Stores cannot legally sell a car seat if its manufacture date is more than a specific number of years old, as determined by its expiration date. Car seat expiration dates are typically 6 to 10 years from the date of manufacture and are mandated by the manufacturer, not a federal law. However, selling an expired seat could be considered a violation of consumer product safety standards. The countdown starts from the moment the seat is made, not sold.
The expiration date exists for critical safety reasons. The plastics and other materials in a car seat degrade over time due to exposure to temperature extremes, sunlight, and stress. This degradation can compromise the seat's structural integrity in a crash. Furthermore, safety standards and technology improve rapidly; an older seat simply may not offer the same level of protection as a newer model.
You can find the manufacture date and expiration date on a white sticker or label on the seat itself, often on the back or bottom. The date is usually formatted clearly (e.g., "MANUFACTURED ON: JAN 2022"). If a store is selling a seat without a clear, future-dated expiration, it is likely too old to be sold safely.
| Factor | Reason for Expiration | Typical Timeline |
|---|
| Material Degradation | Plastics become brittle and lose strength | 6-10 years |
| Safety Standard Updates | New regulations offer better protection | Continuous |
| Missing Parts/Instructions | Critical components can be lost over time | Varies |
| History Unknown | Potential unseen damage from prior use | Varies |
| Technology Advances | Side-impact protection, ease of use | 5-7 years |
Always check the date before you buy, and if a deal seems too good to be true, the seat's age is the first thing to verify. Your child's safety is not worth the risk of an expired seat.
