how to find expiration date on car seat

[ValerieDella]

The expiration date on a car seat is typically found on a sticker or molded directly into the plastic shell. The most common locations are on the back or bottom of the seat. You're looking for a label that says "Manufactured On" or "Do Not Use After," followed by a specific date.

Car seats have an expiration date, usually 6 to 10 years from the manufacture date, because the plastic and other materials degrade over time due to temperature extremes, sunlight, and general wear and tear. This degradation can compromise the seat's structural integrity in a crash. Always follow the manufacturer's specific expiration date for your model.

Here are the common places to check:

• On the back of the seat: Look on the rear-facing side, often on a large white or yellow sticker that also lists the model number and weight limits.
• On the bottom of the seat: Flip the seat over and inspect the base. The date is often molded into the plastic or on a sticker.
• Under the removable cover: Some manufacturers place the label on the plastic shell itself, requiring you to gently pull back the fabric cover to see it.

The date format is usually month/day/year. If you only find a manufacture date, add the seat's expiration period (found in the manual) to calculate the "Do Not Use After" date. If the sticker is missing or illegible, you must contact the manufacturer directly with the model number. Never use a car seat if you cannot confirm it has not expired.

Car Seat Brand	Typical Expiration Period (Years)	Common Location of Date
Graco	6-10	Sticker on back or bottom
Britax	6-10	Molded into plastic shell on back
Chicco	6	Sticker on bottom or under cover
Evenflo	6-10	Sticker on back or side
Safety 1st	6	Molded into plastic on bottom

[McGrace]

Flip the car seat over and check the bottom. There's almost always a white sticker there with the model number and a "Manufactured On" date. If it's not on the bottom, look on the back. The plastic itself might also have the date stamped right into it. It’s super important to find it because these things aren’t meant to last forever. The plastic gets brittle.

[LeGabriela]

As a former firefighter who did car seat safety checks, I always told parents to look for a stamped date on the plastic shell, usually on the back or bottom. Stickers can peel off, but that molded date is permanent. We’d see seats that looked fine but were years past expiration. It’s not worth the risk. The materials break down, and you won’t be able to see the damage. Your child’s safety depends on that date.

[DeFernando]

I just went through this with my infant seat. The sticker was actually under the fabric cover on the back. I had to gently pull the cover back from the top to see the plastic shell, and there it was. It felt a little weird pulling on it, but the manual said that’s where to look. If you can’t find it, your best bet is to call the company. They’ll ask for the model number and can tell you the expiration.

[RubyAnn]

The expiration is a critical safety feature, not a marketing ploy. Automotive plastics are subjected to intense stress. Over 6-10 years, exposure to UV radiation and temperature cycling causes polymer degradation, reducing the material's ability to absorb crash forces effectively. The expiration date is calculated based on rigorous testing by manufacturers. Always err on the side of caution. If the date is missing or the seat has been in a minor accident, it’s safest to replace the entire unit.