NHTSA Announces Safety Recall of Peg Perego Infant Child Seats

WASHINGTON, April 4 -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today announced a safety recall of certain Peg Perego infant child seats.

The recall involves 55,162 infant car seats produced from May 20, 2001, through Feb. 15, 2002. The models include Martinelli Primo Viaggio with base, Pliko Travel System, Primo Viaggio System, Atlantico System, and Atlantico Trek System SNG. The seats have a snap in the upholstery directly over the locking belt adjustment mechanism (A-Loc Adjuster). When the upholstery is attached by the snap to the cover of the A-Loc Adjuster, it may cause tension in the upholstery due to the weight of the child, which may prevent the complete engagement of the A-Loc Adjuster and allow some slippage in the harness restraints. In the event of a vehicle crash, the child may not be properly restrained.

Peg Perego is notifying its customers and providing instructions on how to remove the plastic cover. Removing the cover will allow the A-Loc Adjuster to function properly. Within 4 to 6 weeks customers will receive a new cover that can be simply snapped into place.

``Parents should follow the manufacturer's instructions for removing the plastic cover and then continue to use the child seat while waiting for the new snap cover,'' said Dr. Jeffrey Runge, NHTSA Administrator. ``Children should ride properly restrained in the back seat, every trip.''

NHTSA takes consumer complaints about child safety seats seriously. It energetically investigates questions concerning possible defects in child safety seats and requires that defects be remedied, when necessary, by manufacturers' recalls. Child safety seats are the most effective safety devices in cars when used properly, and NHTSA unequivocally promotes their use. Child safety seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for toddlers in passenger cars.

For more information, owners should call Peg Perego toll-free at 877-737-3468, visit http://www.perego.com or write to Peg Perego USA, Inc., 3625 Independence Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46808.

Consumers with questions about this or any other safety recall campaign should call NHTSA's toll-free Auto Safety Hotline, 888-327-4236.