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Dorel Juvenile Group announced on August 27, 2021 that it is voluntarily recalling certain Maxi-Cosi Pria 70, Pria 85, and Pria 85 Max convertible child seats because when installed in the forward-facing position and secured to the vehicle using the lap belt without also using the top tether, the seat may not adequately protect the child from a head injury in the event of a crash. [1] The recall affects 83,000 seats manufactured between January 1, 2019 and August 17, 2021 that fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 for child restraint systems. [2] [3]
FMVSS 213 Violations
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 establishes performance requirements for child restraint systems to protect children in motor vehicle crashes. NHTSA conducts regulatory crash tests on bench seats using only lap belts without three-point shoulder belts and without top tether straps connected.
The Maxi-Cosi Pria seats failed these regulatory crash tests by not properly restraining test dummies representing children weighing 65 pounds or more. The test dummy’s head contacted the vehicle interior during crash scenarios, demonstrating inadequate head injury protection and noncompliance with federal safety standards.
Affected Car Seat Models
The recall includes Pria 70, Pria 85, and Pria 85 Max convertible car seats manufactured from January 1, 2019 through August 17, 2021. Affected model numbers include: CC121BIW, CC121BIZ, CC121CTD, CC121CTF, CC133BGW, CC133BWI, CC133BWJI, CC133DCHI, CC133DCN, CC156DKKI, CC156DKLI, CC156DKNI, CC156DKOI, CC156DKPI, CC156DXA, CC156DXB, CC156DXC, CC156DXFI, CC182DZU, CC183CKK, CC183CKN, CC183CKNI, CC183DTBI, CC191RZJ, CC201EMJ, CC201FZA, CC201FZD, CC212EMP, CC212EMQ, CC212EMR, CC212ESR, CC212ETL, CC213EMJ, CC217EMO, CC221ETD.
The recall does not affect Maxi-Cosi Pria 3-in-1 models (CC208) or Pria All-in-One models (CC244). No Canadian-sold Pria seats are included in the recall, and the affected seats were only distributed in the United States.
Head Injury Risks
When Pria seats are installed forward-facing using lap belts without top tether straps, children weighing 65 pounds or more can suffer head injuries during crashes. The child’s head can contact vehicle interiors including seats, windows, or dashboard components, causing traumatic brain injuries, skull fractures, concussions, and facial trauma.
Distribution and Sales
Dorel sold the recalled car seats at major retailers including Buy Buy Baby, Amazon, Albee Baby Carriage, Nordstrom, Target, Pishposh Baby, Babinski’s Baby, Baby Central, Baby Love It Inc., Walmart, and various other stores. The seats were sold both in physical retail locations and online from 2019 through August 2021.
Remedy Provisions
Dorel agreed with NHTSA on a remedy that reduces the forward-facing internal harness weight and height limit to 65 pounds or 49 inches. The company sends labels and updated manuals automatically to registered consumers and to others who contact customer service.
For consumers needing car seats rated above 65 pounds or 49 inches, Dorel offers a free Maxi-Cosi RodiSport Booster seat. The RodiSport accommodates children 43-57 inches tall weighing 40-100 pounds and features high back and backless modes with optional lower anchor attachment.
Model Discontinued
Dorel discontinued the Pria 70, Pria 85, and Pria 85 Max models and will not offer updated versions for purchase. Consumers who registered their car seats received recall notification letters by mail or email with instructions for obtaining remedy kits.
No Injuries Reported
Dorel states no injuries or incidents have been reported related to the defect as of the recall announcement. However, the lack of reported injuries does not eliminate liability for manufacturing and selling car seats that violate federal safety standards and fail to adequately protect children.
Top Tether Importance
Consumer Reports’ child safety engineer Emily Thomas emphasized that the recall reminds parents to always use top tether straps with forward-facing car seats. Top tethers effectively prevent forward movement of children and car seats during crashes, providing critical additional protection beyond lap belt or LATCH anchor installation alone.
Design and Testing Defects
The Pria seats’ failure to pass NHTSA regulatory crash tests demonstrates fundamental design defects in the restraint system. Dorel designed, manufactured, and sold car seats incapable of meeting federal safety standards when tested using lap belt installation without top tethers, despite these being standard regulatory test conditions.
Legal Claims
Strict products liability claims allege Dorel manufactured and sold defective car seats that fail to adequately protect children from head injuries during forward-facing crashes. Design defect claims assert the restraint system is inherently flawed and incapable of meeting Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 requirements.
Negligence claims allege Dorel breached its duty to design, test, and manufacture car seats that comply with federal safety standards before distribution. Failure to warn claims assert Dorel failed to adequately warn consumers that seats require top tether use to provide adequate head injury protection for children over 65 pounds.
Breach of Warranty
Implied warranty of merchantability claims assert car seats that violate federal safety standards and fail crash tests are not fit for their ordinary purpose of safely protecting children in motor vehicles. Express warranty claims may arise from Dorel’s representations that Pria seats meet federal safety requirements and provide adequate crash protection.
Economic Loss Claims
Consumers who purchased recalled Pria seats suffered economic losses from buying defective products that fail to meet federal safety standards. Even with reduced weight limits and booster seat exchanges, families incurred costs for replacement car seats meeting their children’s actual size and safety needs.
Diminished Value
Pria car seats subject to safety recalls and weight limit reductions suffer diminished resale value. Parents cannot sell or donate seats carrying federal safety violation histories, leaving families with worthless products that cannot be safely used or transferred.
Contact an Attorney
If you purchased a recalled Maxi-Cosi Pria 70, Pria 85, or Pria 85 Max car seat, or your child was injured while using one of these seats, contact a product liability attorney. Preserve the car seat, purchase receipts, registration records, and all communications with Dorel regarding the recall.
References
1. https://maxicosi.com/pages/dorel-juvenile-voluntary-recall-certain-maxi-cosi-pria-85-convertible-child-seats
2. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2021/RCONL-21C004-9047.pdf
3. https://www.consumerreports.org/recalls/maxi-cosi-pria-85-convertible-child-car-seat-is-recalled-a4921973241/