Media Advisory - Important Safety Advisory - Dorel Distribution Canada - Enspira, Guide, Cruise, XRS Car Seat Shell Cracking

OTTAWA, July 9, 2013 /CNW/ - Dorel Distribution Canada and Transport Canada are informing the public of a potential safety concern with respect to Enspira, Guide, Cruise, and XRS child car seats. A total of 26,558 units manufactured between February 2, 2012 and November 8, 2012 are potentially affected.

These models are:

22410CAUA   Safety 1st Enspira 65
22742CLKW   Eddie Bauer Enspira 65

22660CTRN   Safety 1st Guide 65
22660CZIG   Safety 1st Guide 65
22701CAPH   Eddie Bauer XRS 65

22761CAGS   Safety 1st Cruise Air 65
22762CAZX   Safety 1st Cruise Air LX 65
22762CAUC   Safety 1st Cruise Air LX 65

Issue and Safety Risk: There is a potential safety-related defect with the car seat shell of the affected models. One side of the shell cracked during certain voluntary crash tests that Dorel performed, using a 3-year-old test dummy in a rear-facing position.

A crack like this could allow part of the restraint system seat back to recline more than the maximum angle allowed by the Motor Vehicle Restraint Systems and Booster Seats Safety Regulations during a severe crash.

It is important to note that:

• Dorel did not observe cracks during any forward-facing seat orientation tests or with any smaller, lighter test dummies in rear-facing tests.
• There have been no field reports from consumers or other parties of shell cracking during actual usage.

Enspira 65 only:

This crack exposes sharp edges, which could injure a child occupant or caregiver. The Motor Vehicle Restraint Systems and Booster Seats Safety Regulations do not allow restraint systems and booster seats to have exposed sharp edges and/or protruding surfaces after a crash test.

Company Action and Consumer Recourse: Transport Canada and Dorel Distribution Canada have actively investigated these test results.

Dorel will:

1. send an Owner Notification Letter to all registered users, as well as to those who have contacted Dorel stating that they possess an affected unit.  This letter will explain how to obtain a free shell repair kit.  The repair kit consists of a shell with French and English instructions on how to replace the existing shell.
2. post French and English "how to" replace the shell videos on their website for further clarity.

Consumers should visit the Dorel Juvenile Group website at http://recall.djgusa.com/services/productrecall/canadarecalls.html to verify if their model is included in this recall.

If your model could potentially be affected, order a free shell repair kit. To do this you may:

• call Dorel's dedicated Toll free Customer Service Hotline at 1 [phone], Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST
• email [email protected] or
• fax [phone].

In the interest of safety, Transport Canada and Dorel Distribution Canada feel it is important that you obtain and use the free shell repair kit as soon as possible. This structural problem may affect the overall safety of your restraint system in case of a crash.

A public notice was issued by Transport Canada on July 3, 2013, and further information on the pertinent Dorel Distribution Canada car seats can be found on Transport Canada's website at: http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/safedrivers-childsafety-notices-2013p03-1384.html.

SOURCE: Transport Canada

Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055