BRITAX E9L06 (MARATHON) Complaints

I NOTICED FROM THE BEGINNING, WHEN I BOUGHT THE CARSEAT, THAT WHEN I PUT THE BUCKLE ON, ONE SIDE DIDN'T CLICK (ALTHOUGH WHEN TUGGING HARD ON IT, IT DIDN'T BUDGE). FOR THE PAST MONTH OR TWO, I'VE NOTCIED A COUPLE ALARMING THINGS ABOUT OUR CAR SEAT, WHICH ARE LEADING US TO BUY ANOTHER ONE. WHEN I ADJUST THE SHOULDER STRAPS AFTER MY SON IS BUCKLED IN (THE NEW STRAP THAT WE RECEIVED AFTER THE RECALL), EVEN WHEN I PULL ON THE STRAP, IT DOESN'T ALWAYS ADJUST, AND SOMETIMES WHEN IT DOES TIGHTEN, WHEN I PULL ON THE CHEST STRAP AREA TO CHECK IT, IT LOOSENS AGAIN. THE OTHER THING I NOTICED IS THAT I DECIDED, AFTER RESEARCHING MORE, TO TURN MY SON'S CAR SEAT REAR FACING AGAIN (HE'S ALMOST THREE). WHEN I TRIED TO USE THE LOCK OFFS (WHICH AHVE NEVER BEEN USED), I NOTICED THAT BOTH SIDES DO NOT STAY LOCKED. WHEN YOU PUCH THEM DOWN, THEY COME OPEN AGAIN...EVEN IF THE SEAT BELT IS NOT IN THE LOCK OFF.

DT: THE LEVER BETWEEN THE CHILD'S LEGS CAN BE EASILY OPENED BY THE CHILD. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THE CONSUMER NEEDED TO DISCIPLINE THE CHILD, AND PUT A SAFETY PIN TO SECURE THE FLAP TO KEEP THE CHILD FROM OPENING THE SEAT BELT, AND THAT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP. *AK *JB

THE INSTRUCTIONS STICKER ON THE SIDE OF THE BRITAX MARATHON REVERSIBLE CHILD SEAT CLEARLY STATES "THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS RECOMMENDS FORWARD FACING UNTIL AT LEAST 1 YEAR OF AGE AND 20 POUNDS." THIS IS CLEARLY WRONG!!!! BABIES SHOULD BE BACKWARDS FACING UNTIL 1 YEAR OF AGE. IF BUYERS USE THIS AS A GUIDE, THEY ARE PUTTING THEIR CHILD IN DANGER!!!

THE IDENTIFICATION STICKER ON THE BRITAX MARATHON CHILD SEAT WAS GONE. *MR THE IDENTIFICATION STICKER HAD WORN OFF THE CAR SEAT. THE PAPER WAS GONE BUT THE ADHESIVE WAS STILL IN PLACE. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO HAVE THE CERTIFIED INSTALLER CHECK THE SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ISSUE A REPLACEMENT STICKER. *SC *JB

THE LEVER ATTACHED TO THE CHILD SEAT CAN BE DISCONNECTED BY THE CHILD AFTER BEING SECURED BY THE CONSUMER.*AK THE CONSUMER'S CHILD WAS ABLE TO DISCONNECT THE SAFETY STRAPS WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. THE CONSUMER FEELS THE LEVER TO UNDO THE STRAPS IS TOO EASY TO DISCONNECT. *NM

BASED ON CONSUMER REPORTS' FINDINGS ON THE PROBLEMS WITH USING LATCH WITH BRITAX MARATHON (HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERREPORTS.ORG/MAIN/CONTENT/DISPLAY_REPORT.JSP?FOLDER%3C%3EFOLDER_ID=579525&BMUID=1112720257765), THE COMPANY SHOULD RECALL THEIR CAR SEATS.*AK

THE RUBBER ATTACHED TO THE HARNESS OF THE CHILD SEAT HAS POINTED EDGES. THE CHILD HAS STARTED TO BITE THEM AND THE RUBBER HAS COME OFF OF THE TIPS. THE CHILD HAS ATTEMPTED TO EAT THEM ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED NOTHING CAN BE DONE. MODEL E9L0605. *JB *NM

NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR RECALL ON ADJUSTING STRAPS FOR BRITAX MARATHON MODEL # E9L0677, DOM 11/18/2003. *AK

BRITAX MARATHON MODEL # E9L060. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR RECALL ON ADJUSTING STRAPS. *AK

NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04C002000 ON THE A-LOCK WEBBING SLIPPAGE. NO PARTS AVAILABLE. *AK