CHICCO USA, INC. IS RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 18,000 BASES USED IN KEYFIT AND KEYFIT 30 REAR-FACING CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS AND IN CORTINA TRAVEL SYSTEMS, AND STAND-ALONE BASES FOR THESE SYSTEMS PURCHASED SEPARATELY, THAT WERE MANUFACTURED BETWEEN FEBRUARY 26 AND MARCH 17, 2008. SOME OF THESE BASES HAVE A DEFECT THAT CAN PREVENT THE BASE FROM BEING TIGHTLY SECURED TO A VEHICLE WHEN THE LOWER LATCH ATTACHMENTS ARE USED AS A METHOD OF INSTALLATION. SPECIFICALLY, WHEN A DEFECTIVE BASE IS INSTALLED WITH THE LOWER LATCH ATTACHMENT STRAPS, THE WEBBING USED TO TIGHTEN THE BASE TO THE VEHICLE SEAT CAN SLIP THROUGH THE ADJUSTMENT LOCK.
IF THE WEBBING WERE TO SLIP DURING A VEHICLE CRASH, THE BASE COULD MOVE, POSSIBLY INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
CHICCO WILL NOTIFY ALL OWNERS OF THE BASES MANUFACTURED DURING THE COVERED PERIOD OF THE DEFECT AND PROVIDE A FREE REPLACEMENT BASE. TO ENSURE THAT THE AFFECTED UNITS ARE REMOVED FROM USE, CHICCO WILL REQUEST THE CONSUMER TO CUT THE LOWER LATCH CONNECTORS FROM THE BASE AND RETURN THEM TO CHICCO IN A PRE-PAID ENVELOPE. CHICCO WILL THEN SEND THE CONSUMER A REPLACEMENT BASE. CAREGIVERS ARE BEING ADVISED THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE TO USE THE OLD BASE WITH THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY BELTS UNTIL THEY RECEIVE A REPLACEMENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 3, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHICCO TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-807-8817.
CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.