Non-compliant Car Seats: How to Spot Them and Why You Shouldn’t Use Them

A flood of non-compliant car seats has appeared for sale online, and it can be challenging for parents to know which seats are safe. While car seats used in the U.S. must meet Federal Motor Vehicle Standard (FMVSS) 213, there is no law prohibiting the sale of non-compliant seats.

There are several types of non-compliant seats:

• Counterfeit: Seats that look very similar to a safe car seat but are “knockoffs.” It’s one thing to buy a knockoff purse – it’s a whole other thing when it’s a device meant to keep your child safe.
• Unregulated: Seats that do not meet FMVSS 213, or any other safety standard.
• Meeting foreign standards: Seats that may meet the safety standards of another country or region, such as the EU, but are not compliant for use in the U.S.

The biggest risk of using a non-compliant car seat is that it may not work well in a crash, and your child may get injured as a result. Also, the seat may not meet other safety standards, like those regarding flammability, lead content, or entrapment and strangulation risks. 

So how can you know you’re buying a legitimate, safe car seat for your child?

• Purchase from a known seller and brand.If you don’t recognize the website, it may be better to buy from somewhere else. You can also verify the make and model through AAP’s annual car seat product listing. Just be aware that manufacturers may introduce new models throughout the year.
• Beware of deals that seem “too good to be true.” Be wary of finding the $500 car seat you’ve had your eye on selling for $300 – check to make sure it’s the exact same seat, with the same manufacturer and labeling, and not a knockoff.

Study the harness. Car seats in the U.S. are made with a chest clip and webbing (straps) that are a standard width and a similar texture to a seat belt – if the chest clip is missing or the straps are too thin/wide or a different texture, it may not be compliant. Additionally, be sure that the seat has a 5-point harness: two shoulder straps, two hip straps, and a buckle strap that goes between the child’s legs. If a seat only has a three-point harness (two shoulder straps and a buckle strap between the legs), it is most likely a non-compliant seat

Can You Spot the Difference?

Non-complaint car seat	Compliant car seat
Three-point harness (no hip straps) Missing chest clip Webbing is thinner than typical car seats	Five-point harness (shoulders, hips, and buckle) Chest clip present Webbing is a standard width and texture

• Look for labels and required wording.
  • All seats that are compliant with FMVSS 213 have the phrase “This Restraint is Certified for Use in Motor Vehicles” or “This Restraint is Certified For Use in Motor Vehicles and Aircraft”. This is typically in small red wording on the side of the car seat.
  • Federal standards also require many details to be on the labels – if the label looks “off,” the car seat may not be compliant with federal standards. 
  • All seats must have English labeling, and some may also have Spanish or French, but other languages are rare. 
  • Check the wording. Non-approved seats may contain grammatical errors, such as “NEVER left child unattended” or odd terms, like “baby holding basket”
  • Car seats also have a label with the model number and manufacture date. Non-compliant seats lack many of these labels.
• Only buy car seats new. Car seats come in a range of prices. If you can’t afford a car seat, most communities have distribution programs offering seats at a reduced cost or for free. Ask your child’s doctor, your local community center, or religious leaders for help finding these resources

If you have questions about buying or installing a car seat, ask your friendly neighborhood certified child passenger safety technician (CPST)! Many fire and police stations, city offices, and children’s hospitals have at least one person on staff who you can make an appointment with to answer questions or check your installation. Find one near you using this resource from Safe Kids.

And remember, just like it’s important to purchase your seat from a reputable brand, it’s also important to use only the components approved by that particular manufacturer. That pink fluffy headrest may be cute, but it is not approved for use by the manufacturer and could cause problems for your baby in a crash. Stick to what comes in the box, and you’ll be all right!

Learn more about moving your child from a rear- to forward-facing seat, using a car seat during the winter, and booster seats.