Don’t Buy: Safety Risk – Orbit Infant System

Consumer Reports has identified a possible safety risk in a high-end infant “travel system” that combines features of an infant carrier, a stroller, and a car seat.

The product, the Orbit Infant System, was rated “Don’t Buy: Safety Risk” after the infant carrier detached from its car seat base in two of six simulated 30-mph frontal crash tests that Consumer Reports commissioned at an outside laboratory. We conducted the tests using the guidelines for speed and impact crash simulations dictated by the federal standard for child restraints.

Although the Orbit system, which retails for $900, is not among the overall leaders in terms of sales, it has carved out a niche in the market thanks in part to its popularity with A-list celebrities, some of whom offer testimonials on its Web site.

The system consists of an infant carrier that can be snapped into either a car seat base, for use in a vehicle, or a stroller base, for use when on foot. Thus, it offers convenience for parents who want to be able to lift their child out of a stroller into a car, or vice versa, with a minimum of hassle.

The Orbit was the only travel system in our tests to show any failures. The other two travel systems we tested, the Graco Stylus and Eddie Bauer Adventurer, stayed attached to their bases during the crash simulations.

Of the two failures in Consumer Reports’ tests, one occurred when the car seat base was attached using the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system that is featured on newer cars. The other failure occurred when the base was installed with the three-point (lap and shoulder) seat belt that is standard on modern cars. Six Orbit seats bought from retail merchants were tested. The other four passed our tests, and all findings were reviewed by an outside child-safety expert who has experience in child-restraint crash testing.

Consumer Reports shared its test results with Orbit Baby, and the company ran their own tests at the same laboratory and found no failures.

In a statement to Consumer Reports, Joseph Hei, chief executive officer of the Newark, Calif.-based company, said that Orbit Baby has never received any report of a child being injured while in an Orbit baby seat. “We do not believe the test results obtained by Consumers Union are indicative of the safety of our Infant Car seats,” Hei wrote in an e-mailed statement. “Our car seats are used by children, including our own, and safety is our top priority. We strongly believe in the quality of our product.” 

[UPDATES – 8/27/09 and 9/01/09: In later comments, the manufacturer questioned whether we had installed the seats exactly as the owner’s manual instructs and suggested that this may have contributed to our test failures. We explained why we disagree with the manufacturer and why we take intermittent test failures so seriously.

In a letter to parents who own the seat, Orbit Baby said it had run additional tests on the infant car seats, some of which used the same installation protocols that Consumer Reports had used. It reported that all seats met the federal safety standards, and that there were no seat separations. Consumer Reports and Orbit Baby each shared the results of our respective crash tests with The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and asked the agency to review the matter.

[UPDATE – 10/21/09: In a letter to Consumer Reports received yesterday, NHTSA confirmed that in its crash tests of the Orbit Infant Car Seat, the seat withstands the government thresholds for frontal crashes and is compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 213.

NHTSA’s letter said that the agency had run two rounds of tests. The first round of compliance tests took place at the same outside lab used by Consumer Reports and Orbit. Tests followed the standards for 30-mph simulated crashes required by FMVSS 213. None of the four seats tested for compliance detached from their bases. The agency’s compliance-test report concludes that the Orbit Infant Car Seat “met or exceeded” the standard safety requirement.

As part of its continuing research, the agency later ran a second round of tests replicating Consumer Reports’ test configurations and installation methods. Again, none of the four seats used for that research test detached from their bases. The agency said that it had also reviewed its database for safety related incidents associated with the seat, and had not found any consumer complaints concerning safety issues. It determined that “no further action is currently warranted” and said that it will continue to monitor the Orbit Infant Car Seat and include it in its annual compliance test program.

Despite the fact that NHTSA did not experience any detachments in its testing, Consumer Reports’ judgment remains that the Orbit Infant System may pose a safety risk. NHTSA is responsible for determining compliance and we applaud its efforts to do so swiftly in this case. Consumer Reports is responsible for ensuring that our tests are fair and accurate so that we can make useful recommendations to consumers. Our recommendations are based on individual results and on comparative performance. We believe that our tests were properly conducted in this case, and we stand by our findings.]

Consumer Reports advises that anyone who already owns an Orbit Infant System should strap the infant carrier directly, without the car seat base, into the back seat of a vehicle. Installed this way, the infant carrier passed our tests when it was secured using either a two-point (lap) belt or a three-point (lap and shoulder) belt. Obviously this makes the product somewhat less convenient to use. But used as a stroller, separate tests have showed the Orbit system to be perfectly safe.

When installing a car seat, if you’re having trouble getting it snugly in place, or if you want to check that you’ve done it correctly, you can go to a car seat installation checkpoint. To find the one nearest to you, go NHTSA’s Child Seat Safety Inspection Station Locator.
 
Meanwhile, for those in search of an alternative stroller, Consumer Reports recommends the Graco Stylus Travel System 7U02GA03 ($245). It passed all of our tests and was named a Best Buy. Subscribers can find our full stroller Ratings and reviews here.

Comments

[Bob Eagen]

Three years ago, our Orbit system came with a brightly colored tag attached to the base:

One side said, "To install this Base...".

The other said, "...turn this knob."

http://su.pr/27g2JC

The fact that CR continues to blacklist Orbit is fascinating.

[David]

In response to FS: A loose base is not the same as a tight base. Forces multiply. Before you add your thoughts again, I suggest you take a few minutes to learn some fundamental physics. I don't mean to offend, but yours is the kind of thinking that got Consumer Reports into this mess.

[David]

Just got another followup from Orbit Baby. "Though Consumer Reports has repeatedly tried to raise what they felt were safety concerns with our Infant Car Seat, their concerns have been refuted by every subsequent test and piece of research conducted by regulatory agencies and independent labs. " Lots of additional information too. Orbit Baby has been great about getting information to me. The only 'failure' in this whole mess is Consumer Reports. They should do the right thing and issue a retraction. To "stand by" their inadequate testing just weakens their name. Real world example: Yesterday I heard on the news about CR's testing of new chevy models. I immediately associated it with this fiasco and didn't believe a word.

[Paul]

Considering NHTSA's test results refuting Consumer Reports' testing results, I'm now thinking that Consumer Report's "engineers" failed to either latch the base on correctly to the vehicle's latch system or failed to secure the seat onto the base (an indication where you wouldn't see the "red" on the base). Not turning the StrongArm Knob certainly didn't help, either.

Consumer Reports is adament that its testing was done correctly, but yet still fails to disclose its test protocol, vehicle used, still photos, or test videos.

[FS]

Again, tightening the knob secures the base to the car. The problem was different: the *seat* detached from the *base*.

Now that the government tested without issues, I still thank CR for their concerns, and would suggest that anyone installing the orbit car seat get a professional to review their installation.

Thank you CR for being the only unbiased opinion out there. Please don't let a vocal few outweigh the silent majority.

[Brenda Murphy]

Don't let them bully you CR - stick to your standards!

[J. Mann]

As both a Consumer Reports subscriber, and an OrbitBaby system owner, I'm shocked and appalled that CR testing would think not using the tightening knob for their tests was OK to do. I can't tell how many times and places you read "Follow manufactures instructions to properly install your baby's car seat" when you become a parent these days. Only to find out CR fails to do so and publishes the results as though it where a proper installation.

I can only imagine that not tighting down the base would create a whiplash effect; which in my logic would generate more force then the the standard 30MPH. Take a rope pulled taught and have someone yank it. Now take the same rope with a bunch of slack in it and have the person yank it. I'm sure the slacked example would be harder to hold on to.

A week after we purchased our system I had a friend jokingly ask if I had welded the base into the back seat of the car because it was so snug. I wouldn't even think of having it any other way. This test and publication is just rotten to the core, and I've lost any faith I had in Consumer Reports.

Based on the blatant disregard for integrity in something I feel is important and a serious topic as a new parent, I will definitely not be renewing my membership. I will also now be reading the Consumerist(a CR sponsored site which I've donated to in the past) with a grain of salt and skepticism.

[FS]

One commenter stated that the strongarm knob wasn't tightened. This is irrelevant. The seat detached from the base, not the base detached from it's anchor to the car.

I am concerned, being an owner of an orbit baby car seat. Let's face it, coming down on CR isn't relevant either. Any person who sets up the car seat in line with the manufacturer instructions, then simulates a car crash at 30mph, resulting in the car seat detaching 2 out of 6 tests is not the result of a product that's been designed as well as it should be. So what if it's the 'tire lady' - lots of tire ladies are moms who follow manufacturer instructions in installing a car seat.

Orbit must quickly issue a recall and fix or replace the defective product. The massive cost of a recall will pale in comaprison to the cost of a lawsuit, especially now that Orbit is on notice.

[Rachel]

In my opinion, CR's testing has no credibility.

First, CR admits that it did not use Orbit's "StrongArm" knob. (See http://blogs.consumerreports.org/baby/2009/08/additional-information-on-orbit-infant-system-tests.html -- "Lab personnel installed the Orbit bases in our tests to meet the one inch condition and within the belt-tension range of the standard without needing to use the StrongArm mechanism.")

This is completely ridiculous -- the Orbit instructions clearly state that turning the StrongArm knob is a separate and specific step in the installation of the infant carseat. Moreover, you must turn the StrongArm knob regardless of whether you are using a LATCH or non-LATCH system. (Turning the StrongArm knob is Step 11 with LATCH (pp 34-35 of instruction manual; Step 8 with non-LATCH (pp. 40-41 of instruction manual)).

In fact, the Orbit instructions also specifically state that a user will generally have to turn the StrongArm knob "10 full revolutions"! (p. 34 for LATCH; p. 41 for non-LATCH).

Therefore, it is completely ridiculous that CR skipped this step, and installed the base without using the StrongArm knob.

CR should issue a retraction and an apology to Orbit.

[JOhn]

Why is there no video of the tests when they were conducted? You cannot blast a company without proof. I don't own one of these but people deserve sound hard evidence when you label them as hazardous.

[D. D. MD FACS]

As a surgeon with significant exposure to trauma, I just thought I'd mention that we are in the market for our first car seat and baby system. After conducting numerous research studies in several low-end and high-end baby stores, I have evaulated almost every infant carrier seat on the market. Not all are perfect, but most are less perfect than others. In fact, after spending hours playing with, and in some cases, trying to forcibly separate the two-piece system from their seats, I began to realize why this is such an issue. I think most seats that I have seen are crap. The cheaper the seat, the crappier its attachment system (or lack there of) and the less protection and comfort to the infant it seems to offer. You should study how the material of the cheaper seats affects skin breakdown on baby backsides. I think you would be shocked at your findings.

After reading the C-R reports, and after personally seeing each and every seat on the market, I could only find one conclusion: the majority of the low-end cost seats are low-end, and you get what you pay for. This being said, you might understand why honda is always 'the best pick', but you get what you pay for, and can't compare it to, let's say, a BMW of equal size.

Incidentally, my wife (initially alarmed by all the fuss, and being there intially totally against Orbit Baby while we examined every car seat together), finally agreed on one thing: the ORBIT BABY system is SUPERIOR.

I think C-R should film a small set of parents to be with NO EXPERIENCE fitting each and every seat system on the market to the test rig, without any guidance or intervention, and then allowing the rig to test their install. Then post the unbiased results and experience for all to see. Un-edited.

I can assure you of one thing: the Orbit Baby system would prevail, hands down, in every category, except cost. But wait-- remember one thing -- you get what you pay for.

C-R, you should retest the system with your experts per the manufacturer's exact instructions, and post the results ALONGSIDE the same tests on all the baby infant seats and systems by a set of NOVICE parents-to-be with no previous car seat exposure, and rank the seats appropriately. I think you would be surprised at your results.

Step up to the plate, and do your job -- due diligence. I challenge you, as does every parent-to-be on the market does, to do the right thing. Ball's in your court!

[Jay]

As an expert in biostatistics and medical device evaluation, I am baffled by the use of the term intermittent failure here. 2/6 failures is not intermittent, it is either a massive product failure or a massive test failure. In this case, it is clearly the latter. How can we trust an organization that can't admit to making a mistake. That is a very dangerous precident. Does anyone at CR have a university degree or even understand what they are talking about? And why is the "tire' lady testing car seats anyway?

[Amanda]

Interestingly, the 2007 car seat testing results debacle was the only time that CR has ever issued a retraction.

What is going on with Orbit is clear: CR knows that they lost a ton of credibility two years ago, and for their "experts" to admit having messed up again (and this soon) would perhaps be the final straw.

[Michelle Q.]

The irresponsibility of this blatantly erroneous report is absolutely reprehensible. A retraction and public, published apology are the very LEAST that are required now.

Did Consumer Reports not learn ANYTHING from their infant seat testing debacle a couple years ago??? I can tell you that *I* have learned something - not to trust CR results or recommendations in the slightest.

Reading IS fundamental, CR - there's a REASON every seat comes with an instruction manual.

[Maria]

Thank you so much Consumer Reports and Ms. Stockburger. Your article is a wonderful eyeopener. As a parent, I can't thank you enough for giving me peace of mind based on your research, Goes to show that the highest priced item isn't necessarily the best or safest!

[Paul]

The video states that Jennifer Stockburger is the Child Safety Program Manager. I'm curious to know her qualifications to become such a manager. I'm curious to know if she was the installer of the Orbit system.

According to Consumer Reports own website, Ms. Stockburger formerly worked with Pirelli Tires. She then joined Walbro Corp - a supplier of fuel delivery systems. Her bio indicates that her speciality is tires:

"Stockburger spends a considerable amount of time at the auto-test facility doing what she knows best--evaluating tires. She performs ride and handling assessments, measures tire noise, and judges how well the tires perform on snow and ice. She also tests wet and dry braking performance."

See site string for bio: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/new-cars/auto-test/the-people-behind-the-tests-jennifer-stockburger/index.htm

[Des Cahill]

Consumer Union/Report should pull this article from this website and issue an apology/retraction to OrbitBaby.

As a longtime CR subscriber (used to be print, now online) I rely on CR to be objective and intelligent in their testing so I can trust their recommendations.

I don't understand how CR would *not* follow the OrbitBaby carseat instructions yet claim that their tests were valid compliance tests.

Recent testing by both NHSTA and OrbitBaby in the *same* lab that CR used showed OrbitBaby passing all the tests - both when the lab used true compliance tests (meaning OrbitBaby instructions were followed) *and* when they used improper carseat installation and configuration methods that CR used in their tests.

The sad part is OrbitBaby suffering any brand and monetary damage over this episode. To me, and it sounds like to many other posters here, the big damage is to the CR brand. It would be good to see CR do the right thing here which would help minimize further damage to both parties.

[Patrick Maylock]

Consumer Reports has just lost their credibility by this publicity stunt. Question, Consumer Reports test technicians, what certifications do they have? Safety tests to be accurate, and legal, should be performed by engineers and not technicians. Consumer Reports do not own any test facilities, equipment, or hire any full time personnel to reach such conclusions and make their bold statement credible. RETRACT YOUR STATEMENT.

[Kate]

SHAME ON YOU Consumer Reports. SHAME. SHAME. I cancelled my subscription over this. I know i am only one little comsumer, but i wanted my message to be clear to them. They will not receive another penny of my money. I want their bottom line hurt as bad as the damage they have done to a truly innovative company trying to make the children's car seat world a safer place. Orbit now needs to defend a product that doesn't need defending. Prospective Orbit parents. Have confidence, the products are amazing and the customer service there for your needs. You will not be disappointed.

[Jana]

The NHTSA just tested the Orbit Infant Car Seat and it passed all tests. Guess CR needs to retract their statement...

http://www.orbitbaby.com/support/safetystatement.html

[Janice]

I just received this email from Orbit baby:
http://www.orbitbaby.com/support/safetystatement.html

Once again Consumer Reports fails to provide accurate information regarding the safety of car seats.

[Brian S]

have the orbit system and I, spending the money on this type of system, and my child's life possibly being on the line, throughly read the manual. I first installed the belts as tight as possible, then started turning the knob.

WOW, the knob moves and flexes in order to put as much pressure evenly upon the bottom and back of the vehicle seats. There is even a built in level to insure the installation is proper. This part is why I am keeping the system.

With the screw action you can see how secure the base is. If it was secured only by the belt, I would have returned the system even without Consumer Reports testing.

I have never even used this stroller yet and the care the creators took in all the details is amazing. I believe in the product and am disgusted by Consumer Reports.

[CPSDarren]

Looking past the question as to whether the results are legitimate or not, there were apparently failures. If some installation error on the part of Consumer Reports does eventually prove to be the cause of the failure, then it's also possible a parent could make a similar mistake. One thing is certain, misuse can result in injuries. If you have any question about the safety of your child seat, please follow the link in the article above to the NHTSA inspection station list or www.seatcheck.net if you are in Illinois. There are also free events nationwide on September 12th, National Seat Check Saturday.

[Sal]

Why was the test not done with the "StrongArm" mechanism. If the instructions manual instructs the person installing the seat to use it, then it should be used. The technicians that participated in this test have been trained to follow the manufacturers instructions when installing a C.S.S. There was absolutely no reason not to follow the instructions line by line. I am troubled to think that the technicians who participated in this group of tests allowed themselves to stray from their training and I feel that NHTSA and National CPS should look into the practices of the technicians.

[David]

CR will probably retract this, and if/when they do, I hope they are humble about it. However, they did a lot of damage. Lots of local news affiliates picked this up (as they should have). Anyway, I feel better after having talked to Orbit yesterday and after seeing the letter from their CEO. Let's all hope a child seat that fails 33% of the time never even makes it to the sales floor.