Child car seats recalled

67,000 seats might come apart in crash

March 5, 2008

FORT MILL, SC (AP) — Some 67,000 child car seats manufactured by Combi USA Inc. are being recalled because federal tests show the seats might separate from their bases in front-end collisions, the company said.

Combi USA said it will offer free retrofit kits to consumers who contact the company, but that it could take 6 to 8 weeks to get them.

"In the meantime, Combi recommends consumers use the Combi Centre and Shuttle without the base until the retrofit kit is installed," the recall notice said. "These seats are designed for and safe to use without the base." The firm said it hasn't received any reports of injuries to date regarding the Centre, Centre ARB and Shuttle Infant Restraints. It did not say what prompted the federal tests.

Combi said it was taking the action voluntarily "to ensure the public's trust in our products."

In a letter to consumers, the firm says the recall involves:

Centre, Centre ARB and Shuttle seats

Model #s 8065, 8074, 8086, 8087 and 8520

Travel systems containing with Centre and Shuttle seats

Model #s 4400, 4515 and 4520

The recall covers seats produced between October 2005 and December 2007. No other models were affected by the recall, the firm said. The model number and the date of manufacture can be found on a sticker located on the underside of the car seat. To get a free retrofit kit go to Combi Int'l.
or call 1-800-543-7734.