Preliminary Evaluation · CRACKING OF PLASTIC SHELL · Opened 1988-03-11 · Closed 1988-07-05
Investigation
Action number
PE88031
Type
Preliminary Evaluation
Open date
1988-03-11
Close date
1988-07-05
Manufacturer
CENTURY PRODUCTS
Affected makes
CENTURY
Affected components
EQUIPMENT
Affected model years
9999
Affected (make, year) variants
1
Summary
SUMMARY: ACCORDING TO IT'S LETTERS OF APRIL 21 AND MAY 24, 1988, CENTURY STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE ALLEGED SHELL CRACKS IS UNKNOWN IN THE EIGHT REPORTED CASES. THE CRACKS COULD HAVE RESULTED FROM HANDLING, SHIPPING, DROPPING, ETC. THE ONLY SEAT CASTING TO HAVE EVER CRACKED IN THE BELT SLOT AREA IS THAT FROM WYCHERS. THEY MAY HAVE INADVERTANTLY POSITIONED THE SEAT FORWARD FACING WHICH IS NOT DESIGNED OR ALLOWED FOR. ADDITIONALLY, CENTURY CONDUCTED 12 TESTS ON 12 SUBJECT SEATS AND THEY COMPLIED WITH ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 213. THE NHTSA ALSO CONDUCTED TESTS ON THE CHILD SEATS IN APRIL 1987. THE TEST RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE CHILD RESTRAINT COMPLIED WITH ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 213.===