Investigation PE96017: Vehicles

Status

CLOSED

Opened

Feb 29, 1996

Closed

Sep 11, 1996

Model years

—

Subject

Child safety seat base separation

Component: Child seat

Summary

The complaint reports allege that the seat separates from the base during side impact crashes.a total of 13 complaints have been reported.in most of these, the infant seat was installed into the back seat of the vehicle.there are 6 crashes with impacts to the right side, 4 to the left side, 1 with impacts to both right and left side, and 2 not reproted.the seats are labeled for infants weighting less than 20 lbs; the crash reports indicate that the weight of the infants ranged from 8 to 17 lbs.(3 reports did not provide the weight).the speed of the impacting vehicle was reproted in only 4 cases, speeds ranged from 15 to 55 mph.

An NHTSA investigation looks into whether a safety defect exists. Opening one is not a finding. Outcomes can include a recall, closure without action, or further inquiry.