No. H012/10
For release - February 5, 2010
OTTAWA — Transport Canada is today informing the public of a potential problem with the base of the Maxi-Cosi Mico infant car seat. Dorel Distribution Canada will voluntarily notify its customers.
In a small number of cases, research testing found that when the seat is installed onto the removable base, the seat may latch into the base without locking fully. As a result, the seat could separate from the base in the event of a collision if the seat is not properly locked into the base. There have been no consumer reports of separation or injury reported in Canada, and Transport Canada has received no complaints.
Owners of this car seat can continue to use the product but should check immediately to ensure that the grey “Pull to Release” handle on the side of the seat is pushed in properly and fully locked, as per the diagram below.
In addition, owners should immediately ensure they receive a free repair kit. All registered owners will receive a letter from Dorel Distribution Canada outlining the steps they should take to receive the repair kit. Non-registered consumers should contact Dorel Distribution Canada toll-free at 1-877-657-9546 to receive a free repair kit that contains new springs and a tool to change the springs. In addition, the company is supplying ease-of-use information with a label that can be attached to the base.
This issue was first identified through Transport Canada research testing when a seat released from its base during a crash test. Further investigation found that, in some instances, the base release handle would not return to the fully locked position.
For a list of models and model numbers affected, please visit www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/safedrivers-childsafety-notices-2010p01-1029.htm.
This infant car seat resembles the photo below:
Below are three photos indicating how to properly latch and lock the seat together. The first and second photos below show the incorrect position of the grey “Pull to Release” handle. The third photo features the correct position of the handle:
(1) In this photo, the handle is not latched or locked.
(2) In this photo, the handle is latched but NOT fully locked.
(3) In this photo, the handle is both latched and fully locked.
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Contact:
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/e-news and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.
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