Car seats have expiration dates printed on them, and you need to know where to look
Every car seat has an expiration date, usually between 6 and 10 years from the date it was manufactured. The manufacturer prints this date directly on the seat itself — not on the box, not in the manual, but on the plastic shell or base. You do not need to call anyone or search online; the date is physically there. Finding it takes less than a minute once you know where manufacturers put it.
The expiration date matters because the plastic and harness materials degrade over time, and a seat that has expired may not protect a child in a crash the way it was designed to. Used car seats, hand-me-downs, and seats that have been in storage all need this check before use.
Key Takeaways
- The expiration date is molded or printed directly into the plastic shell, usually on the back or bottom of the seat.
- Look for a label or stamp that says "Manufactured" or "Expiration" followed by a month and year.
- If you cannot find a date after checking the back, bottom, and sides, check the instruction manual or contact the manufacturer with the model number.
- A seat that has passed its expiration date should not be used, even if it looks undamaged.
Check the back of the car seat first
The most common location for the expiration date is on the back of the seat shell. Tilt the seat forward or remove it from the base if it is installed, and look at the rear panel. You are looking for a label, sticker, or text molded into the plastic that includes a date. It may say "Manufactured" with a month and year, or it may say "Expiration" or "Do Not Use After" with a date.
The label is usually small — about the size of a postage stamp — and printed in black or dark gray text. If the seat has been used, this area may have dust or dirt on it, so wipe it clean with a dry cloth before you give up.
Look at the bottom and sides if the back is blank
If you do not find a date on the back, check the bottom of the seat shell. Flip the seat over or look underneath if it is still in the base. Manufacturers sometimes place the expiration date on the underside, particularly on newer models.
The sides of the seat are another common spot, especially near the base or where the harness straps attach. Run your fingers along the plastic edges and look for any raised or printed text. Some seats have the date stamped into a recessed area, so you may need to feel for it as well as look.
Search the instruction manual if the seat itself has no visible date
If you have the original instruction manual that came with the seat, open it and look for a page labeled "Expiration" or "Maintenance." Most manuals include the manufactured date and explain how to calculate the expiration date from it. The manual may also have a photo showing exactly where the date is located on that specific model.
If you do not have the manual, you can usually find it online by searching the manufacturer name and model number. The model number is printed on the seat itself, often on the same label as the expiration date or on a separate sticker on the base.
Contact the manufacturer if you still cannot locate the date
If you have checked the back, bottom, sides, and manual and found nothing, contact the car seat manufacturer directly. You will need the model number, which is printed somewhere on the seat or base. Most manufacturers have a customer service phone number on their website or in the manual.
When you call, have the model number ready and describe where you have already looked. The manufacturer can tell you the expiration date for that model or explain whether the seat was made before expiration dates were required. Some very old seats may not have an expiration date printed on them at all, in which case the manufacturer can tell you the year it was made so you can calculate it yourself.
Understand what the expiration date means
The expiration date is the last day the seat should be used. After that date, the plastic can become brittle, the foam padding may compress unevenly, and the harness straps may not hold as securely in a crash. These changes happen gradually and may not be visible to the eye.
A seat that looks clean and undamaged but has passed its expiration date should not be used. This applies even if it has only been used a few times or has been stored in a closet. The expiration is based on age, not on use.
What to do with an expired car seat
Once a car seat has expired, you cannot donate it, sell it, or pass it to another family. Most manufacturers recommend destroying the seat so it cannot be used by mistake. You can cut the harness straps, break the plastic shell, or remove the base and discard the pieces in your regular trash.
Some communities have car seat recycling programs or hazardous waste collection days that will take expired seats. Check with your local waste management department or search online for "car seat recycling near me" to see if this option is available in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I bought a used car seat and cannot find the expiration date?
Contact the manufacturer with the model number to find out when that model was made. If you cannot find a model number, the seat may be too old to use safely. When in doubt, purchase a new seat rather than risk using one with an unknown age.
Does the expiration date change if I have never used the seat?
No. The expiration date is based on when the seat was manufactured, not on how many times it has been used. A brand-new seat that has been in storage for eight years may already be expired or close to expiration.
Can I use a car seat one month after the expiration date?
No. The expiration date is a firm cutoff. Once that date passes, the seat should not be used. The manufacturer has tested the seat's safety up to that point, and using it beyond that date means you cannot be sure it will perform as designed in a crash.
Is the expiration date the same as the manufacture date?
No. The manufacture date is when the seat was made. The expiration date is typically 6 to 10 years later, depending on the manufacturer. Some seats show both dates; others show only the expiration date. Check your manual to see which one your seat displays.
What if the expiration date is worn off or illegible?
If the date is faded or damaged and you cannot read it, contact the manufacturer with the model number. They can tell you the expiration date for that model. If you cannot find the model number either, the seat is too old to identify safely and should be replaced.