Car Seat Expiration Dates: The Six Year Rule Explained

Most car seats carry an expiration date of six to ten years from manufacture, a rule that surprises many first-time parents. The plastic shell degrades over time, and safety standards evolve faster than a decade-old seat can keep up.

The date is stamped on the shell, usually on a sticker near the base.

• Heat cycles inside a car slowly weaken the plastic shell
• Harness webbing loses strength with years of UV exposure
• Replacement parts are discontinued long before the shell fails
• A seat in a crash should be retired immediately, not re-used

Do not guess the date. Find the sticker, note it, and replace the seat on schedule even if it still looks brand new on the outside.