More than 600,000 Nuna Rava car seats recalled over possible crash failure

(NEXSTAR) – Nuna Baby Essentials is recalling more than 600,000 of its Rava line of car seats over a harness defect that could cause the restraint system to fail in a crash.

There have been dozens of complaints about the harness unexpectedly loosening, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

"My husband and I were driving today and we noticed my daughter kept getting out of her seat," one consumer wrote. "Once we got home, on further investigation, we determined the issue to be a faulty, self-ratcheting system."

Another said they found their 1-year-old "completely unstrapped" after taking him for a drive.

Nuna says the defect is caused by debris lodging in the area where the front harness adjuster button is found.

"The debris may cause the teeth of the adjuster mechanism to no longer properly clamp onto the adjuster strap, resulting in the harness no longer remaining tight," Nuna Baby Essentials said in its recall notice. "A loose harness may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury in a crash."

The car seats list for $400 and more at retailers such as Neiman Marcus, Pottery Barn and Dillard's, but not all are under recall.

The affected seats were manufactured between July 16, 2016 and Oct. 25, 2023. The car seats under recall have a plastic cover housing the harness adjuster strap, while those made after Oct. 25, 2023 have a fabric cover.

(Nuna Baby Essentials)
(Nuna Baby Essentials)

Nuna says it is giving eligible owners of the affected models (listed in the slideshow image above) "a new seat pad, cleaning kit, and care instructions to ensure the car seat's harness adjuster is kept clean and working properly."

If the car seat harness is working as it should – find out how to test it here – Nuna says consumers can continue to use them as long as they follow the instructions and use the seats as directed.

Customers who have a registered seat that is being recalled will first receive a letter notifying them of the recall and asking them to confirm the status of their seat, and then a second letter notifying them when the seat pad and cleaning kit are available.

Anyone with an unregistered car seat can fill out Nuna's online form, email the company at info.usa@nunababy.com or call 1-855-686-2891.