (9/10, so not part of the recall). Today when DH was buckling the kids in the car, he suddenly looked at me and said, "Um, what's this?" and held up the crotch strap to one of the seats. With next to no effort, he had somehow completely removed it from the seat.

I went and put it in and pulled on it a million different ways to make sure it was in there securely, but I am kind of concerned. I know that theoretically, if the harness is tight, it should stay where it's supposed to, right? But if it came out in my DH's hand with him just buckling the kids in normally, how secure is it really? I don't like the idea of any part of my kid's car seat coming apart with such little effort. It's only done this once, but the seats have only been used a handful of times (they're spares for DH's car).

fyrfightermomma · Oct 16, 2010

I noticed mine just seemed to have a lot of play and seemed to be easy to get out if I really wanted to or it turned just right.

If I were you, I'd just check and double check and be certain every time you buckle that it is secure by pulling up on it hard.

I'd probably also call Evenflo as well.

Hope it doesn't happen again!

tiggercat · Oct 16, 2010

I would not be comfortable using that seat. A harness adjustor should never come off in your hand. Contact Evenflo, and possibly file a complaint with NHTSA.

ETA, I just reread your post, what exactly came off of the seat?

fyrfightermomma · Oct 16, 2010

tiggercat said:
I would not be comfortable using that seat. A harness adjustor should never come off in your hand. Contact Evenflo, and possibly file a complaint with NHTSA.

ETA, I just reread your post, what exactly came off of the seat?

Not sure if it was a typo on your part, but it was the crotch strap (like if you were to take it out to change crotch strap positions), not the harness adjustor according to OP

Either way, yeah it's weird and I'd call. But I know mine seems super easy to take out so I just make darn sure everytime it's fully engaged. I do like this seat so much that I wish it didnt' have so many problems!

Judi · Oct 16, 2010

I would do all of the above, and tape underneath so that sucker doesn't slide.

Defrost · Oct 16, 2010

I noticed the holes for the crotch strap on the Maestro are larger - I was actually pleased, it was so much easier to switch them.

As long as it's buckled tight enough, it can't slip out; even with the larger hole, it still has to be turned sideways and tilted to come out.

tiggercat · Oct 16, 2010

fyrfightermomma said:
Not sure if it was a typo on your part, but it was the crotch strap (like if you were to take it out to change crotch strap positions), not the harness adjustor according to OP

Either way, yeah it's weird and I'd call. But I know mine seems super easy to take out so I just make darn sure everytime it's fully engaged. I do like this seat so much that I wish it didnt' have so many problems!

Oh, good. For some reason I read it as if the adjustor mechanism was what came out. The crotch strap isn't nearly as scary for me. Yeah, a piece of tape underneath to hold it flat would be fine.

mytwobugs · Oct 16, 2010

Judi said:
I would do all of the above, and tape underneath so that sucker doesn't slide.

I have taped both of mine but for a different reason. I was having problems with the strap and clip rotating 180 degrees so that the release button faced the child instead of out and was tired of twisting it back with a kiddo sitting in it and it always happened when I was in a hurry. I agree the slot seems larger than most seats and that is probably what allows it to twist around so easily.

Should I be concerned?

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