The Evenflo Revolve 360 series (Revolve, revolve360 extend, and Slim) features a 360-degree rotating capability that allows a caregiver to buckle and unbuckle the child while the seat faces them. A recent surge in inquiries about Evenflo Revolve 360 safety concerns and whether there will be an Evenflo Revolve 360 recall warrants a thorough exploration of the ongoing investigation, which opened on January 5, 2024. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown to shed light on what’s going on.
Understanding the Ongoing Investigation of Evenflo Revolve 360: What You Need to Know
First and foremost, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into the Evenflo Revolve 360 car seats amidst concerns that they may not meet certain Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 213 requirements. At the core of the investigation report lies the fact that this convertible car seat has a detachable base. This potential separation could have safety issues identified by NHTSA.
Despite NHTSA’s reservations, Evenflo maintains its stance, refuting the regulatory body’s interpretation of the standards. Consequently, Evenflo continues to certify and market the Revolve 360 series, highlighting the complexity and divergent perspectives within the industry regarding safety regulations.
Understanding how car seat safety standards are established and enforced is essential. NHTSA delineates the standards that car seat manufacturers must adhere to to ensure the safety of their products. Manufacturers are responsible for self-certifying compliance with these standards, including conducting requisite testing. Once certified, car seats can be introduced to the market for sale.
NHTSA’s primary concern regarding the Evenflo Revolve 360 is the harness’s detachability from its base. According to NHTSA standards, such a feature is permissible only in infant car seats where the harness can be installed without the base. Reported incidents and complaints of the Revolve 360 shell separating from its base during at least six vehicle crashes have spurred NHTSA to initiate a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
It’s crucial to emphasize that the investigation is ongoing, and conclusive decisions have yet to be made.
Thus, making assertions about the safety of the Evenflo Revolve 360 or any other car seat implicated in such investigations would be premature and ill-advised.
NHTSA Investigation Updates
As we await the outcome of the investigation, it is incumbent upon parents and caregivers not to panic. Regardless of brand or model, strict adherence to the manufacturer’s instructions outlined in the user manual is imperative. This encompasses proper installation, harnessing, and adherence to weight and height limits for these kids.
Stay Informed About Recalls
While car seat recalls are rare, they do happen. Sometimes, the fix is as simple as the manufacturer sending a new label, a replacement part, or a new seat altogether. Registering your car seat is the best way to know about any recall. If you have yet to register your Evenflo Revolve 360 or any other car seat, make sure you register it with the manufacturer so you are provided with immediate safety notices, such as car seat recall alerts. At this time, there are no Evenflo Revolve 360 recalls.
Updates will be disseminated through this blog post and on Safe in the Seat’s Instagram page. Ensuring your child safety and peace of mind is paramount. Every effort will be made to keep you informed throughout this process. In conclusion, while the ongoing investigation into the Evenflo Revolve 360 raises legitimate concerns, it is imperative to await the findings before drawing conclusions. In the interim, adhering to proper car seat safety protocols and remaining informed will keep your child safe in the seat.
For additional information on rotating car seats, check out this blog post with our recommendations.
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Help!!! I drive a 2024 Pilot. The seat belts have that section of “extra material” and for the life of me, I cannot seem to position it in a way that is out of the way of the locking arm. I’ve scooted the base both right and left and it’s still in the way. What can I do?
You can try contacting Evenflo and see if they have any other ideas. You can schedule an appointment with them here: https://evenflo.appointlet.com/
Any thoughts on the Babyark car seat? The seat detaches from the base using a lever, so I wonder if it breaks the same NHTSA rule.
We just have to wait and see what NHTSA decides. We should know in a few more months. But the regulations are changing so there is a chance this section could be updated as well.
I’ve been having issues with our 360. I was moving the unit from one vehicle to another unit. When I press down the unit to latch it in place it kept popping off. When I went to look into the warranty, I noticed all the communication on the web regarding the investigation.. I see the piece that is broken or that has become loose that prevents the latch from locking in place. If someone knows how I can get this information or a picture of the warranty defect to the recall department, please feel free to reach out to me.
1. You should contact Evenflo first: https://www.evenflo.com/pages/contact-us
2. You can file a report with NHTSA here: https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwoa2xBhACEiwA1sb1BKqbp0Rhquj5kpaitRq_qt4VGR5UAiv6f7Jk4JpDVJ6wOQLn2q8NCBoCYQUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds#index
I have both the Evenflo Revolve 360 and the 360 Extend. Both bases are similar and I have had to move them multiple times between various vehicles. At first I had the same issue as you but after a little practice I figured out what the issue was. The issue was I was cinching the seat belt too tightly before lowering “LockStrong Belt Tensioner”. Try loosening the seatbelt slight and then lower the tensioner into its locking position. With a little practice the you will figure out what seat belt tension is best and the indicator will change from red to green once its correctly locked into position. After it indicates green try and move the base and confirm that its within the manufacturer’s specifications of less than 1″ of movement. Please note that the metal bar that is at the end of tensioner and locks into position is normal to be loose prior to locking into position. Of course please speak with Evenflo of any issues you’re having.
I was told by a cpst tighter isn’t safer. I was over tightening the car seat belt before trying to latch the seat base latch and I was forcing it. Like to the point the base didn’t even budge when the on and I was told that was a bad idea and the base should move slightly, but no more than one inch. So I loosened the belt then latched it and it was so much easier, about half an inch. They told me too tight puts too much tension on the base latch and actually makes the seat less safe because it can cause belt damage and risk breaking the seat base in a crash.
That is not true. It is absolutely fine for the seat to not move at all at the belt path. There is no way that you can overtighten the seat belt with your hands alone. You are not strong enough to damage the seat belt. There used to be a seat belt tightening tool on the market, and it was possible to overtighten the seat belt in that case. But that tool has not been available in many years, so I can’t imagine you were using it. -Lainie Choy, CPSTI
What is the difference in the ChiccoFit360 since it also has a detachable base?
We have the same question. The Chicco seat does have a tool that is required to remove it from the base, so that may be a way to circumvent the rule. We’ll see what happens!
My son had the Evenflo revolve 360 when I was t-boned by an 18 wheeler . This carseat held up against a 70 mph 18 wheeler with no injuries to my toddler . Seeing as it held up against that I repurchased one has his replacement . And now I have one for my newborn as well . I LOVE this carseat and the fact that it protected my son when my SUV was mangled
If the infant harness portion can get away with two separate pieces because the harnessed part can be installed without the base, what about the (recently discontinued) Nuna Pipa Lite series? Those CANNOT be installed without a base. Should there be an investigation into their compliance as well? And what about the new Chicco Fit360, where that has a key, but is still two separate pieces? Thanks! I love your knowledge and content so much.
The NHTSA ruling is why the Nuna Pipa Lite series was discontinued, just to get ahead of the game. Another seat was recalled last year due to it, Maxi Cosi Coral. We are also curious to see what happens with this investigation as it will affect other seats like the Chicco Fit 360.
How long do these investigations typically take? My daughter rides in her 360 everyday and I’m anxious to know.
They can take many months.
We have one as well and my understanding is that in at least some of the crashes where the seat came off, it was unoccupied and not locked into place. So it detached but there was no child in it.
Same I’ve heard as well. Those instances were either the seat was empty or because the seat was not installed correctly in the first place.
My son has been in his 360 since he came out of the infant carrier and I’ve had no issues with mine and have made sure it was installed by manufacturer directions