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:

• In 2004 there were 67 CRS (child restraint system) rated (from nine manufacturers) with 50 receiving an overall A rating (includes at least one A rating for a dual or multimode CRS). This compares in 2003 to 69 CRS rated with 31 receiving an overall A rating (one A rating for a dual or multimode CRS).
• As in '03, there were no child restraints that received an overall C rating. However, there were several C scores within the categories. There were less C scores in '04 than in '03.
• Of the 31 seats that received an A in '03, six were discontinued in '04 and not tested. Of the 31, six CRSs ratings went from an overall A rating to an overall B rating in '04.
• Several CRS that received B ratings in '03 received A ratings in '04.
• All 15 GRACO CRSs received overall A ratings (they did have four versions of the same type of convertible seat, three versions of the same infant seat, and two versions of the same combination seat, so basically they were the same molds).

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.

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