Maxi Cosi Pria 85 Convertible Recalled for Failing to Meet Head Excursion Requirement of FMVSS 213
On August 24, 2021, Dorel Juvenile Group, the manufacturer of Maxi-Cosi carseats, issued a recall of the Pria 85 convertible carseat for failing to meet basic safety standards set forth in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 213.
Which seats?
➣ All Pria 85 models manufactured between 1/1/2019-8/17/2021; approx. 83,000 seats are affected
If you own a Pria 85 manufactured before 1/1/2019, your carseat is not involved in this recall and is fine to use. If you own any other Pria carseat, your seat is not involved in this recall. You can find your carseat’s name on the cover under your child’s left knee (see the green circle in the pic above).
Why?
When installed forward-facing with a lap-only seat belt and no top tether (the test all carseats must pass in order to be certified per FMVSS 213), the Pria 85 failed the test when used with the 10 yr old dummy (over 65 lbs.). The dummy’s head excursion was further than the 813 mm allowed. You can see pics of the 10 yr old dummy here.
Does this affect the Pria 85 when it’s rear-facing?
No. You can continue to use it safely rear-facing.
Can I continue to use the Pria 85 for my child who is under 65 lbs.?
Yes. The recall affects lap-only seat belt installations without the tether for children over 65 lbs.
Is there a recall fix for the Pria 85?
Not at this time, but you should always try to tether your carseat to an approved tether anchor in your vehicle. If you own the carseat, you are encouraged to contact Maxi-Cosi (Pria85recall@djgusa.com or 877-657-9546) to get further information, even if you haven’t registered your carseat. (But do register your carseat with them! You are still eligible for a recall fix even if you haven’t registered your carseat.)
Tethering forward-facing carseats is an important safety feature for a carseat. Head injuries are the top injuries for both rear- and forward-facing kids in carseats, but tethers can reduce head excursion by 4-6″. The Pria 85 is a unicorn carseat because of its 85 lbs. weight limit in a sea of 65 lbs. weight limit seats; however, most kids do outgrow the harness before reaching 85 lbs. For those parents who bought this carseat to install in a lap-only position because their over 65 lbs. child wasn’t booster ready, this is an important recall since those vehicles with lap-only belts often don’t have tethers in those positions either.
2 Comments
I have a 97 Honda crv that doesn’t have latch or a tether anchor. How do we safely install the seat? I’m hesitant to have my son in the car
Hi Jessica. Sorry that I’m just seeing your comment now! You can still install your carseat with the seat belt. Follow the instructions in the seat belt section. My guess is that your seat belt will lock at the retractor, but if it doesn’t, you’ll need a locking clip if your carseat doesn’t have a built-in lockoff. Honda sells tether anchor retrofit kits for about $13. They’re called Plate Assembly #82410-SE3-C01. You’ll need a torque wrench to install it in the ceiling, but if you don’t have one, you can buy it anywhere you can buy a wrench (Home Depot, Lowes, Ace, etc.). It’s easy—I installed them in my 2000 Toyota Sienna.