The dangers of counterfeit car seats

Purchasing a car seat online may seem like a convenient option, but experts warn the practice can be unsafe.

“We’ve recently seen an increase in reports and concerns of counterfeit car seats from families in both our postpartum and neonatal intensive care units,” explains Kim Vuckovich, a nurse and neonatal outreach coordinator at Advocate Children’s Hospital. “Many of these seats are purchased online and may not meet federal safety standards.”

Vuckovich says counterfeit car seats put infants at serious risk in the event of a crash, often shattering or collapsing during impact and failing crash testing. To help identify a counterfeit car seat, she recommends looking for these red flags:

Missing or incorrect labeling

• Look for National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) label and this certification statement required by U.S. law: “This child restraint system conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards.”
• Make sure the warning label is in English
• You should be able to locate the date of manufacture, expiration date, model number and registration information

No post card to register the seat

• Companies may offer a QR code to scan for online registration, but all car seats sold in the U.S. are required by law to include a postage-paid registration card.

Substandard materials

• Thin plastic, loose buckles and non-load bearing chest clips
• No energy-absorbing foam made of expanded polystyrene (EPS) or expanded polypropylene (EPP)

Improper fit and poor instructions

• The car seat should fit securely in your vehicle
• The car seat should come with well translated instructions

Too low of a price or sold on questionable website

• Sold on third-party platforms without a manufacturer warranty
• Unrealistic prices far below MSRP

Design mismatch

• Doesn’t match any known brand or the brand’s current website listings
• Branding that is misspelled or slightly off

Doesn’t pass inspection

• Car seat technicians can spot counterfeits during community checks

“Make sure your child’s safety by purchasing car seats from authorized retailers only through brand websites, big box stores or certified distributors,” Vuckovich adds. “You should also register your seat using the card included in the box or online at NHTSA.gov so the car seat company can directly contact you in the event of a safety recall.”

Unsure of the authenticity of your car seat? You can check with the manufacturer as well as look up recall status. Don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment to have a certified child passenger safety technician (CPST) perform a car seat check.

Learn more about car seat safety.