Why this matters
Car seats are the single most important safety item for children in vehicles — correctly installed and maintained seats dramatically reduce the risk of serious injury or death in a crash. But seats can be recalled, damaged in collisions, or expire; staying on top of recalls and proper installation keeps your child protected on every trip.
This guide gives simple, step-by-step actions: how to check for recalls and register your seat, how to verify a correct installation (and where to get help), and when to stop using or replace a seat — after a crash, when it’s expired, or when it’s been outgrown.
How to check for recalls and register your car seat
Step 1 — find the seat details: locate the model name/number, manufacture date, and serial number on the white label or stamped plastic (often on the back, bottom, or base). Keep this info handy.
Step 2 — check recalls right away: visit NHTSA's recall tools (SaferCar/NHTSA), or use the NHTSA/SaferCar app to search product recalls or sign up for alerts. If a recall affects your seat, follow the manufacturer's instructions for repair, replacement, or refund. Registering the seat with the manufacturer ensures you receive direct recall notices.
Step 3 — if you bought a used seat: verify the manufacture date, that it was never in a crash, has all original parts and labels, and has no open recalls before using it. If anything’s missing or uncertain, don’t use it.
Install right — quick checklist and tips
Basic installation rules to memorize:
- Read both the car seat manual and your vehicle owner's manual for the correct belt path and LATCH locations.
- Use either the vehicle seat belt or the LATCH lower anchors for installation (not both at the same time unless the car seat instructions allow it).
- For forward-facing seats, always attach and tighten the top tether when the vehicle has one.
- Harness should be snug: you shouldn’t be able to pinch webbing at the collarbone. For rear-facing, the harness straps sit at or below the shoulders; for forward-facing, at or above the shoulders. Children under 13 should ride in the back seat.
Get a free hands-on check: many local police, fire departments, hospitals, and Safe Kids coalitions host car-seat inspection events with certified technicians who will verify installation and fit. National Seat Check events happen each year — it’s worth a short appointment to be certain.
When to stop using or replace a car seat
Use the manufacturer label and manual as your primary source, but here are the most common reasons to stop using a seat:
- Recall with an unrepaired defect: If a safety recall affects your model and you haven't received the repair or replacement remedy, stop using the seat until it’s fixed per the manufacturer’s instructions.
- After a moderate or severe crash: NHTSA defines criteria for a “minor” crash; seats involved in moderate/severe crashes should be replaced. Many manufacturers go further and advise replacement after any crash — always follow the seat maker’s guidance. Keep crash documentation and contact the manufacturer or your insurer about replacement or reimbursement options.
- Expiration: Most car seats have an expiration or manufacturer-specified service life (commonly about 6–10 years from manufacture, depending on model). Materials degrade and standards change, so do not use an expired seat. If you can’t find an expiration date, contact the manufacturer or a certified technician.
- Visible damage or missing/worn parts: Cracked shell, frayed harness, broken buckles, or missing labels means stop using immediately and replace. Even subtle damage can compromise protection.
- Outgrown height/weight limits: Move to the next appropriate seat type only when your child exceeds the current seat’s limits — don’t hurry transitions (rear-facing as long as possible to the seat’s limits). Follow the AAP guidance to keep children rear-facing as long as the seat allows.
Action tip: photograph the seat label and store the PDF manual in your phone so you can quickly look up instructions, manufacture date, and model number if you need them after a crash or to check a recall.
Practical next steps, resources & what to do after a recall or crash
Simple checklist you can do right now:
- Locate and photograph the seat label (model, serial, manufacture date).
- Register the seat with the manufacturer and sign up for NHTSA/SaferCar recall alerts (SaferCar app available).
- Find a local CPS technician or inspection station for a free check (Safe Kids or NHTSA lists are good starting points).
- If your seat was in a crash, follow the manufacturer’s replacement guidance and save police/insurance reports if you need reimbursement.
- If recall remedy is a repair kit, follow instructions exactly; if the kit can’t be applied or your child can access a repaired area that poses a hazard, stop using the seat until the manufacturer provides a safe remedy. Recent recalls show manufacturers offering kits, replacements, or refund options depending on the defect.
If replacing a recalled or expired seat is a hardship, look for local programs: hospitals, police departments, Safe Kids coalitions, and some manufacturers or retailers offer replacement assistance or trade-in programs. Retailers sometimes run car seat trade-in or recycling events. Always verify the program so you don’t accept an unsafe or uncertified substitute.
Final note: consistent correct use matters. Always buckle every trip, keep kids in the recommended seat type until they outgrow it, and lean on certified technicians when in doubt — a brief seat check can make a big difference in safety.
