**SAFETY NOTICE FOR SELECT DESIGNS OF GRACO PASSAGE, SPREE AND ALANO STROLLERS – JANUARY 20, 2010**
**We have updated the images below to show additional hinge designs manufactured by Graco. Only strollers matching the top left photo are affected by this notice**
At Graco, we are committed to child safety and to providing the safest products possible for parents and caregivers. As another way to get the word out, we occasionally use the blog to share information on safety notices and updates.
Today we are announcing a voluntary recall for select Passage™, Alano™, and Spree™ model strollers manufactured by Graco prior to March 2008. This notice is meant to inform consumers of a potential risk of injury to small children caused by the canopy hinge on these models.
Graco has produced two (2) different styles of the canopy hinge for these stroller model numbers (in the top two photos below). Graco has also produced similar-looking hinge designs on other stroller models. Strollers or travel systems with the canopy hinge shown in the top left photo are the only strollers involved in this notice. All other hinge styles are NOT affected by this announcement. You can check to see if your model is affected here.
Strollers with the canopy hinge design shown in the top left photo above are the ONLY models affected.
If your stroller is affected by this safety notice, there is no need to return your product. Graco will provide a canopy hinge cover free of charge upon request.
In the meantime, we’re advising consumers to stop using their strollers, and to contact Graco to order a protective cover for the hinge.
To order a canopy hinge cover immediately, you may fill out an online order form here or call our consumer service line at 800-345-4109. Please allow roughly 7-10 business days for delivery. To find your stroller’s model number and manufacturing date , it can be found on a sticker located on the lower, inside portion of the rear frame, above the rear wheels. If you have a serial number instead of a date, the serial number can help you identify the date:
In an effort to further assist our customers, additional information, video demonstrations and instructions specific to this issue can also be found here:
• Frequently Asked Questions
• www.twitter.com/gracobaby
• Graco Recall and Safety Notifications Page
• Video Instructions on YouTube
If you have determined your stroller is affected, contact us to receive a protective hinge cover. Once you have received the cover, here are step-by-step instructions on how to apply the protective hinge covers to your stroller.
Step 1: Identify that you have the stroller model with the canopy hinge that is shown.
Step 2: Unsnap the protective cover and undo the hook and loop tape in order to place 
it around the canopy bar. Note the orientation of the snap for correct placement over the canopy hinge.
Step 3: Wrap snap end of cover around canopy bar as shown and fasten snap together.
Step 4: Close the canopy by pushing it toward the stroller handle. Facing the front of the stroller, slide the protective cover down the canopy bar so that the bottom portion of the protective cover is positioned as shown. MAKE SURE that the hook and loop tape of the protective cover are directly around the canopy hinge.
Step 5: Tightly wrap the protective cover around the canopy hinge and fasten the hook and loop tape by pressing firmly along entire length of it.
Step 6: Rotate and position the protective cover as shown making sure that the hook and loop tape and snap are inaccessible to the child. Verify that the canopy hinge is completely covered by checking that the snap and hook and loop tape are not visible.
Step 7: Repeat same process on opposite side of the stroller on the other canopy hinge. DO NOT REMOVE the protective covers once they have been installed.
Please see below for a video demonstration on how to apply the protective hinge covers to your stroller:
Have additional questions? Feel free to contact us in any of the following ways:
• U.S. consumer service line: 1-800-345-4109
• Canada consumer service line: 1-800-667-8184
• Order form for protective covers
• International contact information
• Graco Web site
• Graco “Contact Us” Page
• Twitter
• Video Instructions on YouTube
I clicked the link for the form but no form shows up, just information. What am I missing?
Is the model number 7425CLE2 affected?
Hi Shannon – You just need to click on the photo that matches your hinge design and you can order your cover from there.
Kelly – Check out http://pages02.net/newellrubbermaid/gracobaby/canopy1 – Here you can check your model number and manufacturing date, plus compare photos to confirm whether or not your model is affected. If it is, you can order a protective cover from there.
http://pages02.net/newellrubbermaid/gracobaby/Order_Form/
On this page, the colors are labeled incorrectly. The brown is labeled “Sage,” the grey is labeled “Chocolate Brown,” and the solid green is labeled “City Grey.”
Also, it would be very helpful if Graco would publish pictures of other unaffected styles of hinge. My 7425CLE has a hinge that looks *almost* exactly like the affected one, but Graco tells me it is unaffected. It works and looks so similar that I can hardly believe it’s unaffected.
Erin, Thanks for the heads up. I’ll check on the colors. Does your stroller have a hinge piece that is flat instead of having the indented portions?
I am really disappointed. Safety comes first, but seriously this is going to be ugly! I really wish Graco would offer it in more colors to match more strollers. When you pay $$$ you expect a good product.
How do I figure out the manufacturing date. I only have model # and serial #
Your serial number actually is the date – so 01012007 is 01/01/2007. Hope that helps!
My stroller is one of the affected model numbers and was manufactured 05/27/2006. The hinge looks exactly like the one pictured, but the website is saying it’s unaffected. How is that possible?
Nevermind. You might want to make sure that people know this:
IF YOU TYPE THE MODEL 3 IN LOWERCASE, IT WILL SAY THE MODEL IS UNAFFECTED. IF YOU TYPE IT IN UPPERCASE AS IT’S PRINTED ON THE LABEL, THEN IT WILL SAY IT’S AFFECTED. Graco should fix that issue ASAP!
D – Thanks for that info. We’ll check on that right away.
I have an the affected stroller with the hinges but I cannot tell where the date is, The serial number does not translate to a date code. The model is as follows 7G04KRA3 serial is 0628073338. What is the date? can I just makeup a date
Chris- with that serial number the date is 06-28-07.
I just wanted to let you know that this happened to my little girl too. Around 2 months ago she got her finger stuck in the canopy and it ripped a lot of the skin off of her finger and was badly bruised. There is now a scar on her finger.
my model number is 7M00DCF3 it looks exactly like one of your stollers in the pictures and everything. The hinge also looks exactly like the one in your pictures, however the model number isn’t in the list of effected hinges. Could it be possible that you missed a couple models or is it not effected?
my model number is 7241DH03 and there is no date printed on the label of my stroller. The serial number is 1217071055. When I tried to use the date 12/17/2007 it tells me that my model is not affected, but on the Graco page and yours as well, it is part of the recall, and it does have the hinge that needs a cover. I can’t even find my stroller on the website, or the travel system that it belongs to. Was it discontinued? I just need to know what to do to get the parts I need. Thanks!
yeah andrea mine is the same way i tried to order mine under the right picture but its saying it isnt’ effected, however mine isn’t saying the model is effected on their list of things but its saying its in the set time frame
I don’t exactly know where to look to find the model number but if i did find it.. i believe it is 6669225.. either that or its 20P3963. its a green and tanish yellow winnie the pooh one. it has leaves on the trim of the canopy. its not classic pooh. i don’t really know how else to describe it. but i could use some help!! please and thank you!!
k i found the model number.. 1755703.. is it recalled?
It would be nice if the page you direct consumer to for order replacement covers actually allowed you to order replacement covers. I am surprised Graco isn’t taking this more seriously and ensuring that their website is actually allowing consumers to order material to protect their children.
I understand recall may happen from time to time but if you are going to do a recall, make sure you actually provide them means for consumers to receive the “fix.”
Additional question. Do you provide covers that match the color of the stroller or will it be an off-color eyesore?
Kirk – This page allows you to order the protective cover online. http://pages02.net/newellrubbermaid/gracobaby/canopy1
You just need to click on the image at the bottom of the form that matches your hinge design. You can then order the covers from there. We are also offering the covers in five different colors to match different stroller fashions.
We are taking this announcement very seriously and have made information available on our Web site, blog, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, and we are also available through customer service at 800-345-4109.
Please let me know if you have additional questions.
Whitney, Sue and Andrea – The only models affected are those in “Photo A” with the notches in the hinge design. Can you check to make sure yours have the notches? If so, I would go ahead and order the hinge covers by clicking on the section of the form on the second page that says: If you believe your hinge has been affected but do not know your model number or manufacturing date, click here. You will first need to click on the image that matches your stroller hinge. The form can be found here: http://pages02.net/newellrubbermaid/gracobaby/canopy1
kelly – i have clicked on the photo the matches my stroller almost exactly (colors is different) and when i go to put in my stroller model number and manufacturing date its saying it wasn’t effected. However its the same hinge.. i was just confused on if somehow my stroller was different then the rest but it still looks the same
Sue – I just posted some additional photos. Can you take a look at those and let me know if the one in the top left is still the closest match? Thanks!
kelly – thank you, for the additional photos, my design matches more like the bottom left instead of the top left.. it just looked so much like the other one and acted like you said the other one did that i couldn’t believe that it was different. but yes i see from you other photos they are slightly different. thank you again for checking for me and clarifying for me that there are other design types not effected.
No problem! Hopefully this will help other people that might have the same question. Thanks for getting in touch with us.
Did Graco seriously just send out a mass email advertisement through Destination Maternity this morning for one of the recalled strollers? I realize it may be a newer model that isn’t affected, but that is really concerning.
My stroller has the hinges just like on the pictures, and I need covers. I was able to get through on the !800 number, but it was automated, and it verified my name and address by my phone number, and said to stop using the stroller and the part will arrive at my address within a couple weeks I believe. Do you know if they will send one cover for each side? Or do I need to order another one as well? The website is still saying that my stroller isn’t affected so that’s no help. Thanks!
Hi Andrea, Yes, they will send you a set of two covers so you don’t need to order anything else.
These covers are SO UGLY. Glad I could spend several hundred on GRACO baby products when my son was born to already have 2 of them recalled. This company has some serious issues
It appears that once the cover is on you can no longer use the canopy. I will be extremely displeased if that is in fact the case. I don’t see how this is a fix if you can no longer protect your child from wind, rain or snow. Can anyone verify if I am right and it can no longer be used?
Mary- you can absolutely use the canopy when the protective cover is in place. If you receive your fix kit and are having trouble using the canopy with the protective covers in place, please let us know though that shouldn’t be the case.
I have to say that I am EXTREMELY disappointed with what the resoloution is to the current “issue” Graco has come across with certain strollers. Graco’s customer’s have not only put their hard earned money into these strollers,but even worse,we’ve been putting the love of our live’s into these strollers! And all Graco has to offer us consumers,is some little peice of fabric to put over the hinge?? I have one thing to say….I WILL NEVER BUY GRACO PRODUCTS AGAIN. VERY DISAPPOINTED.
I totally agree Kaitlin! We spent quite a bit of money on our travel system. I am disappointed that my child’s safety was compromised. I also disappointed with this “fix”. Seriously, it looks like a cloth diaper. Oh and my Travel System is Navy blue with light yellow accents. So how will brown, grey, light blue/green, pink, or sage match? Yeah, they won’t! Thanks Graco.
I would like to return my entire Graco set that I bought. Who do I need to call in order to do this? I don’t think a piece of cloth is a suitable fix when my son can just pull it off. I was concerned in 2009 when he nearly did severely injure his fingers on the canopy device and I am extremely concerned now, knowing there is a recall on the product. I am very surprised with Graco’s reputation in the industry they are coming up with such a band aid fix for the problem. When Tylenol had their recall in 1982 they didn’t just recall the specific batch number of tablets they recalled over 31 million bottles across the globe. I would have thought Graco would gladly replace these strollers and travel sets etc. rather than risk injuring children across the nation. I have no intention of putting my child anywhere near our Graco stroller until a suitable replacement is found. Kelly, I am sure many of the folks here appreciate your comments on here but I would like to have a representative from Graco contact me to discuss a replacement product. I buy products such as Bose, BMW, and Porsche because of their commitment to their product. I would expect Graco to live up to these comparable name brands and live up to their quality standards as well.
Hi Jamie, Thanks for your comments and I’m sorry you feel that way. I will make sure someone from our customer service department gets in touch with you right away to discuss this with you. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do. -Kelly
So the Graco Metrolite is O.K.? Just want to be 100% sure. Thanks.
I received and installed the covers as per the directions that were included. With the covers installed you CAN NOT open that canopy all the way. When you open it all the way the covers cause the canopy to close halfway. This is a bad design and I am not satisfied at all!!
Hi Michael, If you open and close the canopy a few times it should help loosen the elastic and won’t fit so tightly. I hope that helps.
I am very dissapointed in this quick fix for the stroller I searched high and low for. I understand “things happen”..but come on!..At least show they care a little and make it with plastic , I can save myself the time with all this form filling and tie a rag around it myself! Thanks a bunch Graco!! NEVER AGAIN..
It is amazing how a large company, such as Graco can take this situation as cover up with such a cheap “band aid”. If Graco is taking it so seriously, why don’t you put the brilliantly minded people that thought of this hinge system on here to answer questions rather than someone that is being told what to say. I am sure Graco’s lawyers have gotten very nervous about this. Graco, fix the problem, don’t cover it up. Our children’s livlihood depends on it. Thank you
I am wondering when or if these strollers will be available again? I LOVED the Graco Abbington stroller system and with the recall it’s been pulled from websites. Will it be available (with safety features fixed) again soon? Baby’s coming in a few weeks!
I am of the same mind as Jamie Shreeves. It’s a disappointment that an appalling piece of cloth is offered as a band-aid to a serious defect in the product. Doesn’t the term “recall” mean a return of goods that are determined to be defective? Why is Graco unwilling to replace these faulty products? Why, instead, does Graco choose to offer a cheap cover-up to “fix” (i.e. hide) the problem? Furthermore, it appears very little effort was made to ensure customers willing to take the quick fix option are easily able to get the cover. What a shame. I believe it might be time to patronize another company – one that takes customer service a bit more seriously.
I along with the many others am VERY disappointed in how GRACO plans to fix this… are you kidding me have they been around 3 year olds, they do not leave anyhing alone!! I ordered the cover just because its free for me, but I am sure it cost them a few bucks to make and send it, and since they dont care that I spent hard earned money on their product, I am gonna take whatever I can from them. And when I recieve the “band-aids” they to will see dumpster as the stroller did!! I am very upset about this! My children come first, and I am very sorry to the children and parents who had to live with the pain of what these strollers did to them and to see the company not really caring! GRACO will not be getting my money anymore! (oh and have you heard of the “word of mouth” effect?)
P.S. ANNE….DONT BY ONE!!!!
I received my hinge covers. I put them on as per the instructions it came with. I verified that I put them on correctly by watching the video too. But now I cannot use my canopy!!! Also when I fold up my stroller the velcro comes undone!!! So when I re-open the stroller I have to re-attach the covers!!! This is not a good fix at all. I’m taking the covers off so that can actually use my stroller and just pay attention to where my kids fingers are instead.
I am also having the same problem as several others. I followed the written directions and the video directions while installing the protective covers. Now, when I fold down the canopy it folds up halfway. The elastic does not stretch after several uses, either. Not at all a good fix to the problem. How disappointing!
Hi, I have the 7260PKR model which is affected according to your webpage, but I could’nt fulfill the replacement order. Seems like the kits are all “sold-out” and out of stock. When can I try to order it again?
Also, I’m not located in the US. I live and bought the stroller (more than 4 years ago, when my first son was born) in Chile. I’m very concerned about this safety issue because now it’s my 16 months’ daughter which uses the stroller and she is very hyperactive, and i’m worried she can eventually press her fingers. Of course now I’ll stop using the stroller until I can receive the kit, so please can anyone tell me when they will be available again and would you send it to Chile?
I echo the comments of several prior posters. When you put the covers over the canopy hinges, the canopy will not stay in the down position. It springs about halfway back to the up position…useless for sun protection. Working the hinge back and forth many times does not stretch the cover enough to allow the canopy to stay down, either. And although my child is only 17 months old now, I would bet an older child could open the velcro covers easily. I could make a safer and more functional cover myself with a couple of cloth diapers and some tie wraps. Basically, Graco’s solution makes the canopy useless and you still can’t trust it to keep the child’s fingers safe. Because the child could undo the velcro. If you can’t trust the covers, what good are they? You’ll still have to stand in front of the stroller to open and close the canopy so you can visually confirm the child’s hands are away from the hinges. Or you are taking chances. I hope the covers don’t give people a false sense of security.
The stroller I got for my granddaughtes 2 years ago was one of the ones that has been recalled. We received a letter in the mail. When I went to get the replacement kit I also found out that they were out of stock. Do they not know how many they made? I’m very disappointed in Graco. I’ve used there products for my children and now my grandchildren but, not any more.