Is your car seat still safe?

Check expiry dates, recall status, and get a clear answer in seconds. Built for parents, grandparents, and anyone who carries a child.

Car Seat Safety Checker

Brand Pick the brand printed on the seat or box.

Model (optional)

Manufacture Date Find this on the white sticker on the back or bottom of the seat.

Has this seat been in a crash?

No Yes Not sure

Seat Type

Fill in the form and press Check Safety Status to see results here.

Understanding Car Seat Expiry

Why seats expire

Plastic becomes brittle with heat, cold, and UV exposure over time. Foam compresses. Safety standards improve. Manufacturers only test their seats for a set window of years. After that window, the seat may not protect your child the way it was designed to.

Typical expiry periods

Most seats expire 6 to 10 years after manufacture. Infant seats are often 6 to 7 years. Convertible and all-in-one seats are often 8 to 10 years. Booster seats vary. Always check the sticker on your specific seat because the exact date depends on the model.

After a crash

Most manufacturers require replacement after any moderate or severe crash. Some allow reuse after a minor crash (vehicle drivable, no injuries, no airbags, no damage near the seat). When in doubt, replace the seat. Your child's safety is worth more than the cost of a new seat.

Outgrown vs. expired

These are two different things. A child outgrows a seat when they exceed the height or weight limit. A seat expires based on time. Either one means it is time for the next seat. Check both regularly.

Expiry Periods by Brand

These are general guidelines. Always verify with the sticker on your seat or the manufacturer's website.

Brand	Infant Seats	Convertible Seats	Booster Seats
Britax	6 years	7–10 years	6–10 years
Graco	7–10 years	7–10 years	10 years
Chicco	6 years	6–10 years	6–8 years
Evenflo	6 years	6–10 years	6–8 years
Diono	8–10 years	8–10 years	8–10 years
Clek	9 years	9 years	9 years
Nuna	7 years	7–10 years	10 years
Cybex	6 years	6–8 years	8 years
Maxi-Cosi	6–10 years	6–10 years	10 years

Recall Red Flags

What is a recall?

A recall means the manufacturer or a safety agency found a defect that could affect safety. The fix might be a free repair kit, a replacement part, or a full seat replacement. Never ignore a recall notice.

How to check

In the US, visit NHTSA.gov/recalls and enter your seat's model number and manufacture date. In Canada, check tc.canada.ca. You can also call the manufacturer's customer service line with your seat's details.

Common recall reasons

Harness buckle that sticks or releases unexpectedly
Chest clip that breaks or opens too easily
Handle that unlocks during a crash
Base that does not lock securely to the shell
Labels or instructions missing or incorrect

What to do if recalled

Stop using the seat if the recall says to. Contact the manufacturer for the fix. If they offer a replacement, take it. If the fix is a small part, install it exactly as instructed before using the seat again.

Secondhand Seat Buying Checklist

Buying a used car seat can save money, but only if you can confirm it is safe. Go through every item on this list before you hand over any cash.

Must Confirm

Manufacture date — Is it within the expiry period?
Recall status — Has it been recalled? Was the fix done?
Crash history — Has it ever been in a crash? If yes, walk away.
All parts present — Harness, chest clip, buckle, base, manual, labels.
Model number — Can you look it up to verify details?

Nice to Have

Original manual — Or a downloadable PDF from the brand's site.
Clean condition — No mold, strong chemical smells, or frayed straps.
Known history — Bought from a trusted person who stored it indoors.
Expiration sticker readable — Not peeled off or faded.

Walk Away If

The seller will not let you check the manufacture date.
Parts are missing or the harness is cut or frayed.
The seat was in any kind of crash.
It is more than 6 years old and you cannot confirm the brand's expiry period.
The model has an open recall with no fix available.

Common Scenarios

Grandma has a seat from 2018. Is it still safe?

It depends on the brand and model. Many infant seats from 2018 are now expired or close to expiry. Check the manufacture date sticker. If it says 2017 or earlier, it is likely expired. If it says 2018, some brands are still within range. Use the checker above to find out.

I found a free seat on a neighborhood group. Should I take it?

Only if you can verify the date, recall status, and crash history. A free seat that is expired or recalled is not a bargain. It is a risk. If the owner cannot tell you the manufacture date, it is better to pass.

My seat was in a minor fender bender. Do I need a new one?

Check the manufacturer's crash replacement policy. Most say to replace after any crash where the vehicle could not be driven away, someone was injured, airbags deployed, or the door nearest the seat was damaged. If your crash was truly minor and none of those apply, some brands allow reuse. Read the manual or call the company.

My child is still within the weight limit but the seat is expired.

Replace the seat. Expiry and weight limits are separate rules. An expired seat is not safe even if your child fits. The materials have aged beyond the tested window.

I lost the manual. Can I still check expiry?

Yes. The manufacture date sticker is on the seat itself, usually on the back or bottom. You can also search the brand's website for your model number to find the expiry period and a PDF of the manual.

Questions Parents Ask

Where do I find the manufacture date on my car seat?: Look for a white sticker on the back or bottom of the seat. It usually says "Manufactured on" or "Date of Manufacture" followed by a date. Some brands mold the date into the plastic shell instead.
Can I use a car seat past its expiry date?: No. After the expiry date, the manufacturer has not tested the seat for crash safety. Materials may have weakened. Most childcare centers and insurance companies will not allow expired seats.
Do all car seats expire?: Yes. Every car seat sold in North America has an expiry date, usually 6 to 10 years from the date of manufacture. The exact period depends on the brand and model.
Should I buy a used car seat?: Only if you can confirm the expiry date, recall status, and crash history. If any of those are unknown, it is safer to buy new. A used seat that was in a crash may look fine but could fail in the next one.
What counts as a crash for replacement purposes?: Most manufacturers say to replace a seat after any crash where the vehicle could not be driven away, anyone was injured, airbags deployed, or there was damage to the door nearest the seat. When in doubt, replace it.
How do I dispose of an expired car seat?: Remove the fabric cover and harness straps. Write "EXPIRED" or "DO NOT USE" on the shell with a marker. Take it to a recycling center if your area accepts car seats. Do not donate or sell an expired seat.

A Note on This Checker

SeatSafe uses published manufacturer guidelines and publicly available safety data. It is a starting point, not a replacement for checking the sticker on your actual seat or contacting the manufacturer directly. Recall data shown here is a representative sample. For a complete recall check, visit your country's transport safety website (NHTSA.gov in the US, tc.canada.ca in Canada).

Last updated: January 2026 · Version 1.0