June 11, 2025, 10:10 a.m.
Counterfeit car seats are on the rise. To protect your child, follow these suggestions to avoid accidentally purchasing an imitation car seat.
- Look for a white safety label: Car seats should always have a white label with black and red lettering that will confirm it is a federal motor vehicle safety standard tested seat. There will also be a date of manufacture sticker that includes the model name, serial number, and date of manufacture. Finally, there should be labels indicating how to use your car seat.
- Find the recall registration card and instruction manual: Car seats should always include a clearly written manual and a recall registration card that states the manufacturer’s name and contact information. If they’re missing, that’s a sign of a counterfeit car seat.
- Look for a chest clip: In the U.S., every car seat with a harness includes a chest clip. If your seat is missing a chest clip or if the harness looks flimsy, it’s likely counterfeit.
- Avoid buying from third-party sites: Be wary of third-party sellers on sites like Amazon or Walmart. Never buy from Temu, TikTok Shop, or Wish. Always purchase a car seat from the website of a trusted manufacturer.
- What to do if you’ve purchased a counterfeit car seat. First, stop using it immediately because it is not safe and will not hold up in a car crash. Secondly, report your counterfeit seat to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association at nhtsa.gov.
- Interested in more information about car seat safety? Call Safety Stop at 314-565-0369 to ask a question, or schedule an appointment with a child passenger safety technician.
