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An Evenflo child car seat imported into New Zealand is the subject of a voluntary recall amid concerns it could fail in certain types of collision.
Tests conducted by US manufacturer Evenflo and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) showed there was potential for Discovery infant seats made between 2005 and 2008 to separate from their base in high-speed side impact crashes.
The company said there had been no reports of deaths or serious injury related to Discovery car seats and the concerns had arisen out of an extreme, one-off event.
The models recalled in the US are 390, 391, 534 and 552.
New Zealand Evenflo distributor Warwick Edwards said the 390 and 391 models had been sold in New Zealand, and it was possible a few of the other models had been brought into the country privately.
Evenflo is providing owners with a free extra fastener to keep the seat in place.
This mechanism will not be available here for 4-6 weeks and retailers have been asked to take the names of those needing one so they can be contacted when they arrive.
Mr Edwards said it was only the particular models specified, with the separate auto-base, which were subject to the modification.
NHTSA has urged owners to keep using their car seats while waiting for the new fastener.
(Seeking reaction from Plunket car rental scheme)
- NZPA
