When and Why Do Car Seats Expire? Car Seat Expiration Explained

This article was reviewed by Amanda Brown, CPST.

Yes, car seats expire. Car seats have a built-in lifespan of roughly 6–10 years from the manufacture date. Some brands list an even shorter window. Always check the sticker or manual for your exact model.

So, why do car seats expire? Car seats are among the most important baby gear, and their job is to keep your kiddo safe while traveling. After prolonged periods of use, the materials may break down and get worn out, or evolving safety standards may change. To make sure your kid remains as safe as possible, you should never use an expired car seat.

Still have questions? In-house CPST and car seat expert, Amanda Brown, helps us cover additional reasons car seats may expire, why they expire, plus how to find car seat expiration dates. 

Quick Summary: Yes — car seats, bases and boosters all expire, usually 6–10 years after manufacture. Materials degrade, safety standards evolve and recalls happen, so never rely on a seat past its labeled date. Use the sticker or manual to find the expiry, and recycle or trade-in an outdated seat rather than passing it on.

Why Do Car Seats Expire? 

Short answer: Car seats usually expire because the materials used to make them break down over time. But there are a few other reasons as well. 

Top reasons car seats expire: 

• Wear and Tear: Over the years, materials inside a car seat — including plastic shells, metal parts and foam padding — can degrade due to regular use, heat, cold, and sun exposure. Even if a car seat looks fine on the outside, internal components may weaken and fail to offer the same level of protection in a crash. That’s why manufacturers include expiration dates — to ensure the seat performs as intended throughout its lifespan.
• Safety Recalls: Sometimes, car seats are recalled due to design flaws, malfunctioning parts, or safety risks discovered after the seat hits the market. Using a recalled seat without fixing the issue may put your child at risk in an accident. That’s why it’s important to regularly check for recalls using the NHTSA recall search tool. If your car seat is recalled, contact the manufacturer — they may offer a repair kit, replacement parts, or a new seat altogether. At GoodBuy Gear, we closely monitor recalls on all baby products and do not sell recalled items.
• Safety Standard Updates: Car seat safety evolves as new crash data and testing methods become available. Over time, federal safety regulations (and NHTSA guidelines) may introduce new requirements for side-impact protection, harness design or impact-absorbing materials. An older seat that met past standards may no longer meet today’s — even if it hasn’t been recalled. Expiration dates help ensure your child’s seat includes up-to-date features and protections. 
• Crash Damage: Car seats are built to absorb impact once — not multiple times. If a seat has been in a moderate or severe crash (or even dropped from a significant height), its internal structure may be compromised. You may not see cracks or damage, but the seat may not protect your child in another crash. That’s why both manufacturers and safety experts recommend replacing a car seat after any collision and avoiding secondhand seats unless you know their full history.
  
  

TL;DR: Even if a car seat looks fine, invisible damage or outdated safety features could prevent it from doing its job in a crash. That’s why it’s so important to check expiration dates, avoid recalled models and only use car seats that meet current safety standards.

Note: All car seats sold at GoodBuy Gear, whether secondhand or open box, must pass a 40-point quality and safety check and have never been recalled or in an accident. Read more about our proprietary GoodBuy ™ Car Seat Safety Check here. 

Do Car Seat Bases and Booster Seats Expire Too? 

Yes, car seat bases and booster seats do expire. Similar to car seats, both of these car seat pieces usually expire within six to 10 years of their manufacture date. Some items may have a lifespan that is shorter than six years, so pay attention to your specific model. 

How Long Are Car Seats Good For Before They Expire?

Child car seats, boosters and bases usually expire six to 10 years from their manufacture date. Typically, car seat manufacturers set an expiration date due to wear and tear of the materials that make up the seat. However, some factors might impact this timeline and make the car seat’s lifespan shorter, including:

• Recalls
• Damage from a car accident
• NHTSA safety standard changes

Where Can I Find the Expiration Date on My Car Seat? 

You can find your car seat’s expiration date on the seat’s label or in the manual that came with your seat. 

Here is how to find your car seat’s expiration date:

• Label: The label is usually a white sticker on the back of the seat. It includes information such as the serial number and the expiration date. 
• Manual: The car seat manual will arrive in the box with your car seat and will include relevant safety and expiration information, so make sure you put it somewhere safe. If you lose track of the manual, you can find this information on the brand’s website.

Lost track of the instruction manual? Pro tip: you can almost always find a copy of the instruction manual on the manufacturer’s website. Just make sure you are paying attention to the manufacture dates on the manual so you can be sure it is the accurate manual for their specific seat you own. If you have any trouble finding this, you can always contact the manufacturer. It won’t be the first time they’ve been asked, so don’t be shy! 

Car Seat Expiration Dates for Popular Brands: Quick Glance 

Graco car seat expiration date*: Depending on the model, either 7 or 10 years. Your Graco car seat will have a 7-year lifespan if it is a harnessed seat with plastic-reinforced belt paths, such as the Contender™ 65 Convertible Car Seat, and will have a 10-year lifespan if it is a belt-positioning booster or a harnessed seat with a steel-reinforced belt path. With Graco, you’ll need to do some math: add the lifespan to the date of manufacture to get the expiration date. Read more direct from Graco here.

Britax car seat expiration date*: Depending on the model and manufacture date, between 6 and 10 years. If the Britax car seat was manufactured after 2010, Britax infant car seats have a lifespan of 6 years, Convertible car seats (excluding the Classic line) have a lifespan of 7 years, ClickTight Convertible car seats have a lifespan of 10 years, , Harness-2-Booster seats have a lifespan of 9 years, and Belt-Positioning Booster seats have a lifespan of 6 or 10 years - for the latter, you’ll need to check the user guide of your specific booster seat. Read more direct from Britax here.

Doona expiration date*: The Doona stroller and infant seat expires 6 years from date of manufacture. Read more from Doona here.

Maxi-Cosi car seat expiration date*: Maxi-Cosi car seats have among the longest useful lifespans, from 8 to 12 years. The Mico 30 has a lifespan of 8 years; Mico Max 30, 8 years; Mico Max Plus, 8 years; Magellan, 12 years; Pria 3-in-1, 10 years; Pria 3-in-1 Max, 10 years. 

Chicco car seat expiration date: Chicco expiration dates vary by model and date of manufacture, and you’ll need to check your individual Chicco car seat’s label. Read more from Chicco here.

Nuna car seat expiration date:Nuna car seat expiration dates also vary by model and date of manufacture, and you’ll need to check your individual Nuna car seat’s label. 

Currently, the only car seat on the market that does not have an expiration date is the Babyark Convertible Car Seat. Thanks to its innovative, highest-grade materials, robust construction and advanced diagnostic system with a 14 LED light system that indicates if the seat has been in a motor vehicle crash, this car seat remains effective for years, eliminating the need for replacement due to expiration.

*Dates provided are estimates and different models/years can have varying expiration dates. Check with your manufacturer via label or manual.

Car Seat Expiration FAQs 

Is It Illegal to Use an Expired Car Seat? 

It’s not illegal to use an expired car seat, but it is unsafe. Expired seats may fail in a crash and also void insurance claims. 

When Should I Replace My Child’s Car Seat? 

You should look into purchasing a new car seat when yours expires or reaches the end of its lifespan for any reason. Expired car seats may look like they’re in good condition, so be diligent about checking their expiration date.

For more information on when to replace your child’s car seat, read our guide to When to Change Car Seats, According to a CPS Technician. 

What Should I Do With My Expired Car Seat? 

If your car seat expires, you should look for a trade-in program or look for a car seat recycling program. Visit our guide on what to do with old car seats for tips on how to deal with expired seats. 

I’m Done Using My Car Seat, but It Isn’t Expired. What Can I do With It? 

As long as the car seat is still in good condition, is not expired, and has not been in a car crash, you have more options for resale, reuse or recycling. For more information, read our guide on What to Do with Old or Used Car Seats. 

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Have questions about your specific car seat? Book an appointment with a CPST through Tot Squad to get the professional help you need.