The Graco recall has been expanded.
On Tuesday, July 1, Graco Children’s Products announced that they’d agreed to recall 1.9 million rear-facing infant car seats.
The executive decision follows a five-month ordeal between the company and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Due to mounting pressure from the safety administration, Graco ultimately decided to recall the additional 1.9 million infants seats.
In February and March, Graco recalled an estimated 4.2 million car seats collectively, due to operational issues with the harness belt.
However, the company fought not to include the most recently added 1.9 million infant seats.
According to Times Magazine, Graco did not want to include the 1.9 million seats because although the buckles may have been difficult to unhook over time, the full design of the rear-facing seats are totally different.
With the infant seat, even if the buckle could not be detached properly, the entire seat could be removed from the base.
However, the NHTSA cited “the hazards and risks involved in the delay of extricating a child from a rear-facing infant car seat in any emergency situation are significantly increased and rise to the level of unreasonable risk when the harness buckle is difficult to open or is stuck in a latched condition.”
So, the administrative observation was ultimately the determining factor.
According to NHTSA, the most recently recalled car seat models include, SnugRide, SnugRide Classic Connect (including Classic Connect 30 and 35), SnugRide 30, SnugRide 35, SnugRide Click Connect 40, and Aprica A30. These models were reportedly manufactured between July 2010 and May 2013.
Graco has stated that they would replace buckles on all recalled models. The company has also offered to send new replacements to any customer who makes a request. Customers aren’t even required to own a recalled model.
Customers can see if their car seat models are included by contacting Graco online at www.GracoBuckleRecall.com or by phone at (877) 766-7470.
Image via Graco Children’s Products, Facebook