Joie car seat recalled following crash test failure

UPDATE: The ACCC has announced the Joie i-Travvel Car Seat – Model numbers C1209BANOR600 or C1209BATBK600 – has been recalled after testing of the product has identified safety concerns.

“In the event of an accident, the harness anchor point may detach from the frame of the car seat,” says the website.

“If the harness anchor point detaches, the child may not be adequately restrained, which may result in serious injury to the child.”

What should consumers do?

EARLIER: 

News that the Joie I-Travvel Car Seat failed a crash test by independent non-profit Child Restraint Evaluation Program (CREP) has shocked parents.

Sharing their concerns on Facebook, Tell Me Baby parents had lots of questions – mainly about what to do next.

“I have this exact car seat! Bought approx 7 months ago. What the hell do I do?” wrote one parent.

Another wrote: “This should not happen in Australia – this car seat should be recalled and fully refunded.”

So will the Joie I-Travvel be recalled? Here’s what we know so far.

Earlier today, Joie released a statement saying they take consumer safety very seriously.

“We understand how concerning the recent media reporting must be for you as a parent, and we here at Joie also take it very seriously as consumer safety is our first priority,” the statement said.

However, the company maintains that the i-Travvel meets Australia and New Zealand safety standards, “which are among the most stringent in the world. Whereas, the recent CREP tests evaluate child restraint seats under conditions outside the AU/NZS 1754 standard.

“That said, we are deeply troubled by the CREP result and are thoroughly reviewing the results as a matter of urgency to understand fully, as well as working with the ACCC to determine next steps. We will provide an update with details on those steps within the next 1-2 days.”

Alternatively, the statement says if you are still concerned, you can return your car seat to where it was purchased for a store credit.

Why CREP tests under conditions outside the standards

Car seats are tested at 49km/h to meet Australia and New Zealand safety standards – a speed CREP doesn’t think represents real life.

A report found online says, “In past CREP assessments, two frontal impacts were conducted, one at the same severity as the Australian Standard (49km/h, 20g), and one at a higher severity of 56km/h and 34g.

But after reviewing the results, they found “no worthwhile information was being gained from the lower severity frontal impact test. As a consequence, the 49km/hr test has been dropped, and all restraints, including booster seats, are now subjected to the 56km/h test with a 34g pulse.”

Watch the crash test

In case you missed it

In the first time in more than 25 years, a dummy was ejected from the $629 Joie I-Travvel Car Seat during a crash test.

During the test, the restraint was released in a crash at 56km/h, causing the dummy to fly through the air. The results lead to CREP reworking their protocol so that a zero rating can be given.

Here’s what happened:

• Joie I-Travvel Car Seat failed CREP car seat testing.

• The crash test dummy was ejected at a crash at 56km/h.

• Joie I-Travvel Car Seat failed the test when the seat was in ISOFIX forward-facing mode. ISOFIX is another way to secure the seat to the car, without using a seatbelt.

• When secured by a seatbelt, the Joie I-Travvel scored one star in the same forward-facing mode.

• When the seat was rear-facing recommended for babies six-months and under – it scored four stars in the CREP testing.

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