Product Warning
Volvo integrated booster cushions bear incorrect weight use information
February 28, 2006

Transport Canada is warning consumers that certain Volvo model vehicles are equipped with integrated or built-in booster cushions that are inappropriately labelled for use by children weighing between 15 and 36 kg (33 and 80 pounds).

Integrated or built-in booster cushions are designed as an integral part of the vehicle seating system for the purpose of seating a child in an elevated position on the vehicle seat in order to correctly position the vehicle seat belt over the child's body.

Transport Canada is advising owners and operators of these vehicles that these integrated booster cushions should only be used by children weighing at least 18 kg (40 pounds). Children weighing less than 18 kg (40 pounds) will obtain optimum protection when properly restrained in a child restraint system with an internal harness. Moreover, the use of booster cushions by children weighing less than 18 kg (40 pounds) is prohibited in several provinces in Canada.

Since July 2005, Transport Canada has received a number of inquiries from members of the public concerning Volvo integrated booster cushions. Specifically, the weight range of the children for whom the integrated booster cushions were designed, as recommended by Volvo, is inconsistent with that of non-integrated or add-on booster cushions.

The Motor Vehicle Restraint Systems and Booster Cushions Safety Regulations require that every non-integrated or add-on booster cushion have a label affixed to it that indicates that the booster cushion is for use by children who weigh at least 18 kg (40 pounds). However, the requirements governing integrated booster cushions as set out in section 213.4, "Built-in Child Restraint Systems and Built-in Booster Cushions," of the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (MVSR) do not include any requirement for a minimum weight use limit.

The department has undertaken steps to amend the labelling requirement of CMVSS 213.4 to add the minimum weight use limit of 18 kg (40 pounds), thereby reconciling the minimum weight threshold between integrated and non-integrated booster cushions.

Transport Canada informed Volvo Cars of Canada Corp. of this issue and solicited their cooperation in rectifying this situation in order to ensure that the safety message being conveyed to the Canadian public is consistent across all booster cushion applications.

The department has recommended that Volvo Canada forward letters to owners of affected Volvo vehicles advising that these integrated or built-in booster cushions should only be used by children who have outgrown their child restraint system, and who weigh at least 18 kg (40 pounds).

For sold units, Volvo Canada will ensure that the information stated and provided with the vehicle will be updated to reflect the minimum weight use limit of 18 kg (40 pounds). In addition, label changes will be made for the 2007 model year Canadian Volvo vehicles effective May 2006.

To date, there have been no reported injuries associated with the use of the integrated booster cushions in Volvo vehicles.