Car Seat Wear

[Anonymous]

I have a 5 year old car seat (warranty says it should have 10 year of life), but this morning I noticed the buckle strap is starting to fray! This is the one at the bottom that you click the tabs into. My first thought was this thing is not safe and I should trash the whole seat, but then I thought about it: the part is removable, so probably replaceable. I could get a new part, but now I'm worried that other parts of the car seat just aren't going to last. The seat pad had little bits coming up out of it.

I don't want to be wasteful, but safety comes first. I'm about to write to the manufacturer to be sure, but DCUM, would you get a new car seat or just replace the part?

[Anonymous]

I actually bet, due to liability issues and the risks of it being assembled incorrectly, that you CAN'T replace the belt on a car seat. So I'm guessing you'll have to buy new.

[Anonymous]

I'm actually searching right now and can't find one actually.

[Anonymous]

Is this for a new baby? How long do you still need it? If I took 5 years for this minor wear, it’s not going to snap off overnight. For the same kid who has been using it for 5 years, I’d ride it out until booster seats time.

For a new baby, yes I’d get a new seat.

[Anonymous]

Get a new seat.

[Anonymous]

Definitely write the manufacturer, or even call their customer service line. Babies are hard on gear, and manufacturers will often send replacement parts for free or, if it is still under warranty, they might send you a whole new car seat for free.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Definitely write the manufacturer, or even call their customer service line. Babies are hard on gear, and manufacturers will often send replacement parts for free or, if it is still under warranty, they might send you a whole new car seat for free.

That was my thought too. I just wrote to them. We've had this seat for 4 years (1st kid) and I bought it thinking they would be in it for 10... I know better now, but I feel like you buy the crazy stuff for your first.

[Anonymous]

What seat is it? Even if it's advertised as lasting 10 years, that's almost impossible for any seat on the market unless you have a REALLY petite kid.

And yes, call the manufacturer. You won't be the first person that's had that issue and they may replace it or tell you it's okay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What seat is it? Even if it's advertised as lasting 10 years, that's almost impossible for any seat on the market unless you have a REALLY petite kid.

And yes, call the manufacturer. You won't be the first person that's had that issue and they may replace it or tell you it's okay.

Diono Radian RXT. We have the extra kit that came in the recall a few years back and it's held up until I noticed this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What seat is it? Even if it's advertised as lasting 10 years, that's almost impossible for any seat on the market unless you have a REALLY petite kid.

And yes, call the manufacturer. You won't be the first person that's had that issue and they may replace it or tell you it's okay.

Diono Radian RXT. We have the extra kit that came in the recall a few years back and it's held up until I noticed this.

Turns out you can buy a replacement part:
https://www.diono.com/us/product/long-center-buckle-strap/

This was the response from the manufacturer.

[Anonymous]

Target car seat trade-in is now, so I think we'll just get DC a new one. This one has been in service almost 5 years - it's watch has ended.