Britax recalls top-line safety seats for faulty harness

Britax child safety seat.
SAFETY PROBLEM Some Britax seats
may let a child's head move too far forward in a crash.
Britax Child Safety has recalled four of its safety-seat models. The harness-adjuster assembly could allow the adjuster straps to slip. If that occurred in a crash, the child's head could move too far forward, increasing the risk of injury.

The recall affects all Marathon E9L06, Husky E9L30, Wizard E9L07, and Snug Seat Traveler Plus E9L32 seats made from August 2002 to July 2004. The recall covers 355,516 seats. The Marathon, Husky, and Wizard were sold at stores nationwide for about $220 to $250; the Snug Seat Traveler Plus, for children with special needs, sells for about $500 to $600. Model names and serial numbers are on a white label either on the lower right part of the seat front or on the side of the seat.

Britax says it has received no reports of accidents or injuries that could be
attributed to slippage caused by the harness-adjuster.

Britax will provide registered owners of the affected seats a new adjuster strap and instructions for installing it.

If you own one of the affected seats, check the restraint for slippage each time the seat is used. Pull on the shoulder harness without lifting the adjuster release lever. According to Britax, if the harness does not loosen, the seat can safely be used until the replacement strap is installed. If the harness loosens, do not use the car seat until the new strap is installed, the company says. We think that's sensible advice.

For more information or if you had not registered your seat, call Britax at 800-683-2045.