Attorney at Graves McLain Injury Lawyers
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Medical Malpractice, Vaccine Injuries
When parents buy a car seat, they expect it to keep their children safe in the event of a crash. But some products fall short of that promise — and when they do, the consequences can be severe. That’s the case with more than 173,000 Recaro child car seats that were recalled due to a design defect that may increase the risk of serious injury.
If your child used a Recaro ProRide or Performance Ride seat made before June 9, 2015, it’s essential to understand the recall, its risks, and what legal options may be available if an injury occurs. This guide explains the recall, shares key safety tips for parents, and outlines what families in Tulsa can do if a defective car seat has caused harm.
In 2015, Recaro Child Safety, LLC issued a recall affecting over 173,000 child safety seats. The recall applies to two popular models: the ProRide and Performance Ride. These seats were manufactured before June 9, 2015.
The issue lies in the seat’s plastic shell. During crash testing, it was discovered that the inner shell where the child sits could crack and detach from the outer shell. If that happens in a real accident, the child could be ejected and seriously hurt or even killed.
More than 173,000 Recaro child safety seats have been recalled due to a defect that may cause the seat to detach from its base during a crash, increasing the risk of ejection and injury.
This recall was classified under NHTSA Campaign Number 15C006000. It’s a voluntary recall, but the risk it addresses is very real.
Car seats are among the most essential tools for protecting children in crashes. When a product designed to prevent injury turns out to be unsafe, it puts families in a difficult position.
Recaro’s ProRide and Performance Ride seats were popular among parents who trusted the brand. But trust doesn’t eliminate risk — and in cases like this, it can lead to serious consequences.
According to the CDC, car seats reduce the risk of death by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers when used properly.
Parents rely on manufacturers to follow strict safety standards. A failure in design or materials that leads to a recall may form the basis for a legal claim if an injury occurs.
Under Oklahoma law, manufacturers can be held strictly liable if a defective product causes injury—even without proof of negligence. If a car seat is flawed in design, labeling, or manufacturing, and a child is hurt while using it correctly, families may be eligible for compensation. The deadline to file a claim is typically two years from the date of injury, so early legal advice is essential.
Proper use is critical, even with a safe and functional car seat. Many parents unknowingly misuse car seats, which can put their child at risk—even without a defect.
Standard safety practices include:
shoulder belt across the chest. Registering your car seat is another crucial step. It ensures you’ll be notified directly by the manufacturer if a recall is issued.
A study found that over 70% of car and booster seats are misused or improperly installed, increasing the risk of injury.
Safety Factor | Statistic |
| Recaro Seats Recalled | 173,000+ units |
| Manufacture Date Range | Before June 9, 2015 |
| Injury Risk: Improper Installation | 72% of seats misused or installed incorrectly |
| Risk Reduction (Infants) | 71% decrease in fatal injury |
| Risk Reduction (Toddlers) | 54% decrease in fatal injury |
| Children Riding Unrestrained (CDC) | 618,000+ annually |
If your child was injured in a crash and a defective car seat may be involved, take these key steps:
Check the model name and manufacturing date on the label. Visit the NHTSA recall database or Recaro’s website to verify if your seat is part of the recall.
Seek medical attention, preserve the seat as evidence, and speak with a lawyer. Your family may be entitled to compensation if the seat’s defect contributed to the injury.
Yes, if the seat was defective and directly caused your child’s injuries, you may have grounds to pursue a product liability claim under Oklahoma law.
Registration is not required by law but is strongly recommended. It allows you to receive important safety alerts and recall notices directly from the manufacturer.
You must show that the product was defective, that the defect was present when it left the factory, and that the defect caused harm while the product was being used as intended.
In most cases, the deadline is two years from the date of the injury. It’s best to speak with a lawyer early to avoid missing this window.
Car seats are among the most crucial safety devices parents use every day. But when a seat is defective—like the Recaro ProRide or Performance Ride models—it can cause more harm than good. This recall is a solemn reminder of why product safety matters.
If your family has been affected by a defective child car seat, don’t try to handle the situation alone. Graves McLain Injury Lawyers has experience holding manufacturers accountable and can guide you through your legal options with care and clarity.
Protecting your child’s rights is just as important as protecting their safety on the road. Let us help you do both.
When injury victims need a law firm with a reputation for excellence, turn to Graves McLain Injury Lawyers. We are a top-rated personal injury firm determined to be the best. With decades of award-winning representation, our clients recover the compensation they need to put their lives back together.
