Graco to Pay $10M Over Delayed Recall

Child seat manufacturer Graco is being fined for failing to promptly recall defective child seats. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that Graco will pay a $3 million fine and spend $7 million developing safety programs, all over issues with sticking buckles.

SEE ALSO: Graco Child Seat Recall Expands to 5.6 Million

Initially, Graco refused to recall the child seats, saying that the buckles were becoming stuck because children were spilling food and drinks on them. Parents were reporting having to cut straps to get their children out of the seats. NHTSA told Graco that the situation was foreseeable, and ordered the company to recall the seats. After a month of resistance, Graco eventually conceded.

The first reports of sticking buckles date back to 2009, info that prompted the NHTSA investigation that led to the fine. By 2012, Graco was telling parents how to properly clean the buckles, but still wouldn’t admit there was a safety issue.

Federal regulations require companies to them about safety issues within five business days of finding out.

[Source: NY Times]