Once your child has hit the maximum height or weight for her current car seat (whichever comes first), it’s time for a new one. A seat that’s too small won’t adequately protect her in the event of a crash.
But that’s not the only reason why you might need to swap out her seat at some point or another. You may also need to upgrade or replace a car seat if it's expired, has been recalled, is damaged or has been in a crash. Or, perhaps you simply don't like your current car seat!
A car seat is one of the most important pieces of baby and toddler gear you'll own, so if yours doesn't work for your family and lifestyle, trying something different could make car trips a little easier. Whatever the reason, when the day comes to upgrade your model, you'll have to decide what to do with your child's old car seat.
What should you do with an old or expired car seat?
Finding a new home for items like baby clothes and toys is pretty easy. (The real problem is carving out the time to round everything up!) But getting rid of a used car seat safely and responsibly isn’t usually as simple as dropping it in a donation bin or leaving it on the curb with the trash. Here's a look at your options.
Find a car seat trade-in program
Some big-box stores like Target will take an old car seat off your hands and, in exchange, offer gift cards or store credit towards a new car seat or other baby gear.
These programs only run periodically, so check the store's website or call your local outpost to find out when the next trade-in event is happening.
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Recycle it
Some city recycling programs and local recycling plants accept used or expired car seats, but call to confirm before dropping yours off. If your seat is recyclable, you'll likely have to take the seat cover and harness off to make it easier for the plant to dismantle the plastic and metal pieces.
Car seats not recyclable in your area? Mail-in programs are another option. You can order a car seat recycling kit from CarSeatRecycling.com, or try TerraCycle's Baby Gear Zero Waste Box, which allows parents to send in a box filled with used baby gear items for recycling, including car seats. In both cases, you'll have to pay to receive a recycling kit and have the car seat shipped out.
Trash it, if necessary
When recycling isn't feasible, you'll need to take steps to ensure that an expired or unsafe car seat isn't usable if it's pulled out of the trash. There's no one right way to do this, but ultimately, your goal should be to dismantle the car seat to the point where a baby or child couldn’t ride in it.
Take out the seat cover, cut off the straps or even use a hammer to smash the seat shell. (It could be a fun stress reliever!) Use a permanent marker to write "DO NOT USE," "EXPIRED" or something along those lines to indicate that the seat should be off limits.
It might seem a little extreme, but it's worth making sure that a baby or toddler doesn't end up in an unsafe seat.
What should you do with a car seat that's been in an accident?
If your car seat has been in a crash, you should get rid of it. Moderate and severe crashes can damage the structure and integrity of a car seat, meaning it may not provide enough protection in the event of another crash.
Seats that have been in a minor crash — you could drive the car away, no one was injured, the airbags didn't go off, the door closest to the car seat wasn't damaged and there was no visible damage to the car seat — may still be usable, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).[1]
Some manufacturers still recommend swapping out your car seat after a minor accident. You can always ask a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) if you're unsure about what to do with yours.
Can you get insurance to replace a car seat after an accident?
Most car seat manufacturers do not include accident replacement in their warranties, but luckily many auto insurance companies will front the cost for a new seat after a crash.
What's covered may depend on where you live. For instance, California's car seat accident replacement law applies even if your child wasn't in the car during the time of the accident.
Does a car seat need to be replaced after an accident if it was empty?
Yes, because there could still be damage to the car seat. Unfortunately, not all states require insurers to pay for a replacement if the car seat wasn't occupied at the time of the crash.
Can someone inspect your car seat after a crash to ensure it's still safe?
No, to ensure your baby's safety, you still need to replace your car seat as soon as possible.
If you need help installing your new car seat, you can ask a certified technician to inspect it for free.[2] Find one near you by searching the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website or Safe Kids Worldwide.
What should you do with a recalled car seat?
Recalled seats have unsafe defects, so if your seat is affected by a recall, stop using it right away and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for repairing or replacing the seat (and don't pass it down to another family).
Find the latest recalls at NHTSA.gov/recalls, or sign up for recall alerts on your phone. (Look for a label on your seat with the date of manufacture and model number to confirm if you're affected.) You can also register your car seat with the manufacturer to receive alerts if there's a recall on your car seat.
Can you return a recalled car seat to the manufacturer or store?
It depends on the manufacturer. Some offer a full refund, while others provide a replacement — or both. For example, during the Maxi-Cosi car seat recall earlier this year, Dorel Juvenile Group offered refunds or free replacements for their Coral XP car seats to all affected customers.
Major retailers will also often help with car seat recalls. Target, for example, has a page dedicated to sharing recalls and instructions on next steps.
Can you make a recalled car seat safe by fixing the part in question?
For certain recalls, the manufacturer can send over a repair kit to update your car seat and make it safe. However, in some cases, you'll need to replace the car seat entirely. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions after a car seat recall.
What car seat recalls should parents know about?
In addition to the Maxi-Cosi Coral XP recall earlier this year, there were a few other Maxi-Cosi car seats recalled: Maxi-Cosi Coral XP, Maxi-Cosi Mico XP Max, Maxi-Cosi Mico XP, Maxi-Cosi Mico Luxe+ and Maxi-Cosi Infant Base car seats. There was also a Safety 1st car seat recall on the onBoard 35 Secure Tech.
When can you reuse a car seat?
You can save a car seat for a younger sibling or pass it on to another family if it isn't expired, damaged, recalled or missing any of its original parts. Just do the following before reusing the seat or giving it away:
- Check the expiration date. Just like food and medicines, car seats have expiration dates. The plastic used to make seats can degrade over time and become brittle, potentially making the seat less effective. To find the expiration date, check the seat's label or the manufacturer instructions. (If you can't find the date, give the manufacturer a call.) When in doubt, use six years from the manufacture date, the AAP says.
- Inspect it. Hand-me-down car seats should be in excellent condition (minus any stubborn juice or yogurt stains, of course). If you notice any cracking in the plastic, missing parts or other signs of wear and tear, get rid of it ASAP. That indicates that the seat might not provide adequate protection in the event of a crash.
- Pass along the manual. Finally, share a copy of the seat's instruction manual so the next user can install it correctly. If you don't have the original manual, download and print a copy from the manufacturer's website.
Getting rid of a used car seat can take a little bit of planning. But if the extra effort keeps other pint-sized passengers protected, it's well worth it.
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