Graco has included more than 400,000 child seats to its February recall of 3.8 million to replace faulty harness buckles.  Graco is currently in a dispute with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration because NHTSA wants Graco to add 1.8 million infant seats to the recall because they have the same buckles.  Graco is disputing NHTSA request for the additional seats to be added to the recall because they state the other seats are used differently than the toddler seats, and because in an emergency, an adult can remove the whole seat from the car rather than unlatch the buckle.
The following 403,222 seats have been added to the recall:  2006 through 2014 Argos 70 Elite, Ready Ride, Step 2, My Ride 65 with Safety Surround, My Size 70, Head Wise 70 with Safety Surround, Nautilus 3-in-1, Nautilus Plus, and Smart Seat with Safety Surround.  For the complete NHTSA update, click here.
Prior to the 403,222 seats being added, the recall was the fourth-largest child seat recall in U.S. history.
Fourth Largest Recall Ever: Graco Car Seats
3.7 million Graco child car seats harness buckles are being recalled because the buckles are difficult to unlatch or get stuck in the locked position, trapping children in their car seat. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that 11 of 18 models of car seat manufactured by Graco have been recalled. Graco is disputing the recall of the seven other car seat models it manufactures, despite NHTSA’s request for them to do so, all of which are infant seats. The NHTSA investigation will remain open for the remaining seven Graco infant car seat models pending NHTSA’s review of them. Currently, this is the fourth largest recall, but if the remaining seven infant car seat models are added, it will be the largest recall ever.
Graco has said that “part of the cause is due to food and dried liquids can make some harness buckles progressively more difficult to open over time or become stuck in the latched position.”
The recalled Graco toddler convertible car seats and harnessed booster seats were manufactured from January 2009 to July 2013. The 11 specific recalled models are:  Toddler Convertible Car Seats:  Cozy Cline, Comfort Sport, Classic Ride 50, My Ride 65, My Ride 65 with Safety Surround, My Ride 70, Size4Me 70, My Size 70, Head Wise 70 and Smart Seat. Harnessed Booster Seats: Nautilus 3-in-1, Nautilus Elite, and Argos.
The seven Graco infant car seat models that so far are not recalled are:  Snugride, Snugride 30, Snugride 32, Infant Safe Seat-Step 1, Snugride 35, Tuetonia 35, and Snugride Click Connect 40.
At no cost to the consumer, Graco will provide a new (improved) replacement harness buckle to its consumers who have purchased all 18 car seat models, even the seven infant car seats that have not yet been recalled. Consumers can obtain a replacement harness buckle by calling 800-345-4109 or emailing consumerservices@gracobaby.com .
Graco said that that parents/caregivers should continue using the car seats for their children until the replacement buckle is received and installed. However, NHTSA is encouraging parents/caregivers to consider acquiring and using an alternative car seat until the Graco car seat buckle is replaced. Terrell • Hogan supports NHTSA in this.
Replacement of the harness buckle is not an easy task and it must be done properly to assure your child’s safety.  Graco has done a video to assist you in accomplishing this.