I HAVE A CENTURY CARSEAT, MODEL 4387LHT, MFG DATE 010697, THAT HAS A BUCKLE THAT SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. IT WOULD NO LONGER BUCKLE CLOSED. UPON CALLING CENTURY PRODUCTS I WAS TOLD THAT OFTEN KIDS STICK FOREIGN ITEMS IN THE HOLE WHERE THE BUCKLE IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. I CAN ABSOLUTELY GUARANTEE THIS DID NOT HAPPEN AND IT I…
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I HAVE A CENTURY CARSEAT, MODEL 4387LHT, MFG DATE 010697, THAT HAS A BUCKLE THAT SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. IT WOULD NO LONGER BUCKLE CLOSED. UPON CALLING CENTURY PRODUCTS I WAS TOLD THAT OFTEN KIDS STICK FOREIGN ITEMS IN THE HOLE WHERE THE BUCKLE IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. I CAN ABSOLUTELY GUARANTEE THIS DID NOT HAPPEN AND IT IS A DEFECT IN THE PRODUCT. CENTURY PRODUCTS DID NOT WANT THE CARSEAT SENT BACK TO THEM TO INVESTIGATE. I STILL HAVE THE CARSEAT BUT OBVIOUSLY AM NOT USING IT. I BELIEVE THIS NEEDS WARRENTS SOME TYPE OF FURTHER INVESTIGATION SINCE CENTURY HAS RECALLED OTHER MODEL CARSEATS FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM.
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2
EA95006 · Takata Seat Belt Buckle Failure
Opened Mar 10, 1995 · Closed Aug 2, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
There is no summary currently available
PE92087 · Seat Blt LOCKS-STOW Posit.
Opened Dec 2, 1992 · Closed Apr 27, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
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