Car seats
The right seat, installed right, every ride.
NHTSA’s steps from rear-facing to seat belt, what its ratings do and don’t mean, and why you should register every seat.
Seat by stage
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Rear-facing first
Children under 1 should always ride rear-facing. NHTSA says to keep kids rear-facing as long as possible, until they reach the top height or weight limit for their seat.
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Then forward-facing with a harness
Once a child outgrows the rear-facing seat, they move to a forward-facing seat with a harness and tether, and stay there until they reach that seat's top height or weight limit.
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Booster until the belt fits
After a forward-facing harness seat, a child rides in a booster seat in the back seat until they're big enough for the seat belt to fit properly.
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How a seat belt should fit
A seat belt fits when the lap belt lies snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach, and the shoulder belt lies snugly across the shoulder and chest without crossing the neck or face.
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Back seat through age 12
Keep children in the back seat at least through age 12.
Choosing and installing
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What Ease-of-Use ratings measure
NHTSA's Ease-of-Use Ratings give car seats 1 to 5 stars in four areas: the instruction manual, the labels, vehicle installation features and features for securing the child. Each mode, such as rear-facing or booster, gets its own rating.
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Ease-of-use isn't a crash score
Ease-of-Use stars rate how easy a seat is to use, not how safe it is. Every seat NHTSA rates is self-certified by its maker to meet federal safety standards, including crash performance standards.
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Get the install checked
Car seat inspection stations have certified technicians who, in most cases, check your seat at no charge and show you how to install and use it. Some offer virtual inspections.
Keeping it safe
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Register every car seat
Register a car seat with its manufacturer, by mailing the card that came with it or registering online, so the company can contact you directly about recalls and safety notices.
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Keep the date label
A car seat's labels show its date of manufacture and model number. NHTSA says you need them to find out whether the seat has a recall or is too old.
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Replace after a moderate or severe crash
NHTSA recommends replacing a car seat after a moderate or severe crash. A crash only counts as minor if the car could be driven away, the door nearest the seat wasn't damaged, nobody was hurt, no air bags deployed and the seat shows no damage.
NHTSA tools
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NHTSA Car Seat Finder and Ease-of-Use Ratings
Enter a child's age, height and weight to see car seat types that fit, then compare models and their Ease-of-Use Ratings.
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Car seat inspection stations
Find a nearby station where certified technicians check a car seat install and show you how to use it. Some offer virtual inspections.
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NHTSA SaferCar app
Add your car seats to a virtual garage and get a phone alert when NHTSA finds a recall. NHTSA says user data stays on your device.
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NHTSA Check for Recalls
Search car seats, vehicles, tires and equipment for safety recalls, investigations, complaints and manufacturer communications. You can also report a car seat safety problem.
Recent car seat recalls
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RecalledNHTSA, August 2026
Britax B-Safe Gen 2, B-Safe Gen 2 Flexfit, B-Safe Gen 2 Flexfit Plus, B-Safe 35, B-Safe Ultra and Endeavours child seats
The hazard
A screw in the carrying handle can come loose so the handle partly detaches, and a child could fall.
What to do
A remedy is still being developed. Britax expects to mail owner letters by October 19, 2026. Owners can call Britax at 888-427-4829.
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RecalledNHTSA, April 2026
Graco SnugRide Turn & Slide infant child seats and Modes Nest Travel Systems with SnugRide Turn & Slide
The hazard
The infant seat carrier can detach from its base in a crash, so the seats don't meet federal child restraint standard FMVSS 213.
What to do
Graco will replace the seat at no charge. Until the replacement arrives, install the seat with the vehicle seat belt, without the base. Owners can call Graco at 1-800-345-4109.