Published by If your child was hurt in a crash involving a recalled Recaro car seat, a legal review may help you understand your options.
Compensation may be available for medical bills, follow-up treatment, and other documented losses tied to an allegedly defective child restraint.
Table Of Contents
What’s the Problem?
The issue involves the top portion of certain Recaro child restraints. When one of the affected seats is installed using the top tether, the upper part of the restraint can crack and allow the tether to separate from the seat.
That matters because the top tether is part of the system meant to help stabilize the child restraint during a crash. If the tether separates when it is needed most, the seat may not perform as intended, and a child could be at greater risk of striking interior surfaces inside the vehicle.
Latest Updates
- June 2015 – Recaro announced a recall of certain ProRIDE and Performance RIDE child restraints manufactured from April 9, 2010 through June 9, 2015. The recall involved 173,063 units and stated that when the affected seats are installed using the top tether, the upper portion of the restraint can crack and allow the tether to separate, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. The recall notice also stated that no injuries or serious problems had been reported at that time. [1]
Which Car Seats Were Recalled?
The recall involved Recaro ProRIDE and Performance RIDE child restraints manufactured between April 9, 2010 and June 9, 2015. Families who still own one of these seats should check the model label carefully, because the recall covered a large number of specific model numbers within those two product lines.
In practical terms, the first step is identifying whether the seat is a ProRIDE or Performance RIDE and then confirming the date range and model information on the product label. That identification can be important in both a recall claim and any injury-related legal review.
Incidents and Injuries
The recall notice stated that no injuries or serious problems had been reported when the recall was announced. That is important, and it should be stated clearly.
Even so, a defect in a child restraint system is still serious because these products are designed for crash protection. A recall does not need a large injury count to raise major safety concerns when the alleged problem involves cracking and tether separation during a collision.
Why This Recall Matters
Parents trust car seats to perform in one of the most dangerous situations a child can face: a motor vehicle crash. When a child restraint is recalled because part of the structure can crack and the top tether can separate, that goes directly to the seat’s core safety function.
For some families, the issue may end with a remedy and no injury. For others, especially if a crash already happened, the seat’s condition, installation method, and crash circumstances may become very important in deciding whether the product contributed to a child’s injuries.
What Owners Should Do Now
Recaro said registered owners would be notified and could contact customer service to receive a load-limiting strap along with instructions on how to install it. If a family still has one of the affected seats, it makes sense to keep the product label, model information, and any recall communications together.
If a crash or injury has already occurred, families may also want to preserve the seat itself, photographs, and medical records before making changes to the product, if that can be done safely and appropriately.
Do You Qualify for a Recaro Car Seat Recall Lawsuit?
A legal review may be appropriate if a child was injured in a collision while riding in a recalled Recaro ProRIDE or Performance RIDE seat. Claims are often stronger when the recalled seat can be clearly identified and there is documentation showing how the seat was installed and what happened in the crash.
Evidence to Gather
- Photos of the car seat and product labels
- Model number and manufacture date information
- Crash reports and vehicle photographs
- Medical records and treatment records
- Any recall notices or communications from Recaro
Potential Damages
Potential damages may include medical expenses, future treatment costs, pain and suffering, and other documented losses tied to the crash and resulting injuries.
References
- https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2014/RCORRD-14C005-9413.pdf