Reader Question: Searching for Car Seat Recalls

Q: I am looking at car seats for my baby and want to know if there are any recalls for the model I might buy. How can I find that information?

A: First, if you're buying a new car seat, you shouldn't have much risk of finding a recalled model on store shelves. Most stores that carry a large car seat inventory get fast notice of any recalls and are able to pull the affected car seats from shelves quickly. It's not a bad idea to check, though, just in case.

The best way to find car seat recall information is to go directly to the federal agency that collects car seat recall data, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), which is part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Use the steps below to search for recalls on any car seat model.

• Visit the ODI website and select child safety seats as your search option.
• Use the drop-down menu to select the manufacturer of your car seat and click "Select Make."
• Use the drop-down menu to select the model number or model name of your car seat and click "Select Model."
• Use the drop-down menu to select a specific recall to view, or check the box below to see all recalls of that car seat model.
• If your car seat is affected by a recall, use the instructions on that site to contact the manufacturer for repair or replacement information.