Atlanta-based Newell Rubbermaid said its Graco Children’s Products Inc. division is recalling 1.9 million infant car seats to replace a harness buckle that may be hard to unlatch during an emergency.
The voluntary recall follows an agreement with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration affects SnugRide and Aprica brand infant seats produced between July 2010 and May 2013.
The recall follows one in February involving nearly 3.8 million child car seats and additional 403,000 child seats in March.
At the time, Newell Rubbermaid disagreed with the safety agency’s recommendation to expand the recall to include 1.8 million infant seats that have the same buckles, which the NHTSA wanted included. The latest recall includes some of the models the agency wanted included.
The company and NHTSA have received complaints about the car seats with some consumers resorting to cutting the harness straps to remove their child from the car seat, the agency previously reported. Graco said its tests found that food or beverages can make the harness buckles sticky and harder to use over time.
In a statement, Newell Rubbermaid said Tuesday the latest recall resolves issues with the federal agency.
“We are pleased to have reached a resolution of the infant car seat buckle investigation with NHTSA…” President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Polk said in a statement.
A spokeswoman told the Associated Press that there have been no injuries and that the recall “is in the best interest of consumers and underscores our shared commitment to child passenger safety.”
The recall affects several infant seats:
* SnugRide an SnugRide Classic Connect produced between March 1,2011 to May 31, 2013;
* SnugRide 30 and SnugRide Classic Connect 30, July 2010 through Jan. 31, 2013;
* SnugRide 35 Classic Connect 35, May 1, 2011 through Jan. 31, 2013,
* SnugRide Click Connect 40 June 1, 2012 through Dec. 31, 2012;
* Aprica A30, July 1, 2012 through April 30, 2013
Graco is offering a harness buckle replacement to consumers affected by recall notice or those who have difficulty with a buckle at no cost.
Graco said the car seats are safe and effective in restraining children and advises consumers to continue using them while awaiting a new buckle.
Consumers can find out more about the recall by visiting www.GracoBuckleRecall.com or by calling (877) 766-7470.
Newell Rubbermaid said the impact of the recall on net sales is expected to be immaterial.
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