Recall: CPSC, NHTSA and Britax Announce Recall of Infant Car Seats Due to Fall Hazard

Description: This recall involves Britax B-Safe 35 and B-Safe 35 Elite infant car seat and travel systems manufactured between October 1, 2014 and July 1, 2015. The product can be used as a rear-facing only car seat and as an infant carrier. The car seat/carriers have a canopy, black shell and base, and were sold in a variety of colors. The Britax logo is printed on both sides of the seat shell and on the carry handle grip. Model numbers and the date of manufacture (DOM) are printed on a label located at the back of the infant car seat/carrier shell. Models included in the recall are: Britax Infant Car Seats and Travel Systems Model Numbers Dates of Manufacture (YYYY/MM/DD) B-Safe 35 E9LU65M, E9LU65P, E9LU63F, E9LU66R, E9LS63F, EXLU65M October 1, 2014 (2014/10/01) through July 1, 2015 (2015/07/01) B-Safe 35 Elite E9LS55T, E9LS56P, E9LS55U, E9LS66C, E9LS65U B-Safe 35 Travel System S914900, S915400, S915200, S921900, S01635200

Name of product: Britax B-Safe 35 and B-Safe 35 Elite infant car seats and travel systems

Units: About 71,000 units (in addition 3,900 units were sold in Canada and 990 units in Mexico)

Hazard: The car seat carry handle can crack and break allowing the seat to fall unexpectedly, posing a risk of injury to the infant.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop carrying the car seat by the handle until the repair is installed. All consumers who have previously registered their product with Britax will automatically receive a free repair kit. To register to receive a repair kit or verify registration, visit www.bsafe35recall.com. Consumers can continue to use the car seat when secured in a vehicle or on a stroller.

Recall date: January 21, 2016

Incidents/Injuries: Britax has received 74 reports of handles developing fractures, cracks and/or breaking while in use, including one report of an infant who received a bump on the head when the carrier fell to the ground.

Sold At: Babies R Us, buybuy BABY, Target and other stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com, Diapers.com and other online retailers from November 2014 to January 2016 for between $210 and $250.

Manufactured in: United States

Consumer contact: Britax at 800-683-2045 from 8:30 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. ET on Friday, or by email at Britax.Recall@britax.com. Consumers can also visit the firm's website at www.us.Britax.com and click on "Safety Notice" at the top right of the page.

Recall number: 16-081