Car seats and booster seats are recalled like cars, but nobody can write to you about a recall unless the maker knows you own the seat. Here is how to check yours, and how to make sure you hear about the next one.
1. Find the seat's details
You need the maker, the model name or number, and the date it was made. They are printed on the labels on the seat itself; keep a photo of them on your phone.
2. Check for recalls
Search the seat's maker and model in NHTSA's recall look-up, which covers car seats and other equipment as well as vehicles, or check the maker's own website. NHTSA suggests checking for recalls twice a year. In the UK, GOV.UK's recall check covers child car seats by manufacturer and model.
3. Register the seat
NHTSA's advice is to register every car seat: once you have, the manufacturer "can contact you directly about recalls and safety notices". Mail the registration card that came with the seat or register on the maker's website. If you cannot register with the maker, NHTSA lists an email contact on its car seats page. You can also get recall alerts through NHTSA's SaferCar app or its email alerts.
4. If your seat is recalled
Read the notice: it says whether you can keep using the seat while you wait for the fix, and what the fix is. Contact the maker with the model number and date of manufacture. Do not use a seat the notice says to stop using.
5. Get it checked
Certified technicians will check that a seat is fitted and used correctly, usually free; NHTSA lists inspection stations, some of them virtual. For used seats, NHTSA publishes a used car seat safety checklist; use one only if it passes every point. And in winter, the coat comes off first: winter coats and car seats.
Quick answers
How do I check if my car seat has been recalled?
Find the maker, model name or number and date of manufacture on the seat's labels, then search them in NHTSA's recall look-up or on the maker's website. In the UK, GOV.UK's recall check covers child car seats.
Why should I register my child's car seat?
So the maker can contact you directly about recalls and safety notices. Mail the card that came with the seat or register on the maker's website.
Is a recalled car seat safe to use?
It depends on the recall. The notice says whether the seat can be used while you wait for the fix. If it says to stop using the seat, stop.
Related
Sources
- NHTSA: Car seats and booster seats
- NHTSA: Safety issues and recalls, check by VIN
- GOV.UK: Check if a vehicle, part or accessory has a recall
This page explains US federal rules in plain words. It is not legal advice; for a dispute, the statute and NHTSA are the authority, and a lawyer can advise on your case.
Published 7 November 2026 by A.I.T. Multiverse Consulting Ltd, Nicosia, Cyprus. CarsMultiverse is an independent site, not an authority.