Graco Recall 2014
Graco issued a recall for over three million of their child car seats last month due to potentially faulty buckles. Above: a picture of a recalled buckle (L) and a repaired Graco car seat buckle (R). Graco

Parents, beware: Graco announced a massive recall of more than three million of their popular car seat models this week due to potentially faulty buckles.

According to a statement from the children’s product company, approximately 3.7 million Graco child safety seats are being recalled due to a malfunctioning buckle, which could make it hard to remove a child from the car seats in the event of an emergency. “As part of our continuous product testing and improvement process, Graco identified that food and dried liquids that can make some harness buckles progressively more difficult to open over time or become stuck in the latched position,” the report said.

The defective buckle products in question, which were used on all toddler convertible seats and harnessed booster seats sold by Graco, were reportedly manufactured between 2009 and July of 2013. Graco SnugRide infant car seats are reportedly not included in the recall because of their “unique design” according to the GracoBaby.com blog.

While the potentially defective buckles can be cleaned to continue use (Graco has since posted cleaning tips since issuing the recall), a replacement buckle can also be obtained. Customers affected by the recall can contact Graco customer service to receive their new buckle, free of charge, by calling: 800-345-4109 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by contacting a representative via email at: consumerservices@gracobaby.com.

Despite issuing the mass recall, Graco claims that no injuries related to the recalled products have been reported.

Following the release of the recall, Graco customers have come out in droves on the company’s Facebook page to issue their concerns over the recalled items. “Since 2009? Really? So for five years you knew there was a problem and you let it go yet you want your customers to believe everything is still safe?” posted consumer Andrea Pentakill Dariano Monday. “I will NEVER buy Graco brand of anything EVER again. U people are amazingly pathetic, rude, and very irresponsible for blaming PARENTS on UR F--K UPS!!! [sic]” posted user Sierra Jean, who later went on called the recall "sad" and "disappointing." “They were just poorly made with defective parts and now it is the consumers fault for letting the buckles become dirty. No responsibility from the company just excuses,” said user Jan Richardson Incorvia.

Models Affected By Graco Car Seat Recall 2014:

Toddler Convertible Car Seats: Cozy Cline, Comfort Sport, Classic Ride 50, My Ride 65, My Ride 70, My Ride 65 with Safety Surround, Size4Me 70, My Size 70, Head Wise 70, Smart Seat.

Harnessed Booster Seats: Nautilus 3-in-1, Nautilus Elite and Argos