News Chicco Keyfit Recall

MPORTANT VOLUNTARY RECALL ALERT FROM CHICCO

Dear fellow CPS Advocate:

Chicco, in conjunction with NHTSA, will issue a voluntary recall for the Base of the KeyFit and KeyFit 30 infant seats. NHTSA is expected to announce this recall today, Monday, June 2, 2008. As Child Passenger Safety advocates, you are a leading resource for parents. Chicco values your efforts in promoting child passenger safety and would like to ensure you have a full understanding of this situation.

Child safety is critically important to Chicco and we will work diligently to inform impacted consumers and address this issue quickly and to their satisfaction. After the announcement is released, you can find a copy of the announcement on our recall Web page at www.chiccocarseatrecall.com.

This recall involves only the Base manufactured between February 26, 2008 and March 17, 2008, which is included with the following products and is also sold separately:
• Key Fit
• Key Fit 30
• Cortina Travel System

The Problem
Chicco has determined that some of the Bases manufactured between 2/26/2008 and 3/17/2008 have a manufacturing defect that can prevent achieving a tight fit when LATCH is used as the method of installation.

Specifically, when a defective Base is installed with LATCH, the webbing used to tighten the base can slip through the adjustment lock. If the webbing were to slip in the event of a vehicle crash, the child restraint could move, possibly increasing the risk of injury.

Please Note: The defective car seat Bases can still be used safely when attached using the vehicle seat belts instead of LATCH.

What Caregivers/Consumers Need to Know
To determine if a base is included in this recall, check the Serial Number printed on the Base, which will indicate whether the Base was manufactured during the dates February 26, 2008 to March 17, 2008. This white label is on the base near the colored installation labels. If the Serial Number is between 08 02 26 (corresponding to February 26, 2008) and 08 03 17 (corresponding to March 17, 2008), the base is covered by this recall.

If one of the serial numbers above is listed on the Base, caregivers/consumers should proceed as outlined below:
• Call 1-800-807-8817 to report the defective Base and receive a postage-paid, pre-addressed envelope.
• Cut off the LATCH connectors.
• Send the LATCH connectors and name, mailing address, and phone number in the postage-paid envelope provided by Chicco.
• Chicco will send the caregiver/consumer a new base once the LATCH connectors from the recalled base are received.

IMPORTANT: The Base can be used safely by installing it with the vehicle seat belts.

Chicco regrets this defect and any inconvenience this recall may cause. The safety of all children is our main concern. We appreciate your role in educating caregivers/consumers about this recall. Thank you for your dedication to child passenger safety.

Sincerely,
Chicco

QUESTIONS? Find the answer at www.chiccocarseatrecall.com

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Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
CHICCO / CORTINA TRAVEL SYSTEMS 9999

CHICCO / KEYFIT 9999

CHICCO / KEYFIT 30 9999

Manufacturer : CHICCO USA, INC Mfr's Report Date : JUN 02, 2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08C007000 N/A
NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: CHILD SEAT:BASE (INFANT)
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 18000
Summary:
CHICCO USA, INC. IS RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 18,000 BASES USED IN KEYFIT AND KEYFIT 30 REAR-FACING CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS AND IN CORTINA TRAVEL SYSTEMS, AND STAND-ALONE BASES FOR THESE SYSTEMS PURCHASED SEPARATELY, THAT WERE MANUFACTURED BETWEEN FEBRUARY 26 AND MARCH 17, 2008. SOME OF THESE BASES HAVE A DEFECT THAT CAN PREVENT THE BASE FROM BEING TIGHTLY SECURED TO A VEHICLE WHEN THE LOWER LATCH ATTACHMENTS ARE USED AS A METHOD OF INSTALLATION. SPECIFICALLY, WHEN A DEFECTIVE BASE IS INSTALLED WITH THE LOWER LATCH ATTACHMENT STRAPS, THE WEBBING USED TO TIGHTEN THE BASE TO THE VEHICLE SEAT CAN SLIP THROUGH THE ADJUSTMENT LOCK.
Consequence:
IF THE WEBBING WERE TO SLIP DURING A VEHICLE CRASH, THE BASE COULD MOVE, POSSIBLY INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy:
CHICCO WILL NOTIFY ALL OWNERS OF THE BASES MANUFACTURED DURING THE COVERED PERIOD OF THE DEFECT AND PROVIDE A FREE REPLACEMENT BASE. TO ENSURE THAT THE AFFECTED UNITS ARE REMOVED FROM USE, CHICCO WILL REQUEST THE CONSUMER TO CUT THE LOWER LATCH CONNECTORS FROM THE BASE AND RETURN THEM TO CHICCO IN A PRE-PAID ENVELOPE. CHICCO WILL THEN SEND THE CONSUMER A REPLACEMENT BASE. CAREGIVERS ARE BEING ADVISED THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE TO USE THE OLD BASE WITH THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY BELTS UNTIL THEY RECEIVE A REPLACEMENT. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING THE WEEK OF JUNE 2, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHICCO TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-807-8817.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

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crunchierthanthou said:

and from NHTSA-

I've got to admit I'm a bit surprised they made 18,000 in a 3 week span.

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