NRMA campaign results in recall for "catastrophic" child restraint

A campaign by the NRMA has resulted in the recall of the Joie i-Travvel child restraint after the restraint catastrophically failed the Child Restraint Evaluation Program’s (CREP) crash test. 

The NRMA, as a founding partner of CREP, and its CREP partners released the results of the test, which included tests of six child restraints in seven different modes. In the forward facing Isofix mode, the Joie performed so poorly that the dummy was catapulted from the restraint. A sustained public campaign by the NRMA this week resulted in the manufacturer conducting a voluntary recall of the product. This is a significant advocacy outcome for the NRMA, our Members and the broader community.

Consumers should immediately stop using the product and return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund or store credit. We commend the manufacturer in taking proactive steps and not waiting for an ACCC recall before notifying its customers.

The NRMA is putting all manufacturers on notice. A new protocol is now in place to ensure that manufacturers that under-deliver in future tests to the standards the NRMA expects for its Members will get called out – we do not want restraints shooting dummies out of the seat.

The Joie i-Travvel was tested in both seatbelt and ISOfix mode. For the first time since CREP commenced in 1992 the dummy was ejected during crash testing in ISOfix forward-facing mode. The result has led to an overhaul of the test protocol so that a zero rating can be given. 

All restraints tested comply with the Australian Standard, so they provide certain minimum levels of safety, however there is a vast difference in the quality of protection they offer. CREP puts the child car seats through more rigorous testing than the tests in the mandatory standard, which better reflects the risk children are exposed to in a real-world crash.

NRMA’s Road Safety Expert, Dimitra Vlahomitros said the device had been on the market since April meaning parents needed to be alerted to its poor performance in forward-facing mode.

“Choosing the correct child seat could be a lifesaving decision so it is critical parents make their purchase based on performance and ease of use rather than price or aesthetics,” Ms Vlahomitros said.

A child seat is a long-term investment in a child’s comfort and safety. Here’s the NRMA’s top tips for purchasing a car seat:

• Go to https://www.childcarseats.com.au/ to find out the crash rating and compare child restraints

• If you intend buying a seat your child can use as they get older, ensure they offer good levels of protection across the different modes

• Shop around to find the right price Ensure your seat is professionally installed, and ask the installer to show you how to do it yourself in case it needs to be moved from car to car

• Be wary of purchasing a second hand seat: make sure you know its full history; check the manufacturer’s sticker to make sure it is less than 10 years old; don’t use the seat if straps or harness are frayed; and check for any obvious signs of wear or tear

• Familiarise yourself with the national Child Restraint Laws: https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/parents/child-car-seats