Urgent recall issued on popular children’s car seat over safety fears
Parents are being warned to stop using the affected seat immediately and return it for a full refund.
A popular car seat sold in the UK has been urgently recalled due to safety concerns – here’s what parents need to know
Parents are being urged to check their child’s car seat after a safety alert was issued for a model sold at Halfords. The recall affects certain batches of the Halfords Essentials Nyala R129 car seat, which could pose a risk of injury if used.
According to the Office for Product Safety and Standards, the car seat’s plastic buckle may become deformed in extreme temperatures, potentially compromising its performance in the event of an accident.
Which car seats are affected?
Only specific batches of the Halfords Essentials Nyala R129 car seat are part of the recall. These can be identified by the batch code printed on the underside of the seat.
Affected batch codes: 211X and 223X
Production dates: March 2023 – May 2023
Barcodes: 5057901819229 and 5057901828382
SKUs: 819222 / 828382
If your car seat has a different batch code, you do not need to take any action.
What should parents do?
If you own one of the affected seats, you should stop using it immediately and return it to Halfords.
The retailer has confirmed that you will receive a full refund and that no receipt is required.
For more information or help with the return process, you can contact Halfords Customer Services on 0330 135 9779 or view the official recall notice here.
Why has this recall been issued?
The issue lies with the buckle, which may warp in very hot or very cold temperatures. This could prevent the buckle from performing properly in the event of a collision, meaning the seat no longer meets the requirements of the General Product Safety Regulations 2005.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards said: “The affected batches present a risk of injuries as under extreme temperature conditions, the plastic buckle may become deformed.”
How to check your car seat quickly
We know life is busy and this kind of news can be stressful, so here’s the quickest way to check:
Look underneath your child’s car seat for the batch code.
If it says 211X or 223X, it’s one of the affected seats.
Stop using it straight away and take it back to Halfords.
Recalls like this can feel worrying, but the key thing is that the fault has been identified and steps are in place to keep families safe. If your seat is part of the recall, return it as soon as possible – and remember, you’ll get a full refund without needing proof of purchase.
You can find more information on car seat safety here and if you need to purchase a replacement seat find our reviews of the best toddler and child car seats here.