Question: I want to make sure my child is safe in the car, but I’ve heard that some car seats sold online are fake or don’t meet U.S. safety standards.
How can I tell if a car seat is unsafe?
Answer: Good question. I reached out to the expert who is the community programs and occupant protection manager for the Minnesota Safety Council and here is what I found out.
Fake, counterfeit, or noncompliant car seats can look real, feel sturdy, and even have labels — but they may break in a crash or miss critical safety features that keep children safe. Some of these car seats are being sold online and may even look like a real car seat, but they aren’t made to save lives. If you look closely, some may say they were made for dolls or have labels in broken English.
What to look for in a legitimate U.S. car seat:
• Safety labels written in English
• Chest clip as part of the five-point harness
• Manufacturer name, model number, and weight/height limits
• Registration card and owner’s manual
• Statement that it meets all U.S. federal safety standards.
Red flags for fake, counterfeit or non-compliant seats:
• No U.S. safety labels or labels only in other languages
• Missing chest clip, registration card or manual
• Unknown manufacturer
• Very low prices or sold by unknown online sellers (avoid third-party sellers)
Important note: Some car seats may be legitimate and crash-tested in other countries (like European models) but do not meet U.S. safety standards. For example, many European car seats do not have a chest clip, which is a required feature for U.S. seats. Even if these seats are safe elsewhere, they are not compliant for use in the U.S.
You can always contact your car seat manufacturer or a certified child passenger safety technician if you have questions, want to verify a seat or need help with installation.
A one-pager on compliant car seats and a list of all U.S. car seat manufacturers and their contact info is available here: buckleupmn.org/infants-children/finding-the-right-car-seat.
If you buy a car seat online and the deal seems “too good to be true,” it might be.
Any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Trooper Troy Christianson, Minnesota State Patrol, 2900 48th St., NW, Rochester MN 55901-5848; or send an email to: Troy.Christianson@state.mn.us.