Evenflo Recalls Over 74,000 Child Seats Due to Recline Issue That Could Fail in a Crash

Evenflo has voluntarily recalled 74,710 All4One 4-in-1 convertible car seats after testing revealed the recline mechanism may shift unexpectedly during a crash when used in rear-facing mode, potentially failing to secure children properly. The recall, reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on December 24, 2025, affects seats manufactured between January 2022 and June 2024 sold across the United States and Canada—yet no injuries have been reported.

What Is the Evenflo Recline Defect and Why Does It Matter?

The problem centers on a mechanical failure in how the seat maintains its position. When parents use the All4One seat in rear-facing mode—the safest configuration for infants and toddlers—the adjustable recline mechanism can shift from one position to another during a collision. This defect means the seat fails to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 213, which governs child restraint systems.

Here’s what makes this dangerous: a car seat that doesn’t maintain its proper recline angle may not adequately protect a child in a crash, increasing the risk of serious injury. The recline mechanism—the adjustable feature that controls the angle of the car seat to keep a baby’s airway open and provide proper crash protection—is supposed to lock firmly into place. When it fails, the seat’s protective capabilities are compromised at the exact moment they’re needed most.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warns that inadequate recline positioning can leave children vulnerable to impact forces that the seat was designed to absorb and redirect. While Evenflo maintains the seats continue to provide protection even with this defect, federal safety testing identified the non-compliance issue during routine evaluations.

Which Evenflo Car Seat Models Are Being Recalled?

Not every All4One seat is affected—only specific model numbers manufactured during a particular timeframe. Parents must check the white label on the back or bottom of their car seat to locate both the model number and manufacturing date.

U.S. Models Included in the Recall:

• 39312234: All4One DLX Latitude
• 39312240: All4One DLX Reefs
• 39312408: All4One Car Seat Aries
• 39312408PAL: All4One Car Seat Aries Pallet
• 39312409: All4One Car Seat Ophelia
• 39312440: All4One Car Seat Knight
• 39312441: All4One DLX Car Seat Kingsley
• 39312441COM: All4One DLX Car Seat Kingsley
• 39312441POP: All4One DLX Car Seat Kingsley
• 39312442COM: All4One DLX Belmont

Canadian Models Also Affected:

Canadian versions carry a “C” suffix (example: 39312234C for the All4One DLX Latitude sold in Canada). All affected seats were manufactured between January 2022 and June 2024.

Important distinction: Some Evenflo seats include “EveryFit,” “EveryKid,” or “All4One” in their names, but only seats specifically labeled “All4One” with the model numbers listed above are part of this recall. Check your specific model number—not just the product name.

How Many Seats Are Recalled and When Was It Announced?

The recall affects exactly 74,710 All4One convertible car seats sold in both the United States and Canada. Evenflo formally notified NHTSA of the safety issue on December 24, 2025, and the company announced the voluntary recall publicly on January 8, 2026.

Timeline parents need to know: Owner notification letters will begin mailing on January 26, 2026, to families who registered their car seats with Evenflo. Replacement seats are expected to be available by March 4, 2026, according to the company’s recall statement.

What Remedy Is Evenflo Offering—Refund or Replacement?

Evenflo is providing free replacement car seats to all affected families. Unlike some recalls that offer repair kits or partial solutions, this safety defect requires complete replacement of the unit to ensure compliance with federal safety standards.

The remedy process works as follows: Families who registered their All4One car seat will receive direct notification from Evenflo with instructions on obtaining an equivalent replacement seat at no cost. Those who haven’t registered (or can’t remember if they did) should immediately register at evenflo.com/pages/product-registration or contact Evenflo directly.

Do not return your seat to the store where you purchased it. Evenflo instructs consumers to keep using the current seat with safety precautions until the replacement arrives. The company emphasizes that returning seats to retailers won’t accelerate the replacement process and could leave families without any car seat—a far more dangerous situation than using the recalled seat with proper caution.

What You Must Know About This Recall

The Hidden Pinching Risk Most Parents Don’t Know About

Beyond the crash-related recline issue, there’s a second danger: if another passenger—often an older sibling or adult—places their hand near the recline mechanism while the seat shifts position, their fingers can be caught and pinched or crushed. This risk exists specifically when the seat is in rear-facing mode and the mechanism moves unexpectedly.

Evenflo recommends a simple interim safety measure: fold a small towel and place it inside the recline mechanism opening to fill the space. This physical barrier prevents fingers from entering the mechanism while families wait for replacement seats. The company’s website includes photos showing exactly where to position the towel.

Can You Keep Using the Recalled Seat?

Yes, according to both Evenflo and safety experts—but with critical precautions. The company states that parents and caregivers may continue using the car seat, including in rear-facing mode, because the seat still provides crash protection for the secured child. As Consumer Reports’ associate director of auto safety notes, “While there is potential for increased injury risk if the recline changes position, the injury risk for an unrestrained child in a crash is certain.”

However, families must ensure that anyone sitting next to the car seat keeps hands and fingers completely away from the recline mechanism whenever the seat is in rear-facing position. This means actively instructing older children, other passengers, and adults about the pinching hazard.

How Recent Safety Standards Affect This Recall

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 hasn’t changed recently, but enforcement scrutiny has intensified. NHTSA discovered this defect during routine compliance testing—not through consumer complaints—demonstrating how government safety testing continues to identify risks before injuries occur.

This proactive approach reflects broader 2025-2026 trends in child product safety regulation. After several high-profile recalls in the child restraint category over the past two years, federal agencies have increased testing frequency and expanded evaluation protocols. Parents benefit from this heightened oversight, as defects are caught earlier in the product lifecycle.

What to Do Next If You Own an Affected Evenflo Seat

Verify Your Seat’s Model Number Immediately

Don’t assume your All4One seat is safe just because it looks different from recalled versions. Manufacturing dates and model numbers—not appearance or purchase location—determine recall status. Locate the white label on the back or bottom of your car seat. The label contains both the model number and manufacturing date. Compare your model number against the complete recall list provided above.

Can’t find your label or it’s worn off? Contact Evenflo at 800-233-5921 with your purchase information, and representatives can help determine if your seat is affected.

Contact Evenflo for Your Free Replacement

Evenflo Customer Service is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time. You have three ways to reach them:

• Phone (U.S.): 1-800-233-5921
• Phone (Canada): 1-800-265-0749
• Email: [email protected]

If you haven’t registered your car seat, do so immediately at evenflo.com/pages/product-registration. Registration ensures you receive direct updates about the replacement process and any future safety notices related to your specific product.

Official Resources and Additional Safety Information

For the most current recall information, parents should consult these authoritative sources:

• Evenflo Official Recall Page: evenflo.com/pages/all4one-recall
• NHTSA Recall Information: safercar.gov (search recall number 25C011)
• Consumer Product Safety Commission: cpsc.gov for related child product recalls
• Consumer Reports Car Seat Guidance: consumerreports.org/cro/car-seats for safety ratings and buying guides

If your child was injured in an incident involving a recalled Evenflo seat, you may want to consult with attorneys experienced in product liability claims to understand your legal options. While no injuries have been reported as of January 2026, families who experience future incidents related to the recline defect may have grounds for compensation if they can demonstrate the defect caused harm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Evenflo Car Seat Models Are Being Recalled?

The recall affects All4One 4-in-1 convertible car seats with specific model numbers including 39312234 (DLX Latitude), 39312240 (DLX Reefs), 39312408 (Aries), 39312409 (Ophelia), 39312440 (Knight), and several Kingsley and Belmont variations. Only seats manufactured between January 2022 and June 2024 are included. Check the white label on your seat’s back or bottom to verify your model number matches the recall list.

What Is Wrong With the Recline Mechanism?

When used in rear-facing mode, the adjustable recline mechanism may shift from one position to another during a crash instead of maintaining its locked position. This movement prevents the seat from meeting Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 for child restraint systems and may compromise the seat’s ability to adequately secure a child during impact, increasing injury risk.

How Do I Know If My Evenflo Seat Is Part of the Recall?

Locate the white label on the back or bottom of your car seat. The label shows both the model number and manufacturing date. If your model number matches any on the recall list AND your seat was manufactured between January 2022 and June 2024, your seat is recalled. When in doubt, call Evenflo at 800-233-5921 with your seat information for confirmation.

Can I Get a Refund or Do I Have to Accept a Replacement?

Evenflo is offering free replacement car seats only—not refunds. The company will provide an equivalent All4One model that doesn’t have the recline defect. While this may disappoint some parents who prefer refunds, replacement ensures families maintain proper child restraint without financial burden. The recalled seats cannot be returned to retail stores for refunds.

Is It Safe to Keep Using My Evenflo Seat Until I Get a Replacement?

Yes, according to Evenflo and safety experts, but you must follow specific precautions. Continue using the seat including in rear-facing mode, as it still protects a properly secured child. However, ensure all passengers keep hands and fingers away from the recline mechanism when the seat is rear-facing to prevent pinching injuries. Place a small folded towel inside the recline mechanism opening to block finger access. The risk of using the recalled seat with precautions is lower than leaving a child unrestrained.

What Should I Do If My Child Was Injured Because of the Recline Defect?

Seek immediate medical attention and thoroughly document all injuries with photos and medical records. Save the car seat exactly as it was—don’t attempt repairs or modifications. Contact Evenflo to report the incident and file an official complaint with NHTSA at safercar.gov. Consider consulting attorneys experienced in defective product lawsuits who can evaluate whether you have grounds for a product liability claim seeking compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Where Can I Find the Model Number on My Evenflo Car Seat?

The model number appears on a white label attached to either the back or bottom of the car seat. The label also shows the manufacturing date, which you need to determine recall eligibility. If the label is missing, faded, or unreadable, contact Evenflo customer service at 800-233-5921 with your proof of purchase, and they can help identify your seat based on purchase date and retailer information.

Last Updated: January 16, 2026

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about the Evenflo All4One car seat recall and is not legal advice. For specific guidance about your situation, consult with qualified consumer protection attorneys or contact Evenflo directly.

Take Action Now: Check your car seat’s model number today. If it matches the recall list, register at evenflo.com or call 800-233-5921 immediately to secure your free replacement and protect your child.

Stay informed, stay protected. — AllAboutLawyer.com

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
Read more about Sarah