Clark Howard

Recall alert: More than 500,000 car seats pose injury risk

More than 500,000 children's car seats made by a Seattle-based company have been recalled due to a risk that they will not properly protect children in the event of a crash, MLive reported.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported in documents posted Oct. 6 that 519,052 car seats manufactured by a company called Diono are included in the recall. Diono was formerly known as Sunshine Kids Juvenile, and the recall includes its Radian R100, Radian R120, Radian RXT, Olympia, Pacifica and Rainier car seats, MLive reported.

THe NHTSA ruled that the recall was needed because when the seats are secured only using the lap belt, that children weighing more than 65 pounds will have an increased risk of chest injury during a crash.

“An occupant restrained using Type 1 (lap belt only) without top tether could be at increased risk of chest injury in an accident,” the NHTSA reported in documents. “Occupants over 65 pounds using the harness could be at increased risk of striking the vehicle interior during a crash. Radian child restraints have a long history of excellent performance in the field with no reported injuries or deaths associated with these use modes.

“Diono believes relatively few occupants will be harnessed over 65 pounds.”

The cause of the issue — discovered during product testing — is unknown, MLive reported.

In the remedy section of the documents, Diono said it will send owners or dealers a repair kit with an energy absorbing pad and a chest clip for free.

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