Child seat: shield assembly (Evenflo)
Car seat recall 97C-020. NHTSA received EVENFLO COMPANY, INC.’s report on Jun 23, 1997.
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The short answer
NHTSA received EVENFLO COMPANY, INC.’s report on Jun 23, 1997. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 20, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THERE IS A RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: SIDEKICK CHILD BOOSTER SEATS, MODEL NOS. 244 MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 23, 1996 THROUGH MAY 20, 1997.
THESE SEATS DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 213, “CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS,” WHICH LIMITS HEAD INJURY CRITERIA.
IN RECENT TESTS ON SOME OF THESE BOOSTER SEATS, THE HEAD INJURY CRITERIA SCORED MORE THAN ALLOWED BY THIS STANDARD.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Child seat: shield assembly.
What should you do?
EVENFLO WILL REIMBURSE OWNERS EITHER COMPLETELY OR PARTIALLY DEPENDING ON WHETHER THE SEAT CAN BE USED BY THE OWNER’S CHILD. OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO USE THE SIDEKICK BOOSTER SEAT ONLY AS A BELT POSITIONER. WHEN USED AS A BELT POSITIONER, THE SIDEKICK MUST BE USED WITHOUT ITS FRONT SHIELD AND ONLY IN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A THREE POINT LAP/SHOULDER SEAT BELT SYSTEM.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: OWNER NOTIFICATION:OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 30, 1997.OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE A FREE RETROFIT KIT WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT EVENFLO AT 1-800-233-5921.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.( PREVIOUS RECALL NUMBER 97E020000)
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 35,856 seats potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
Who is recalling it?
- Made by EVENFLO COMPANY, INC..
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 20, 2026 and checked Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 20, 2026.