Evenflo On My Way infant car seats/carriers
CPSC Recall #98-076 — March 4, 1998
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 98-076 |
| Recall Date | March 4, 1998 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | About 800,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Juvenile product |
| mass merchandise and major discount stores nationwide sold the car seats beginning in January 1996 for about $60 to $70 |
| and the car seat with stroller for $150 to $175. |
Product
Evenflo On My Way infant car seats/carriers
Description
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall of about 800,000 Evenflo On My Way infant car seats/carriers because of a defect that can cause serious injuries to children while the seats are being used as infant carriers. “Parents should continue using these rear-facing infant car seats, but should not use the carrying handle until new parts are installed to fix the problem,” said NHTSA Administrator Ricardo Martinez, M.D. “Safety is our highest transportation priority. A child safety seat that is installed and used correctly is the most effective safety device available for young children in automobiles.” The recall involves On My Way infant car seat/carrier model numbers 207 and 492 manufactured from Dec. 15, 1995, to July 27, 1997. The model 492 is the On My Way Travel System, which includes a stroller. Model 207 is the car seat/carrier without the stroller. The manufacture date and model number are located on the bottom of the seat. Juvenile product, mass merchandise and major discount stores nationwide sold the car seats beginning in January 1996 for about $60 to $70, and the car seat with stroller for $150 to $175. The red push button assembly on each side of the seat that is used to latch and adjust the carrying handle can unexpectedly release and cause the seat to flip forward. There have been 176 reports in which the carrying handle latch unexpectedly released, resulting in 89 injuries to children, including bruises, concussions and skull fractures. The injuries occurred to both restrained and unrestrained children. “This is a serious problem that puts infants at risk”, said CPSC Chairman Ann Brown. “The latches on these car seat carriers can release without warning. Parents who have this car seat should call for the free repair kit immediately.” The recall results from a cooperative investigation conducted by NHTSA and the CPSC. Evenflo will provide a repair kit, free of charge, with redesigned latch buttons that will make the handle latch much stronger. The repair can be done in the home with a Phillips head screwdriver. Until the seats are repaired, NHTSA and the CPSC advise owners not to carry a seat by its handle, but to use the hand holds at the head and foot of the seat. Owners of these seats should call Evenflo at (800) 233-5921 to give their name and address so that they can receive the repair kit, or visit Evenflo's web site at www.evenflo.com to find out more information on this recall. Consumers with questions about this recall campaign may call NHTSA’s toll-free Auto Safety Hotline at 1-800-424-9393. The number to call in the Washington, D.C., area is 202-366-0123. Information also is available from the CPSC Hotline at 1-800-638-2772.
Hazard
The red push button assembly on each side of the seat that is used to latch and adjust the carrying handle can unexpectedly release and cause the seat to flip forward. This can cause serious injuries to children while the seats are being used as infant carriers.
Incidents & Injuries
There have been 176 reports in which the carrying handle latch unexpectedly released, resulting in 89 injuries to children, including bruises, concussions and skull fractures. The injuries occurred to both restrained and unrestrained children.
Remedy Instructions
Evenflo will provide a repair kit, free of charge, with redesigned latch buttons that will make the handle latch much stronger. The repair can be done in the home with a Phillips head screwdriver. Until the seats are repaired, NHTSA and the CPSC advise owners not to carry a seat by its handle, but to use the hand holds at the head and foot of the seat.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Repair) at no cost to you.
Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.