WASHINGTON, D.C. --- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is alerting consumers of a recall Chicco announced on June 2 recalling 18,000 Key Fit and KeyFit 30 car seat bases manufactured between February 26 and March 17 this year.

The bases covered by this recall are sold with the KeyFit, KeyFit 30, and Contina Travel System as well as separately.

A manufacturing defect may prevent some of the bases from being tightly secured to a vehicle when the lower LATCH attachments are used as the method of installation. If the webbing were to slip during a vehicle crash, the base could move, possibly increasing the risk of injury.

Consumers with bases for KeyFit and KeyFit 30 car seats manufactured between February 26 and March 17, 2008, should contact Chicco toll-free at (800) 807-8817 to obtain a replacement base. Consumers will be instructed to cut the webbing of the LATCH connector and return it in a pre-paid envelope provided by Chicco. Then a replacement base will be mailed to them.

These car seats and bases can still be used safely with the vehicle's seat belts instead of the LATCH connectors until the replacement base is obtained.

Additional information can be found at www.chiccocarseatrecall.com. Owners may contact the Chicco recall hotline at (800) 807-8817 for more information on the recall and for assistance locating identifying information on the base.

Consumers can be notified of future child seat recalls by registering with NHTSA at www.safercar.gov.