They added the ball indicator on the Canadian seats in 2010. Your seat would have a red line on the side of it indicating for it to be level to ground. Those seats were allowed to be installed more upright as well. Measuring on the exterior they allowed 35* which actually equates to about 30* on the interior since the inside angle and outside angle don't match.
My seat has a DOM of 2010 and it has the level ball on it. The replacement seat they sent me has a DOM of 2009 and no ball. But they both have the same model number on the sticker. It might be a minor issue but I'm annoyed at the downgrade and the year they took off the use of the seat when they were the ones who decided it was necessary to send me a new seat. I didn't ask for one.
Also, I didn't reply sooner, but the top tether really isn't a significant risk from what I've been told. The problem has been around for awhile and they've been aware of it long enough to have a fix available for it when a parent complains. However, the little flexible thing isn't what's holding the top tether on and if the tether is properly attached and tightened it's not going to come off in a collision. If you'd like my source you're welcome to message me and I can give you more specific details. I'm also surprised that they completely replaced your seat, but it's nice that they've given you good service.
I had read this on here before actually. But I emailed them a pic just to be sure. My email said "I put (the piece) on the clip. However the inside piece still does not come to touch the hook. See the second attached picture. I can clip it, it’s just not completely closed. Is that safe? " I didn't imply that I wanted a new seat. Just confirmation that the fix was correct.
As for the flexible little orange strap, CMVSS 213 and 213.1 require that the UAS comes attached to the child restraint. That little strap is meeting that part of the requirement. It doesn't do anything from a functional crash perspective, but it is keeping the UAS with the seat and that is required by standards. In technicality you probably shouldn't re-sell if you've cut it off, but from a functional/safety perspective, there is absolutely no safety concerns with cutting the strap.
I head read this on here before cutting it too. I generally don't mess with my seats! But I searched for threads on trouble tightening and I had read this. So I felt comfortable cutting it. I won't be selling it because I'm supposed to ship that seat back to them. But because they are investigating the differences between the seat they sent me and the seat I have, I currently have both. I'm only using mine though, and it's RF since my DS is only 17 months.
That said it's been nearly two weeks since they said they would investigate and call me back. I called yesterday just to ask for an update and I was told by the woman on the phone that she could not speak intelligently about what is going on because there are so many people involved in it already. She said she would speak to her supervisor and call me back. She hasn't. So I still don't have a clue what's going on.
ETA: I just got a phone call. They are looking for a Canadian approved/stickered version of the seat I have. They are just having trouble locating one and that is why it is taking time.
