Where Is the Expiration Date on a Car Seat?

Understanding Car Seat Expiration Labels

Car seat manufacturers are required to provide guidance on the expected useful life of their products^[4]. However, how this information is displayed varies significantly between brands and even between models within the same brand.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) explains that expiration dates help consumers understand the safe lifespan of their car seat^[4]. Most car seats expire between 6 and 10 years after their manufacture date, with infant carriers typically having shorter lifespans (6 years) and all-in-one seats lasting longer (up to 10 years)^[5].

The expiration label—often called the tracking label or serial label—contains critical information including the manufacturer’s contact details, model number, serial number, date of manufacture, and sometimes the explicit expiration date^[2]. This same label is essential for registering your car seat and checking for recalls.

Where to Find the Label by Brand

Different manufacturers place expiration information in different locations. Below is a guide for major brands:

Brand	Label Location	Expiration Display
Graco	Back or bottom of seat shell^[6]	DOM + useful life (7-10 years)
Britax	Varies by model (see below)^[1]	Direct expiration date on newer models
Baby Trend	Bottom of base or underside^[6]	DOM (add 6 years)
Evenflo	Side of seat	DOM (6-8 years depending on model)^[7]
Safety 1st	Bottom of car seat^[8]	Printed directly on seat
Chicco	Back or bottom of shell	DOM + useful life
Cosco	Side of seat^[9]	Sticker with manufacture date

Britax Label Locations by Model Type

Britax places labels in different positions depending on the car seat category^[1]:

Infant Car Seats (Willow, Willow S, Willow SC, Cypress)

Location: Underside of seat, next to harness adjustment slots
Expiration: 6 years from manufacture date

Infant Seat Bases (Aspen, Alpine)

Location: Inside the lower connector storage compartment
Expiration: 6 years from manufacture date

ClickTight Convertible Seats (Poplar, Poplar S)

Location: Back of seat under the tether hook
Expiration: 10 years from manufacture date

All-In-One Seats (One4Life, One4Life Slim)

Location: Top side of ClickTight compartment, under the car seat cover
Expiration: 10 years from manufacture date

Harness-2-Booster Seats (Grow With You series)

Location: Outside of headrest
Expiration: 9 years from manufacture date

Belt-Positioning Boosters (Highpoint, Skyline)

Location: Top of front corner of seating area, under cover
Expiration: 10 years from manufacture date

Graco Label Locations

Graco car seats display the date of manufacture and useful life on a stamped label on the back or bottom of the seat shell^[6]. Depending on the seat type, this label indicates either 7 or 10 years of useful life. Calculate the expiration by adding the useful life to the manufacture date.

For example: If the manufacture date is September 19, 2024, and the listed useful life is 7 years, the seat expires September 19, 2031^[6].

How to Calculate Expiration from Manufacture Date

If your car seat only shows a manufacture date without an explicit expiration date, follow these steps:

Locate the manufacture date on the tracking label (usually formatted as MM/DD/YYYY or a date code)
Find the useful life listed on the same label or in the owner’s manual
Add the useful life to the manufacture date

Common useful life periods by seat type^[5]:

Infant carriers: 6 years
Convertible car seats: 6-8 years
All-in-one seats: 10 years
Booster seats: 6-10 years

If you cannot find the useful life listed anywhere, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using 6 years from the manufacture date as a default guideline^[5].

What If You Cannot Find the Expiration Date?

Several options exist when the label is missing, illegible, or unclear:

Check the owner’s manual: The manual specifies where to find the manufacture date and how long the seat lasts from that date^[3]. If you’ve lost the physical manual, most manufacturers provide digital versions online.
Contact the manufacturer: With your model number and serial number, the manufacturer’s customer service can confirm your seat’s expiration date^[3].
Look for embossed information: Some seats have the expiration date or manufacture date stamped (embossed) directly into the plastic shell rather than on a sticker^[4]. Check the bottom and back of the shell carefully.
When in doubt, replace the seat: If you cannot verify the manufacture date and the seat appears old or its history is unknown, replacing it is the safest choice. This is especially important with secondhand seats where documentation may be missing.

Why Car Seats Have Expiration Dates

Car seat expiration isn’t just manufacturer marketing—there are legitimate safety reasons behind these dates^[4]:

Material degradation: Plastic and foam components weaken over time due to temperature extremes, UV exposure, and general aging. This degradation may not be visible but affects crash protection^[10].
Wear and tear: Daily use causes gradual damage to harnesses, buckles, and adjustment mechanisms. Parts may become worn, lost, or installed incorrectly over years of use^[10].
Evolving safety standards: Car seat safety regulations and testing standards improve over time. An older seat may not meet current safety requirements^[10].
Recall tracking: Manufacturers may issue safety recalls years after production. Expired seats are unlikely to have received necessary recall repairs, and older models may lack updated safety features^[10].
Label legibility: Over time, instruction labels may fade or become unreadable, preventing correct installation^[10].

For parents ensuring their children’s safety while traveling, understanding vehicle safety features matters. Learn what the airbag warning light means to stay informed about your vehicle’s safety systems.

Do Car Seat Bases Expire?

Yes, car seat bases have expiration dates too^[5]. Infant car seat bases generally have a 6-year lifespan. The expiration applies for the same reasons as the seat itself—material degradation and evolving safety standards.

If you purchase additional bases for multiple vehicles, each base has its own expiration based on its individual manufacture date. The base’s expiration date should be on a label located on the bottom or side of the base.

What to Do with an Expired Car Seat

Never donate, sell, or give away an expired car seat. Proper disposal prevents others from unknowingly using an unsafe seat^[4].

Trade-in programs: Retailers like Target periodically offer car seat trade-in events where you can exchange your expired seat for a discount on new baby gear^[4].

Recycling: Some communities accept car seats for recycling. Contact your local recycling center to verify they handle car seats. Before recycling^[4]:

Cut off fabric, foam padding, and harness straps
Remove metal components
Mark the plastic shell as expired or unsafe
Dispose of non-recyclable materials properly

Render unusable: If no recycling option exists, cut all straps, remove padding, and write “EXPIRED—DO NOT USE” on the shell before placing in the trash.

Key Takeaways

Car seat expiration labels are typically located on the back or bottom of the seat shell, but exact placement varies by manufacturer
Some seats display the actual expiration date; others show only the manufacture date, requiring you to calculate expiration
Most car seats expire 6-10 years after manufacture, with infant seats lasting shorter periods than all-in-one seats
If you cannot find expiration information, check the owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer with your model number
Never use, sell, or donate an expired car seat—render it unusable before disposal or participate in trade-in recycling programs

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still use a car seat past its expiration date?

No. Using an expired car seat is unsafe because the materials may have degraded in ways that compromise crash protection^[10]. The seat may also fail to meet current safety standards. Always replace an expired seat, regardless of its physical appearance.

Is the manufacture date the same as the expiration date?

No. The manufacture date (DOM) indicates when the seat was made, not when it expires^[1]. Calculate the expiration by adding the seat’s useful life (typically 6-10 years depending on the model) to the manufacture date. Some newer seats display both dates on the label for convenience.

How long are car seats good for if I can’t find the expiration date?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends treating car seats as expired after 6 years from the manufacture date if you cannot locate specific expiration information^[5]. When the manufacture date itself is unknown, do not use the seat.

Do car seats expire even if never used?

Yes. Material degradation occurs over time regardless of whether the seat has been used^[10]. A seat stored in a garage for 8 years has experienced the same aging and temperature exposure as one used daily. Always check the expiration before using any car seat, even one still in its original packaging.

Should I replace a car seat after a crash even if it hasn’t expired?

The NHTSA recommends replacing car seats immediately after any moderate or severe crash^[4]. Minor crashes may not require replacement if the vehicle was drivable, no injuries occurred, the nearest door was undamaged, airbags didn’t deploy, and there’s no visible damage to the seat.

References

Britax. (2025). Car Seat Expiration and Date of Manufacture: A Britax Guide. https://us.britax.com/knowledge-center/safety-testing-and-tips/car-seat-expiration-and-date-of-manufacture-a-britax-guide
Good Buy Gear. (2024). Deciphering Car Seat Labels: How to Find Important Info. https://goodbuygear.com/blogs/gear-guidance/important-car-seat-labels
The Car Mom. (2025). When Do Car Seats Expire? Ask A CPST. https://www.thecarmomofficial.com/family/when-do-car-seats-expire
Orbit Baby. (2025). When Do Car Seats Expire. https://orbitbaby.com/blogs/news/when-do-car-seats-expire
The Bump. (2025). The Lowdown on Car Seat Expiration Dates. https://www.thebump.com/a/car-seat-expiration
Simple Mechanic Advice. (2025). How To Check Car Seat Expiration Date (Easy Guide). YouTube.
Healthline. (2019). Car Seat Expiration. https://www.healthline.com/health/baby/car-seat-expiration
Safety 1st Consumer Care. (2025). Model Number, Date of Manufacture and Expiration Date. https://consumercare.safety1st.com/s/article/Where-is-the-model-number-and-date-of-manufacture-located-on-my-car-seat
Cosco Kids Consumer Care. (2025). Where can I find my model number and manufacturing date. https://consumercare.coscokids.com/s/article/Where-can-I-find-my-model-number-and-manufacturing-date
Adaptive Mall. (2024). Car Seat Expiration Dates. https://www.adaptivemall.com/car-seat-expiration-dates

Chien Nguyen Van

I am a senior automotive analyst at Autvex. Expert vehicle evaluations, in-depth reviews, and objective analysis helping readers make informed automotive decisions with years of industry experience.