Child seat: harness retainer/chest clip (Downunder)
Car seat safety improvement campaign 97X-001. NHTSA received DOWNUNDER DESIGN, INC.’s report on Feb 8, 1997.
- NHTSA: a safety improvement campaign, not a safety recall
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The short answer
NHTSA received DOWNUNDER DESIGN, INC.’s report on Feb 8, 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?
NHTSA files this as a safety improvement campaign, not a safety recall.
NHTSA’s records of these campaigns say each is “not a safety recall”, but is “deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency”. What’s wrong and the fix are below, in NHTSA’s words.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED CAUSING INCREASED RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573.
HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY.
THE SHOULDER BELTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY LOCATED WHEN THE CHILD IS PLACED IN THE RESTRAINT.
THE VELCRO SEAT BELT GUIDE ON THESE BOOSTER SEATS HELPS ACHIEVE SEAT BELT PLACEMENT IN ALL CASES.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Child seat: harness retainer/chest clip.
What should you do?
DOWNUNDER IS PROVIDING REVISED INSTRUCTIONS TO ALL OWNERS OF KANGAROO BOOSTERS TO HELP CLARIFY SHOULDER BELT PLACEMENT. FOR OWNERS OF KANGAROO BOOSTER MODEL #3 (MODELS WITHOUT THE VELCRO SHOULDER BELT POSITIONER), A VELCRO SHOULDER BELT POSITIONER WILL BE SENT TO UPGRADE THESE BOOSTERS.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: NOTE:DOWNUNDER HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN TO CLARIFY SHOULDER BELT PLACEMENT.OWNERS CAN CONTACT DOWNUNDER AT1-800-459-5209.
Which ones does it cover?
NHTSA counts 47,800 seats potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
Who is running it?
- Made by DOWNUNDER DESIGN, 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.