CR's testing prompts recall of Evenflo Maestro car seats

Today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that Evenflo is conducting a voluntary recall of 13,792 Evenflo Maestro Combination Booster Seats in the United States.  Another 4,479 units are being recalled in Canada. The recall includes Evenflo Maestro model numbers beginning with 310 that were manufactured through April of this year. 

The recall was issued after Consumer Reports' tests showed that the seat can crack and the harness can loosen in simulated 30-mph frontal crashes, which could leave a child inadequately restrained.  Failures occurred when the seat was tested in its five-point harness mode, though no problems were found when the seat was used as a booster-seat. Consumer Reports shared its test results with Evenflo, who worked with NHTSA to initiate the recall.  

Evenflo issued a press release announcing the recall this morning. The company advises owners of affected seats to contact Evenflo for a free reinforcement kit by calling 800-233-5921 in the U.S. or 800-265-0749 in Canada. Their website includes a video showing owners how to install the kit.

For more information or to see a video of our crash test results on the Evenflo Maestro, see our Babies & Kids Blog.