Combi recalls Avatar
Combi Avatar Model #
8100
Date: 4/14/05
Safety Recall Notice
Dear Combi Retailer:
This notice is sent to you in
accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle
Safety Act, governed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Combi USA, Inc. of Fort Mill, SC will conduct a voluntary recall of the Avatar
child restraints, which fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
213 (FMVSS 213) Child Restraint Systems. The recall includes the entire
production of this model through December 2003. No other models are affected.
What
Happened?
Our internal investigation into
the Consumer Reports article (May issue) has allowed us to determine a
non-compliance to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. When the Avatar was
dynamically tested with maximum weight in the rear facing use mode, wherein the
LATCH lower anchorage belt assembly could fail and separate. This event causes
the child restraint to fail to comply with the performance requirements of FMVSS
213. With this condition, there is the increased risk of injury. Even though
this is not necessarily the case with all models, we are recalling the entire
production.
Combi USA, Inc. has received
no reports of injuries or accidents to date regarding the Avatar.
What Action Should You
Take?
Combi urges that all retailers stop
selling the Avatar as required by the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety
Act. We
also encourage that you return all Avatars to Combi USA, Inc. Highway 160 West,
Suite 100 Fort Mill, SC 29708. You must contact the Combi Credit Department at
803 548 6633 X 241 to process the return. Please note on all associated
paperwork the Combi Recall Reference #
0405AVA-01.
What Action Will Combi Take?
Combi USA is currently working directly
with NHTSA on this issue. Combi is working on a free, easy to install retrofit
kit that we plan to distribute to consumers. We will update all retailers as
information and retrofit kits become available. In the meantime, Combi will
accept returns from unsatisfied consumers with regard to this recall.
Questions
Please
contact your Combi Representative if you have any questions.
If you have questions with regard to
returns contact our Credit Department at 803 548 6633 Ext. 241.
We apologize for this inconvenience, but
we’re taking this action in the interest of child passenger safety and the
continued growing foundation of your trust in our products.
Posted: Mon - April 18, 2005 at 10:35 AM