What You Need to Know About the Britax Car Seat Recall

Many parents believe that Britax car seats are the safest seats on the market. For these parents Britax recalls are big news and they might be afraid that they have put their faith in the wrong product. Here are the details of the car seat recall.
On November 8, 2012, Britax Child Safety, Inc. announced a voluntary safety recall on select Britax car seats in the U.S. and Canada.

Seats affected by the recall.

Convertible car seats in the U.S.:

• Britax Boulevard 70-G3
• Britax Pavilion 70-G3
• Britax Advocate 70-G3
• Model numbers: E9LJ91A, E9LJ91M, E9LJ91S, E9LJ92E, E9LJ93P, E9LJ93S, E9LK91A, E9LK31A, E9LK31Q, E9LK32D, E9LK32Z, E9LK33Q, E9LL11A, E9LL11Q, E9LL12D, E9LL12Z, E9LG81A, E9LG83N, E9LG83P, E9LG83X, E9LG83Y, E9LL21A, E9LL23P, E9LL23Y

Convertible car seats in Canada:

• Britax Boulevard 65-G3
• Britax Pavilion 65-G3
• Britax Advocate 65-G3
• Model numbers: E9LK11A, E9LK11M, E9LK11S, E9LK13P, E9LK13S, E9LK41A, E9LK41Q, E9LK42D, E9LK42Z, E9LK43Q E9LG91A, E9LG93N, E9LG93P, E9LG93X, E9LG93Y

The recall only affects seats manufactured between June 1, 2012, and August 31, 2012.

Why the recall?

These seats have an enhanced harness system where the HUGS (Harness Ultra-Guard System) Chest Pads are attached to the seat shell to make sure that they are properly positioned. The attached pads also prevent the forward movement of the child, reducing the risk of head injury in a car accident. However, the new pads are made of softer foam designed to be more comfortable for children. The recall was initiated because Britax received reports that some children were chewing or biting the pads causing pieces to break off. These pieces can cause a choking hazard, especially to infants.

What should you do if your car seat has been recalled?

Parents who have an affected car seat should remove the pads and adjust the harness. While the seat can be safely used without the pads, Britax is providing parents with a kit that will allow them to replace the defective pads with a pad that will not break apart if chewed. The kit contains two pads made of a firmer material and instructions for replacing the pads.
To order your pads, call Britax at 1-888-427-4829. You will need the model number and date of manufacture of your car seat. In most Britax seats, this information is located on a sticker on the shell and on the instruction manual.