More recalls! Baby Trend, Inc. today announced that they are recalling certain model year 2011 and 2012 TrendZ Fastback 3-in-1 child restraints, models FB60070 (Granite) and FB60408 (Jellybean), manufactured between October 2011 and July 2013 due to concerns about difficulty in unlatching the harness buckle. In some cases, the buckle becomes stuck in a latched condition so that it cannot be opened by depressing the buckle’s release button.
It may be difficult to remove the child from the restraint, increasing the risk of injury in the event of an emergency in which a prompt exit from the vehicle is required.
If you are wondering if this recall is joined to the recent Graco and Evenflo recalls, it is. During their investigation NHTSA determined that Signature, QT harness buckles (“subject buckles”) on certain Graco model years 2009-2013 child restraints, when engaged, may not easily unlatch. While the seats manufactured by BabyTrends may not have used the same production lot of buckles alleged to have been involved with the Graco seat recalls, the same AmSafe buckle model is involved.
BabyTrend has been monitoring the performance of the buckles on the subject of child restraints since the announcement by Graco. Out of an abundance of caution, they also stopped shipping seats that used the same buckles pending further investigation.
While BabyTrend has not experienced the same nature of severity of complaints related to the use of the buckles they submitted the 573 Defect and Noncompliance Report, and are recalling the seats in their product line that use the closures.
Baby Trend will notify registered owners and will provide replacement buckles when they become available. The manufacturer has not yet provided the agency with a notification schedule or buckle availability schedule. Owners may contact Baby Trend at 1-800-328-7363 or visit their website at www.babytrend.com.
