How to Check Car Seat Expiration Date

You’re clearing out the attic when you spot your oldest child’s car seat—still in great shape, right? Before handing it to your pregnant sister, you need to answer a critical safety question: how to know when a car seat expires. Here’s what every parent must understand: car seats have hidden expiration dates, and using an expired model could fail to protect a child in a crash. The American Academy of Pediatrics and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration treat expiration as a non-negotiable safety rule, not a marketing ploy.

Finding this date isn’t always obvious—it’s not stamped on the front like an expiration sticker on milk. Yet skipping this check risks your child’s safety. Plastic becomes brittle, straps lose strength, and critical safety updates go unapplied. By the end of this guide, you’ll master exactly where to look, how to calculate expiration, and when to retire any seat—whether it’s yours, a hand-me-down, or one you found at a garage sale.

Find the Expiration Label in 60 Seconds

Check These Three Critical Locations First

Start your search on the back of the seat shell—most manufacturers hide a white or silver sticker here. If it’s missing, flip the seat over and inspect the underside where heat and dirt cause fading. For infant carriers with detachable bases, examine both components separately, as bases often expire sooner than carriers. Britax bases typically last 6 years while their convertible seats run 10 years.

Decode These Three Label Formats

Manufacturers use distinct labeling systems that trip up even experienced parents:

• Direct expiration: “Do not use after 15 Mar 2030” (common on Graco boosters)
• DOM + lifespan: “DOM: 15 Mar 2020 – 10-year life” (standard on Britax All-in-Ones)
• DOM only: Just displays manufacture date—default to 6 years from DOM per NHTSA rules

Pro tip: Snap a phone photo immediately. These stickers often peel off after years of car heat cycles. If you find only the date of manufacture (DOM), add the standard lifespan to calculate expiration.

Handle Missing or Faded Labels Correctly

If you can’t locate any date information, retire the seat immediately—never guess. Contact the manufacturer with your model name and serial number:

• Graco: Call 1-800-345-4109 (staffed by certified CPSTs 24/7)
• Britax: Use britax.com’s live chat or dial 1-888-427-4829
• Orbit Baby: Reach their in-house CPST team via orbitbaby.com

Never accept “it looks fine” as an answer. Without verifiable dates, the seat is unsafe.

Calculate Exact Expiration Using Brand-Specific Rules

Apply This Universal Date Formula

Use DOM + Useful Life = Expiration Date for precise results. Example: A Graco Extend2Fit with DOM “02/14/2022” and 10-year lifespan expires on 02/14/2032. Do this math yourself—don’t rely on retailers or secondhand sellers.

Know Your Brand’s Lifespan Standards

Lifespans vary significantly by manufacturer and seat type:

Warning: Orbit Baby seats expire at 6–8 years regardless of model. If your label shows only DOM, assume 6 years unless proven otherwise.

Spot Physical Warning Signs of Expiration

Identify These 5 Danger Indicators

Even within date, these conditions require immediate retirement:

• Hairline cracks in plastic (run fingers along shell seams)
• Frayed harness straps that feel stiff or show UV damage
• Missing chest clip, tether, or manual (critical for proper installation)
• Rust on metal hooks or corrosion on LATCH connectors
• Compressed foam padding that doesn’t rebound when pressed

Expert note: Heat accelerates degradation. Seats stored in attics or trunks (where temps exceed 140°F) expire faster—even if the date hasn’t passed.

Avoid Hand-Me-Down Seat Pitfalls

When accepting a used seat, ask:
– “Can you show me the DOM sticker?”
– “Was this seat ever in a crash?” (Even minor fender benders compromise safety)
– “How was it stored?” (Avoid seats kept in damp basements or hot garages)
– “Do you have the manual and all parts?”

If the seller can’t answer these, decline the seat.

Recognize Situations That Void Expiration Dates Early

Crash Involvement Requires Immediate Replacement

NHTSA mandates replacing seats after moderate to severe crashes. A crash qualifies as minor (and may not require replacement) only if:
– The vehicle drove away from the scene
– The door nearest the seat shows zero damage
– No occupants sustained injuries
– Airbags didn’t deploy
– The seat has no visible damage

Critical reality: Many manufacturers like Graco require replacement after any crash. When in doubt, replace it—your child’s safety isn’t worth the risk.

Recall Status Overrides Expiration Dates

A seat within its lifespan becomes unsafe if recalled. Check status at:
– nhtsa.gov/recalls (enter VIN or seat model)
– Manufacturer websites (Britax offers instant recall checks)
– Register seats at birth to receive automatic alerts

Never use a recalled seat—even if expiration is years away.

Complete This 60-Second Verification Checklist

Before installing any car seat, confirm these 6 items:

1. Locate DOM stickers on both carrier and base (check underside/back)
2. Identify useful life from label or manual (use brand chart above)
3. Calculate expiration date (DOM + lifespan)
4. Check for recalls via NHTSA website
5. Confirm no crash history and all parts present
6. Inspect for physical damage (cracks, frayed straps)

If any step fails, retire the seat immediately. Don’t rationalize—your child’s life depends on this.

Destroy Expired Seats Properly to Prevent Misuse

Follow These 4 Disabling Steps

Never donate or sell expired seats—they often end up in unsafe hands:
1. Remove fabric cover and foam padding
2. Cut all harness straps into 6-inch segments
3. Mark “EXPIRED” in permanent marker on plastic shell
4. Separate components (plastic, metal, fabric) for recycling

Choose Safe Disposal Options

• Retailer trade-ins: Target’s biannual events accept expired seats (get 20% off new gear)
• Recycling centers: Call your Department of Public Works—specify #2 or #5 plastics
• CPST programs: Donate non-expired seats only to technician training programs
• Trash: After complete destruction, bag components separately

Community warning: Leaving intact expired seats in trash invites reuse. Always render them unusable.

Real-World Expiration Scenarios Decoded

Scenario 1: Graco Extend2Fit from Garage
– DOM: February 14, 2022
– Steel-reinforced belt path = 10-year lifespan
– Verdict: Expires February 14, 2032—safe to use

Scenario 2: Britax B-Safe 35 Infant Seat
– DOM: May 9, 2018
– Infant seat base = 6-year lifespan
– Verdict: Expired May 9, 2024—retire immediately

Scenario 3: Unlabeled Yard Sale Seat
– No visible DOM or expiration
– Verdict: Treat as expired—never use

Critical Takeaways for Child Safety

Car seat expiration isn’t arbitrary—it’s grounded in material science and crash testing limits. Plastic weakens after years of temperature swings, harnesses lose strength from UV exposure, and safety standards evolve. Always prioritize finding that expiration date over sentimental value or cost savings.

Remember this golden rule: DOM + Lifespan = Your Safety Decision Point. Make checking expiration dates as routine as oil changes—your child’s life depends on it. When labels are missing, crash history is unknown, or physical damage exists, replace the seat without hesitation. For peace of mind, register new seats immediately to receive recall alerts. Your vigilance today ensures your child travels safely tomorrow.