More than a half million car seats are being recalled due to a safety harness issue, according to a report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The agency announced Dec. 19 that Nuna Baby Essentials, Inc. is voluntarily recalling over 600,000 of its Rava car seats, citing a potential safety hazard with the harness adjuster mechanism.
The recall affects Rava car seats manufactured between July 16, 2016, and Oct. 25, 2023, which feature a plastic harness adjuster button. The affected models differ from those with fabric covering the harness adjuster area.
According to the NHTSA report, the defect stems from debris entering the front harness adjuster area. The debris can interfere with the adjuster mechanism’s teeth, potentially preventing them from properly gripping the adjuster strap. As a result, the harness may not remain tight, which poses a safety risk.
“If a child restraint harness is not tight in a crash, the child could be injured,” the NHTSA report states.
The recall encompasses an estimated 608,786 car seats, with Nuna Baby Essentials, Inc. estimating that 100% of the affected units may have this defect.
The issue came to light following complaints received by both Nuna and NHTSA from reports of difficulties in tightening the harness or instances of the harness loosening through the adjuster mechanism.
n response, NHTSA initiated an investigation in May 2024 after receiving a defect petition and subsequently opened a preliminary evaluation in October, according to the report.
Parents and caregivers should be aware that a warning sign of this defect is if the harness does not remain tight when checked while placing a child in the seat, the agency said.
To address the issue, Nuna plans to provide consumers with a free remedy kit, which includes a new seat pad, instructions for properly cleaning the harness adjuster area and installing the new pad, a screwdriver for removing and replacing the plastic cover over the harness adjuster, and a plastic brush for cleaning the adjuster’s teeth and clearing debris.
The new seat pad design covers the plastic area around the adjuster, helping to prevent debris from entering.
As of the report’s filing, no injuries or fatalities have been reported related to the recall.
The recall affects multiple Rava car seat models, including but not limited to CS-50, CS05101, CS05103, CS05104, CS05105, CS05106, CS05107, CS05109, CS05110, CS05111, CS05114, and CS05115, which also is listed on the company’s website.
The company has not yet announced specific dates for when owners and retailers will be notified but has confirmed that production of the recalled models ended in October 2023.
For more information about the recall or to check if your Rava car seat is affected, consumers are encouraged to contact Nuna Baby Essentials, Inc. or visit the NHTSA website.