This report has been retracted by Consumer Reports. See this story for more information.
Consumer Reports has tested major brands of infant car seats and found that most of them failed their tests. In their crash tests, they used a higher speed than that required by the government for testing and approving car seats (30-mph frontal crash); however, they used a standard speed used in government safety tests for cars (35-mph frontal, 38-mph side).
Not only did the seats fail at those slightly higher speeds, many of the seats dislodged from the base and went flying across the car or twisted violently. Also concerning is the fact that those using the new LATCH system did worse than those using the seat belts.
Some of the seats formerly ranked highest by Consumer Reports failed. The only seats to pass all their tests were the Baby Trend Flex-Loc and the Graco SungRide with EPS. Several other seats listed in their report passed with safety belts but not with the LATCH system. The Evenflo Discovery, Graco SafeSeat, and Britax Companion failed every test in every configuration.
Consumer Reports has a history of reliable, non-biased reporting and excellent independent testing, so these results are likely accurate. The American Academy of Pediatrics is examining the report, and there is a link to their initial statement below. Consumer Reports has also given the report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
What should you do? First, remember that any seat is far safer than no seat. Use the seat you have at all times. Consider using the seat belts instead of the LATCH system, especially if you have one of the seats that passed by using seat belts. Consider replacing your seat if you own one that failed all the tests. If you are buying a seat, for now I advise buying one of the two that passed the tests.
Links
Consumer Reports Infant Car Seats Report
American Academy of Pediatrics Initial Statement
