Consumer product safety and shelf life · Guide + calculator

When Do Car Seats Expire
without the guesswork.

Car Seat Expiration Date Checker — Use the exact maker expiration source, then apply crash, recall, label, part and condition stop gates. Includes a practical guide and embedded calculator. Inputs stay in your browser.

Reference toolCar Seat Expiration Date CheckerUse the exact maker expiration source, then apply crash, recall, label, part and condition stop gates. Inputs stay in your browser.

Reference calculation

Inputs

Enter your details.

Your inputs are processed locally and are not uploaded to CalcSpan.

Section 1

Core details

Start with the information that defines this calculation.

Brand

Model number Needed for recall and manual lookup

Date of manufacture

Sun, Aug 21, 2022

Check date

Fri, Aug 21, 2026

Expiration source NHTSA does not set one universal expiration period; the maker's current instructions control.

Exact maker expiration date

Mon, Aug 21, 2028

Section 2

Review and confirm

Check the remaining facts before calculating.

I matched the model number to the current label or manual

Crash history

Recall check

Seat, labels, parts and instructions

Plain-date semantics · start date is not counted unless the result explicitly says inclusive.

Your result

Finish the label, manual and recall checks

NHTSA does not require one universal car-seat expiration period. CalcSpan uses only the exact maker label or the current model-specific manual, then applies crash, recall and condition gates.

Seatgraco · Model not recorded

Date of manufactureAug 21, 2022

Check dateAug 21, 2026

Expiration sourceExact printed / manual expiration dateNot confirmed for this model

Maker expirationAug 21, 2028Not yet reached

Crash historyNo crash recorded

Recall statusNot checkedSearch by brand, model and manufacture date

Seat / labels / partsComplete, undamaged and instructions available

Use decisionNot cleared — verification incomplete

Read before relying

Context matters.

Replace a seat after a moderate or severe crash. Continued use after a minor crash requires every NHTSA minor-crash criterion and the manufacturer's instructions to allow it.
Check NHTSA and the manufacturer for recalls using the exact model number and manufacture date; some recalls have a remedy rather than requiring disposal.
Never infer suitability from age alone. Missing labels, unknown crash history, missing parts, damage or unavailable instructions can block safe second-hand use.

Rule set 2.0.0

Sources & scope

Verified

This page shows the source trail, jurisdiction and review date alongside the result. Always confirm time-sensitive rules with the linked authority.

CalcSpanPlain-date calculation method and input semanticsRetrieved 2026-08-20 NHTSAUsed Car Seat Safety ChecklistRetrieved 2026-08-20 NHTSACar Seat Use After a Crash — replacement and minor-crash criteriaRetrieved 2026-08-20 NHTSACar Seat and Equipment Recall LookupRetrieved 2026-08-20

JurisdictionUnited States child-restraint safety — exact manufacturer date / instructions plus NHTSA crash and recall gates

Review date2027-02-21

PrivacyNo input upload

Questions answered

What to know before using the result.

Do all child car seats have the same expiration period?

No. There is no single federal expiration interval for every seat. Use the exact date or service-life statement from the manufacturer label or manual.

Should a car seat be replaced after a crash?

NHTSA says replace a seat after a moderate or severe crash. Reuse after a minor crash is considered only when every NHTSA minor-crash criterion is met and the manufacturer permits it.

How do I check whether a car seat was recalled?

Use the model name, model number and manufacture date with NHTSA's recall lookup and the manufacturer. An expiration date does not clear an open recall or missing-part concern.

When Do Car Seats Expire without the guesswork.