Manufacturer Issues Infant Restraints Recall

FORT MILL, S.C. --- Combi USA Inc. announced a voluntary safety recall of the Centre, Centre ARB and Shuttle Rear Facing Infant Restraints.

The Centre and Shuttle were manufactured from October 19, 2005 to December 15, 2007. No other models are affected by this recall.

Combi USA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Transport Canada conducted numerous in-vehicle laboratory tests to analyze the overall effectiveness of the Centre and Shuttle in frontal crashes. In some cases these tests exceeded the requirements of the current U.S. standard. The test data revealed that the seat of the restraint could potentially separate from its base, when tested under these conditions.

While Combi has not received any owner reports of these seats separating from the base in real-world crashes, Combi is initiating this voluntary safety recall to address the potential for seat separation. Combi will conduct a voluntary recall campaign with the intent of providing car seats with enhanced protection under these in-vehicle test conditions.

The recall affects approximately 67,000 units, produced Oct. 19, 2005 to Dec. 15, 2007. The model numbers affected are: 8065, 8074, 8086, 8087 and 8520 and associated Travel Systems containing the Centre and Shuttle (Model #4400, 4515, 4520). The model number and date of manufacture is displayed on a sticker located on the underside of the car seat.

Combi will mail all registered owners a notification letter describing how to obtain a free retrofit kit. Those consumers who have not registered their product should immediately visit www.combi-intl.com or call Combi Consumer Relations Department at 1-800-543-7734 to place an order for a free retrofit kit. The kit will be shipped within six to eight weeks.

Until the retrofit kit arrives, Combi recommends that consumers use the Combi Centre and Shuttle without the base.