There certainly are worse things that 2 year old expired seats, in my opinion. Distracted driver, texting, talking on cell phone, child not being strapped in correctly, baby forward-facing too soon, etc... I have used a seat past expiration, but I felt comfortable doing that. As previous posters mentioned, there are other factors that need to be considered, and not just the fact that it *could* have been in an accident or the seat is "expired."
Now, what parts of a carseat, exactly, are subject to "expiration"?
I understand that plastic shells are often put under extreme conditions, leading to breakdown of the plastic, as well as the plastics used in seats are definitely tested and redeveloped/changed every so often for safety purposes.
I'd be worried with some of my past seats breaking down, as I live in New England. Extreme temps all year round.
All of my seats have been bought or gotten from a source that I KNEW very well and trusted.
I also do routine removals, cleanings, and inspections of all of our seats.
I am in no way saying that I would do this...
but what would be the "big deal" safety wise of using one of my said carseats, gotten from a very well known and trusted family member, inspected and cleaned every month or so by my self, past expiration date of the seat? (One seat in particular comes to mind...the harness straps appear to be in excellent condition, no parts missing, no visible shell damage, no drops or accidents, 5 point harness of course, cover in beautiful shape, buckles working correctly, will just fit my child for a few more months...)
What type of risk is that to a child? Why?
Is that seat safer to use, as a back-up seat, than a harnessed booster for a 2 year old?
Seats that are horribly past an expiration, in my opinion, should just be trashed anyway, but at what point can a seat "pass" after expiration where an older seat could not?
Just curiosity. I love what-if scenarios...maybe just to satisfy my own "safety" conscience.