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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is issuing a massive recall for child safety seats manufactured by Dorel Juvenile Group (DJG) from May 1, 2008 to April 30, 2010. DJG reports that the recall applies to Convertible child restraints Alpha Omega, Alpha Omega Elite, Enspira, Priori, Prospect, and Vantage; Infant child restraints Mico and OnBoard.

NHTSA says that car seat owners may experience issues with the harness locking and release button because it “does not always return to its locked position. A button that is not in the locked position can allow the harness adjustment strap to slip back through the adjuster as a child moves around in the seat and results in a loose harness. In the event of a crash, the child may not be adequately protected and is at an increased risk of injury.”

To determine if your car seat is affected by the recall, check the model number. If your car seat’s model number is not on this list, you are not impacted: 22077, 22078, 22148, 22149, 22150, 22152, 22154, 22155, 22158, 22159, 22172, 22177, 22178, 22185, 22188, 22195, 22356, 22371, 22372, 22412, 22439, 22452, 22453, 22456, 22458, 22459, 22462, 22465, 22469, 22476, 22486, 22546, 22547, 22553, 22554, 22561, 22564, 22567, 22574, 22580, 22657, 22740, 22741, 22755, 22758, 22759, 22790, 22799, 22880, 22560, 22346, 17439, 22449, 22475, AND IC072.

Unlike vehicle recalls, the DJG will not repair car seats for you, but they will supply a remedy kit. “Registered owners will receive a remedy kit consisting of a small tube on nontoxic, food-grade lubricant to be applied to the center front adjuster (CFA) to prevent sticking and allow it to properly engage the CFA strap,” NHTSA explains. “Instruction on how to apply the lubricant will be provided, along with a label to indicate that the repair has been completed.”

If you are not a registered owner, contact DJG at 1-866-623-3139 or by email at [email protected] Have the entire model number on the child restraint ready. If you need further assistance, you may also call NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or www.safercar.gov.

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