Investigations
CARRY HANDLE SCREWS FALL OUT
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE06031 - closed, opened 2006-08-17.
NHTSA investigation PE06031 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2006-08-17 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2006-11-27 - NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Preliminary Evaluation like PE06031 is the entry point of the federal defect-investigation process. NHTSA engineers scan complaint databases, field reports, and manufacturer data to decide whether an Engineering Analysis is warranted, whether a voluntary recall is already sufficient, or whether the pattern does not rise to a defect finding.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "THE "COMFORT" INFANT CAR SEAT IS A REAR FACING CAR SEAT DESIGNED FOR INFANT CHILDREN. IT IS EQUIPPED WITH A CARRY HANDLE AND MAY BE USED OUTSIDE OF A VEHICLE AS AN INFANT CARRIER. THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON C..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time.
Investigation Summary
THE "COMFORT" INFANT CAR SEAT IS A REAR FACING CAR SEAT DESIGNED FOR INFANT CHILDREN. IT IS EQUIPPED WITH A CARRY HANDLE AND MAY BE USED OUTSIDE OF A VEHICLE AS AN INFANT CARRIER. THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS TO ODI. THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE SCREWS USED TO ATTACH THE HAND GRIP TRIM TO THE CARRY HANDLE WERE LOOSENING AND FALLING INTO THE INFANT CARRIER. THE DOREL JUVENILE GROUP (DOREL) FILED A DEFECT REPORT WITH THE AGENCY ON NOVEMBER 17, 2006 AND WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL ON 67,276 SUBJECT ALPHA ELITE AND EDDIE BAUER MODEL COMFORT REAR FACING INFANT CAR SEATS. THESE SEATS WERE PRODUCED FROM THE START OF PRODUCTION (JULY 26, 2005) THROUGH FEBRUARY 28, 2006. SEATS PRODUCED AFTER FEBRUARY 28, 2006 UTILIZED A NEW SCREW OF DIFFERENT SIZE AND TYPE TO ATTACH THE HAND GRIP TRIM AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. DOREL WILL PROVIDE FREE OF CHARGE A REPAIR KIT THAT INCLUDES A SCREW DRIVER AND SIX NEW SCREWS. PLEASE SEE SAFETY RECALL NUMBER 06C-005 FOR MORE DETAILS.
About This Investigation Type
A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first phase of NHTSA's investigation process. It is opened when the agency identifies a potential safety defect pattern, usually triggered by consumer complaints, manufacturer reports, or field monitoring. During a PE, NHTSA gathers information to determine whether a formal engineering analysis is warranted.
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. about how PlainCars sources NHTSA data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.