2004 Child Safety Seat Ease of Use Ratings
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Now entering its third year, NHTSA's Ease of Use Ratings program continues to prompt child restraint manufacturers to improve their products and make them easier for consumers to use.
The purpose of the ratings program is to educate parents and caregivers about child safety seat features and to assist them in finding the appropriate child safety for their needs.
Overall, the results for the 2004 ratings show improvements in securing and installation features such as easier to use harness adjustments, tether straps and shoulder belt guides. Labels and instructions showing proper use of the LATCH system and illustrations showing the correct use of the child seat have also improved.
Among the 2004 findings:
Remember, the best child safety seat is the one that fits your child properly, is easy to use, and fits in your vehicle correctly. The best way to ensure a proper fit in your vehicle is to try installing the child seat before purchasing.
Be certain you've installed your child safety or booster seat correctly by having it checked at a child safety seat inspection station or by a certified child passenger safety technician. To find one near you, visit www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/childps and click on the Fitting/Inspection Stations button, or www.seatcheck.org. You can also call 1-888-DASH-2-DOT or 1-866-SEATCHECK
For questions and answers about NHTSA’s Ease of Use Ratings Program click here.
For additional information on child safety seats and where to go for assistance in installing your child safety seat click here.
For guidelines for using Ease-of-use ratings program ratings in advertising and communications click here.
Infant | Convertible | Forward Facing Only | Combination | Booster |
Infant seats | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Manufacturer and Model Name | Model Number and Date of Manufacture | Harness Type | Weight/Height Range | Assembly | Evaluation of Labels | Evaluation of Instructions | Installing Features | Securing the Child | Overall Ease of Use Rating | ||||||||||||||||||||
Baby Trend Latch Loc |
- (05-14-2003) | 5-pt | 5-22 lbs | A |
A |
A |
A |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Combi Tyro |
8000-1 (11-18-2003) | 5pt | up to 22lbs/up to 29" | A |
C |
A |
A |
B |
B |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cosco Arriva |
22010WAL (01-15-2004) | 3pt | 5- 22 lbs/19"-29" | A |
A |
A |
A |
B |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cosco Dream Ride Car Bed |
22001FSM (01-06-2004) | 3pt | 5-20 lbs/19"-26" | A |
B |
B |
A |
B |
B |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cosco TLC |
22000FSM (01-20-2004) | 5-20 lbs/19"-26"3pt | A |
A |
A |
A |
B |
A |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Evenflo Discovery w/base |
3161291P1 (same on base)5-20 lbs (01-23-2004) | 3 pt | 5-20 lbs/19"-26" | B |
B |
B |
A |
B |
B |
||||||||||||||||||||
Evenflo PortAbout 5 w/base |
3751353P1 (01-15-2004) | 5pt | 5-22 lbs/19"-26" | A |
B |
B |
A |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Evenflo PortAbout w/base |
3741351 (same for base)5-22 lbs (01-20-2004) | 3 pt | 5-22 lbs/19"-26" | A |
B |
B |
A |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Graco Assura |
41104FOF (03-09-2004) | 3 pt | 22 lbs or less/up to 29" | A |
A |
A |
A |
B |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Graco Snug Ride w/base |
8642JUP (same on base) (02-25-2004) | 3 pt | 20 lbsor less/up to 26" | B |
B |
A |
A |
B |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Graco Snug Ride w/base |
8643DRM (same on base) (03-05-2004) | 5 pt | 20 lbsor less/up to 26" | B |
B |
A |
A |
B |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Graco Snug Ride w/base |
8607LAG (same on base) (03-05-2004) | 5pt | 20 lbs or less/up to 26" | A |
B |
A |
A |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Peg-Perego Primo Viaggio |
IMCBP53RU53 (01-07-2004) | 5 pt | less than 20lbs/up to 26" | A |
A |
B |
A |
B |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Safety First Designer 22 SE w/base |
22-390-VIN (none on base) (01-27-2004) | 5pt | 5-22 lbs/19"-29" | A |
A |
A |
A |
B |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Safety First Designer 22 w/base |
22-325-NVP (01-08-2004) | 5pt | 5-22 lbs/19"-29" | A |
A |
A |
A |
B |
A |
Convertible seats FF: Forward Facing, RF: Rear Facing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Manufacturer and Model Name | Model Number and Date of Manufacture | Harness Type | Weight/Height Range | Assembly | Evaluation of Labels | Evaluation of Instructions | Installing Features | Securing the Child | Overall Ease of Use Rating | ||||||||||||||||||||
Britax Marathon (FF) |
E9L0642 (01-30-2004) | 5 pt | no min-65 lbs/ 18"to 49" | A |
C |
B |
A |
A |
B |
||||||||||||||||||||
Britax Marathon (RF) |
E9L0642 (01-30-2004) | 5 pt | 5-33 lbs/18-49" | A |
C |
A |
B |
A |
B |
||||||||||||||||||||
Britax Roundabout (FF) |
E9L0216 (01-05-2004) | 5 point | up to 40 lbs | A |
C |
B |
A |
A |
B |
||||||||||||||||||||
Britax Roundabout (RF) |
E9L0216 (01-05-2004) | 5 point | 5lbs-33lbs | A |
C |
B |
B |
A |
B |
||||||||||||||||||||
Britax Wizard (FF) |
E9L0742 (01-12-2004) | 5pt | 22-65 lbs/up to 49" | A |
C |
B |
A |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Britax Wizard (RF) |
E9L0742 (01-12-2004) | 5pt | 5-33 lbs/up to 49" | A |
B |
A |
B |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Combi Avatar (FF)8100-1 |
(12-01-2003) | 5pt | 20-40lbs/19"-40" | A |
C |
B |
A |
B |
B |
||||||||||||||||||||
Combi Avatar (RF)8100-1 |
(12-01-2003) | 5pt | 5-30lbs/19"-40" | B |
B |
A |
A |
B |
B |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cosco Eddie Bauer (FF) |
22-720-HML (09-23-2003) | OH shield | 20-40 lbs/29"-40" | A |
B |
B |
B |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cosco Eddie Bauer (RF) |
22-720-HML (09-23-2003) | OH shield | 5-35 lbs/19"-36" | B |
B |
B |
A |
A |
B |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cosco Touriva (FF) |
22-100-TTD (01-20-2004) | 5 pt | 20-40 lbs/29"-40" | A |
B |
B |
B |
A |
B |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cosco Touriva (FF) |
22-130-WAL (01-28-2004) | OH shield | 20-40 lbs/29"-40" | A |
B |
B |
B |
A |
B |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cosco Touriva (RF) |
22-100-TTD (01-20-2004) | 5-pt | 5-35 lbs/19"-36" | A |
B |
A |
A |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cosco Touriva (RF) |
22-130-WAL (01-28-2004) | OH shield | 5-35 lbs/19"-36" | B |
A |
A |
A |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Evenflo Titan (FF) |
3671213P11/22/2004 (01-22-2004) | 5pt | 20-40 lbs/up to 40" | A |
B |
A |
A |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Evenflo Titan (FF) |
3661367P1 (12-26-2003) | OH shield | 20-40lbs/up to 40" | A |
B |
A |
A |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Evenflo Titan (RF) |
3671213P1 (01-22-2004) | 5pt | 5-30 lbs/19"-1" below top | A |
A |
A |
B |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Evenflo Titan (RF) |
3661367P1 (12-26-2003) | OH shield | 5-30 lbs/19"-top of crs | A |
A |
A |
A |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Evenflo Tribute (FF) |
3792098P1 (01-28-2004) | 5 pt | 20-40 lbs/up to 40" | A |
B |
A |
A |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Evenflo Tribute (FF) |
3781100P1 (01-04-2004) | OH shield | 20-40 lbs/up to 40" | A |
B |
A |
A |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Evenflo Tribute (RF) |
3792098P1 (01-28-2004) | 5 pt | 5-30 lbs-19"-top of crs | A |
A |
A |
A |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Evenflo Tribute (RF) |
3781100P1 (01-04-2004) | OH shield | 5-30lbs/19"-1" from top | A |
A |
A |
A |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Evenflo Triumph (FF) |
3591208P1 (01-21-2004) | 5 pt | 20-40 lbs/up to 40" | A |
B |
B |
A |
B |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Evenflo Triumph (RF) |
3591208P1 (01-21-2004) | 5 pt | 5-30 lbs | B |
A |
A |
B |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Evenflo Vangard 5 (FF) |
3691261P1 (12-01-2003) | 5pt | 20-40 lbs/up to 40" | A |
B |
A |
A |
B |
B |
||||||||||||||||||||
Evenflo Vangard 5 (RF) |
3691261P1 (12-01-2003) | 5pt | 5-30lbs/19"-1" from top | A |
A |
A |
A |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Evenflo Vangard Comfort Touch (FF) |
3681261P1 (01-12-2003) | OH shield | 20-40 lbs/up to 40" | A |
B |
A |
A |
A |
B |
||||||||||||||||||||
Evenflo Vangard Comfort Touch (RF) |
3681261P1 (01-12-2004) | OH shield | 5-30lbs/19"-1" from top | A |
A |
A |
A |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Evenflo Victory 5 Comfort Touch (FF) |
3771346P1 (01-27-2004) | 5pt | 20-40 lbs/less than 40" | A |
B |
A |
A |
B |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Evenflo Victory 5 Comfort Touch (RF) |
3771346P1 (01-27-2004) | 5pt | 5-30lbs/19"-1" below top | B |
A |
A |
C |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Graco Comfort Sport (FF) |
8433CHA (02-18-2004) | 5pt | 20 - 40 lbs/up to 40" | A |
B |
A |
A |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Graco Comfort Sport (FF) |
8434TUC (02-05-2004) | OH shield | 20-40lbs/up to 40" | A |
B |
A |
A |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Graco Comfort Sport (FF) |
8438WEL (03-05-2004) | OH shield | 20-40lbs/up to 40" | A |
B |
A |
A |
B |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Graco Comfort Sport (FF) |
8630KBT (02-12-2004) | 5 pt | 20-40lbs/up to 40" | A |
B |
A |
A |
B |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Graco Comfort Sport (RF) |
8433CHA (02-18-2004) | 5 pt | 5-30 lbs | A |
A |
A |
A |
B |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Graco Comfort Sport (RF) |
8434TUC (02-05-2004) | OH shield | 5-30lbs | A |
A |
A |
A |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Graco Comfort Sport (RF) |
8438WEL (03-05-2004) | OH shield | 5-30lbs | A |
A |
A |
A |
B |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Graco Comfort Sport (RF) |
8630KBT (02-12-2004) | 5 pt | 5-30 lbs | A |
A |
A |
A |
B |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Safeline Sit and Stroll (FF) |
2003 (12-23-2003) | 5 pt | 20-40 lbs/18"-40" | A |
B |
C |
A |
B |
B |
||||||||||||||||||||
Safeline Sit and Stroll (RF) |
2003 (12-23-2003) | 5 pt | 5-30 lbs/18"-40" | B |
B |
C |
A |
B |
B |
Forward Facing Only seats | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Manufacturer and Model Name | Model Number and Date of Manufacture | Harness Type | Weight/Height Range | Assembly | Evaluation of Labels | Evaluation of Instructions | Installing Features | Securing the Child | Overall Ease of Use Rating | ||||||||||||||||||||
Britax Husky |
E9L3028 (12-03-2003) | 5pt | 22-80 lbs/19"-53" | A |
B |
B |
A |
A |
B |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cosco Tote N Go |
22-900-BVK (08-16-2002) | 5pt | 25-40 lbs | B |
C |
B |
A |
A |
B |
Combination seats FF: Forward Facing, RF: Rear Facing, B: Booster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Manufacturer and Model Name | Model Number and Date of Manufacture | Harness Type | Weight/Height Range | Assembly | Evaluation of Labels | Evaluation of Instructions | Installing Features | Securing the Child | Overall Ease of Use Rating | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cosco Alpha Omega (B) |
22-150-BNG (01-28-2004) | high back | 30-80 lbs/29"-52" | A |
A |
B |
A |
C |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cosco Alpha Omega (B) |
22-180-WAL (01-08-2004) | high back | 30-80 lbs/29"-52" | A |
A |
B |
A |
C |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cosco Alpha Omega (FF) |
22-150-BNG (01-28-2004) | 5pt | 20-40lbs/29"-40" | A |
A |
A |
A |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cosco Alpha Omega (FF) |
22-180-WAL (01-08-2004) | OH shield | 20-40lbs/29"-40" | A |
A |
A |
A |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cosco Alpha Omega (RF) |
22-150-BNG (01-28-2004) | 5pt | 5-35 lbs/19"-36" | A |
B |
A |
B |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cosco Alpha Omega (RF) |
22-180-WAL (01-08-2004) | OH shield | 5-35lbs/19"-36" | B |
B |
A |
B |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cosco Alpha Omega Elite (B) |
22-155-HMR (01-20-2004) | high back | 30-100 lbs/29"-52" | A |
A |
B |
A |
C |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cosco Alpha Omega Elite(FF) |
22-155-HMR (01-20-2004) | 5pt | 20-40 lbs/29"-40" | A |
A |
A |
A |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cosco Alpha Omega Elite(RF) |
22-155-HMR (01-20-2004) | 5pt | 5-35 lbs/19"-36" | A |
B |
A |
B |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cosco Alpha Omega LX (B) |
22-269-CRK (01-15-2004) | high back | 30-80 lbs/29"-52" | B |
A |
B |
A |
C |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cosco Alpha Omega LX (FF) |
22-269-CRK (01-15-2004) | 5pt | 20-40lbs/29"40" | A |
B |
B |
A |
A |
B |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cosco Alpha Omega LX (RF) |
22-269-CRK (01-15-2004) | 5pt | 5-35 lbs/19"-36" | B |
B |
A |
B |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cosco Summit DX (B) |
22-260-HOU (01-28-2004) | high back | 30-100 lbs/29"-52" | A |
B |
B |
A |
B |
B |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cosco Summit DX (FF) |
22-260-HOU (01-28-2004) | 5pt | 20-40lbs/29"-40" | A |
A |
B |
A |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cosco Ventura DX (B) |
22-249-WAL (01-28-2004) | high back | 30-80 lbs/29"-52" | A |
A |
B |
A |
B |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cosco Ventura DX (FF) |
22-249-WAL (01-28-2004) | 5pt | 20-40lbs/29"-40" | A |
B |
A |
A |
B |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Evenflo Chase Comfort Touch (B) |
3241346P1 (01-13-2004) | high back | 30-80lbs/37"-54" | A |
A |
B |
A |
C |
B |
||||||||||||||||||||
Evenflo Chase Comfort Touch (FF) |
3241346P1 (01-13-2004) | 5pt | 20-40lbs/29"-43" | A |
C |
B |
A |
B |
B |
||||||||||||||||||||
Evenflo Comet (B) |
3221329P1 (01-29-2004) | high back | 30-80lbs/37"-54" | C |
A |
B |
A |
C |
B |
||||||||||||||||||||
Evenflo Comet (FF) |
3221329P1 (01-29-2004) | 5pt | 20-40 lbs/29"-43" | B |
A |
B |
A |
B |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Evenflo Express Combo (B) |
3181182P1 (06-09-2003) | high back | 30-80lbs/up to 54" | A |
B |
C |
A |
C |
B |
||||||||||||||||||||
Evenflo Express Combo (FF) |
3181182P1 (06-09-2003) | 5pt | 20-40lbs/29"-43" | A |
B |
B |
A |
B |
B |
||||||||||||||||||||
Graco Cargo Platinum (B) |
8489TRA (02-23-2004) | high back | 30-100lbs/35"-54" | A |
A |
A |
C |
B |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Graco Cargo Platinum (FF) |
8489TRA (02-23-2004) | 5pt | 20-40lbs/27"-43" | A |
A |
A |
A |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Graco Treas. Cargo (B) |
8486HMP (01-09-2004) | high back | 30-100lbs/35"-54" | A |
A |
A |
C |
B |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Graco Treas. Cargo (FF) |
8486HMP (01-09-2004) | 5pt | 20-40lbs/27"-43" | A |
A |
A |
A |
B |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Graco Ultra Cargo (B) |
8487TEC (03-04-2004) | high back | 30-100lbs/35"-54" | A |
A |
A |
C |
B |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Graco Ultra Cargo (B) |
8487AIS (03-09-2004) | high back | 30-100lbs/35"-54" | A |
A |
A |
C |
B |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Graco Ultra Cargo (FF) |
8487TEC (03-04-2004) | 5pt | 20-40 lbs/27"-43" | A |
A |
A |
A |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Graco Ultra Cargo (FF) |
8487AIS (03-09-2004) | 5pt | 20-40lbs/27"-43" | A |
A |
A |
A |
A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Safety First Vantage Pt (B) |
22-560-FLG (02-04-2004) | high back | 30-100lbs/29"-52" | A |
A |
B |
A |
B |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Safety First Vantage Pt (FF) |
22-560-FLG (02-04-2004) | 5 pt | 20-40 lbs/29"-40" | A |
B |
A |
A |
A |
A |
Booster seats | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Manufacturer and Model Name | Model Number and Date of Manufacture | Harness Type | Weight/Height Range | Assembly | Evaluation of Labels | Evaluation of Instructions | Installing Features | Securing the Child | Overall Ease of Use Rating | ||||||||||||||||||||
Britax Bodyguard |
E903642 (02-03-2004) | high back | 40-100lbs/43"-60" | A |
A |
B |
A |
N/A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Britax Roadster |
E900416 (07-01-2003) | hb/backless | 40-100lbs/37"-56" | A |
B |
C |
A |
A |
B |
||||||||||||||||||||
Britax Starriser Comfy |
E900316 (01-29-2004) | high back | 30-80 lbs/up to 53" | A |
A |
C |
A |
B |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Combi Apogee |
8200-00 (10-22-2003) | high back | 33-100lbs/33"-59" | A |
A |
B |
A |
B |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cosco Ambassador |
22-296-WAL (01-28-2004) | backless | 30-100 lbs/up to 57" | B |
A |
B |
N/A |
N/A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cosco Complete Voyager |
22-210-SAF (01-28-2004) | high back | 30-80 lbs/ 29"-52" | B |
A |
B |
C |
N/A |
B |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cosco Protek |
22-291-TRP (01-28-2004) | high back/backless | 30-100 lbs/29"-57" | C |
B |
B |
A |
C |
B |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cosco Vista |
22-220-HEN (01-06-2004) | high back | 30-80 lbs/29"-52" | B |
A |
B |
A |
N/A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Evenflo Big Kid |
245119 (12-10-2003) | high back | 30-100 lbs/up to 57" | B |
A |
B |
A |
B |
B |
||||||||||||||||||||
Evenflo Big Kid |
2741476 (12-11-2003) | backless | 40-100 lbs/up to 57" | B |
A |
A |
B |
N/A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Evenflo Sightseer |
2691380P1 (12-15-2003) | high back | 30-80lbs/37"-54" | A |
A |
A |
A |
N/A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Graco My Cargo |
8481CHL (02-13-2004) | high back | 30-100lbs/ 35"-54" | A |
A |
A |
C |
N/A |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
Graco Turbo Booster HB |
8696CLK (12-13-2003) | high back/backless | 30-100 lbs/38"-57" | B |
A |
A |
A |
B |
A |
||||||||||||||||||||
LaRoche Bros. Grizzly Bear |
1/GB2 2004 | high back | 30-100lbs/33"- | A |
C |
C |
A |
N/A |
B |
||||||||||||||||||||
LaRoche Bros. Polar Bear |
PB 1 (12-29-2003) | high back | 30-100lbs/33"-57" | A |
B |
C |
A |
N/A |
B |
||||||||||||||||||||
LaRoche Bros. Teddy Bear |
1 1998 | high back | 30-80 lbs/33"- | A |
C |
C |
A |
N/A |
B |
||||||||||||||||||||
Recaro Start |
321.00.0614 (10-28-2003) | high back | 30-80 lbs/37"-59" | A |
B |
B |
A |
N/A |
A |
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