I’ve seen parents keep expired car seats in their garage for years because they didn’t know what to do with them. After testing hundreds of seats over the past decade, I can tell you that an expired car seat is a safety risk you don’t want sitting around — and there are better options than just tossing it in the trash.
Most car seats expire 6 to 10 years after their manufacture date. Once a seat expires, the plastics and foam can degrade, the harness webbing weakens, and the seat may no longer meet current federal safety standards. An expired car seat should never be used, sold, or donated.
Here’s exactly what to do with an old or expired car seat, from the best recycling programs to safe disposal methods.
View our lists of free car seat programs by type:
How to tell if your car seat is expired
Every car seat has an expiration date stamped or printed on it, usually on a sticker on the bottom or back of the seat. Here’s how to find it:
Look for a white label on the bottom or back of the seat that shows the manufacture date and expiration date. If you can only find the manufacture date, add the number of years specified in your seat’s manual (typically 6-10 years) to get the expiration date.
Different brands have different lifespans. Most seats last 6-7 years, but some premium brands like Maxi-Cosi offer 8-12 year lifespans. Check your specific model’s manual or the manufacturer’s website for the exact expiration period.
If the date label is missing or unreadable, treat the seat as expired and replace it. When in doubt, check the manufacturer’s website using the seat’s model number.
Why car seats expire
Car seats aren’t designed to last forever, and there are real safety reasons behind expiration dates:
Material degradation: The plastic shell, foam padding, and harness webbing break down over time from temperature extremes, UV exposure, and daily wear. A seat that sits in a hot car for years experiences significant material stress that isn’t always visible.
Evolving safety standards: Federal safety standards change. Starting December 2026, all car seats sold in the U.S. must meet new side-impact crash test standards. An older seat may not provide the same level of protection as a seat built to current standards.
Wear and tear: Harness adjusters can loosen, LATCH connectors wear down, and buckles may not click as securely. These small changes can add up to reduced protection in a crash.
NHTSA notes that expiration dates help consumers understand the expected useful life of their seat, even though there’s no federal law requiring expiration dates.
Option 1: Target car seat trade-in program
Target’s car seat trade-in event is the best option for most families. Here’s what you need to know for 2026:
Target typically holds two trade-in events per year — one in spring and one in fall. The spring 2026 event is expected around late April through early May. During the event, you can bring any car seat — expired, damaged, or crash-involved — to a designated drop-off box at your local Target store.
In exchange, Target Circle members receive a 20% off coupon for select baby gear, including new car seats, strollers, and other items. The materials are recycled through Ecotech Car Seat Recycling into products like pallets, plastic buckets, and construction materials.
Target accepts infant car seats, infant seat bases, convertible car seats, combination seats, and booster seats. You don’t need a receipt or proof of purchase.
To participate, download the Target app and sign up for Target Circle (it’s free). When you drop off the seat, scan the QR code on the collection box to activate your discount.
Option 2: Manufacturer recycling programs
Some car seat manufacturers run their own recycling programs:
Clek: Offers a mail-back recycling program. Pack the seat in its original box or a similar-sized box, purchase a shipping label from Clek’s website (approximately $50), and drop it at a UPS location. You’ll receive a 10% off coupon for future Clek purchases.
Other manufacturers: Check your car seat brand’s website for current recycling options. Programs change regularly, and some brands offer periodic recycling events or partner with local organizations.
Option 3: Local recycling programs
Many communities accept car seats through local recycling programs:
Contact your city or county waste management office to ask if they accept car seats in curbside recycling or at recycling drop-off centers. Some municipalities have special collection events for bulky plastic items that include car seats.
Fire departments and police stations in some areas also accept car seats for recycling, particularly during child passenger safety week in September.
If your area has a TerraCycle program, you can purchase a Zero Waste Box to recycle baby gear and children’s products, including car seats. Visit TerraCycle’s website for current options.
Option 4: Safe trash disposal
If no recycling option is available in your area, you can dispose of an expired car seat in the trash — but do it safely so no one pulls it out and reuses it:
Step 1: Remove the fabric cover and padding.
Step 2: Cut the harness straps so they can’t be reused.
Step 3: Write “EXPIRED — DO NOT USE” on the plastic shell with a permanent marker.
Step 4: Place it in a black trash bag so it’s not visible.
This prevents someone from finding the seat in the trash and using it for a child, which could be dangerous.
What NOT to do with an expired car seat
Don’t sell it. Selling an expired car seat is unsafe and potentially illegal in some states. Online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are full of expired seats being sold to unsuspecting parents.
Don’t donate it. Goodwill, Salvation Army, and most charities will not accept expired car seats. Even if they do, putting an expired seat back into circulation puts a child at risk.
Don’t give it away. Even to family members. If the seat is past its expiration date, it should not be used by anyone.
Don’t keep using it. An expired seat may not protect your child in a crash. The materials degrade in ways that aren’t always visible.
When to replace a car seat (even if it hasn’t expired)
Expiration isn’t the only reason to replace a car seat. Replace your seat immediately if:
It was in a crash: Any moderate-to-severe crash means the seat should be replaced, even if there’s no visible damage. Many manufacturers offer free crash replacement — check your brand’s website. Your auto insurance may also cover the cost.
It’s been recalled: Check the NHTSA recall database to see if your seat has been recalled. Some recalls require you to stop using the seat immediately.
Parts are missing or damaged: A seat with missing harness clips, cracked plastic, frayed straps, or a broken buckle should be replaced.
It doesn’t fit your child: If your child has outgrown the seat’s height or weight limits, it’s time to move to the next stage. Check our best-rated convertible car seats guide for top picks.
How to get a free replacement car seat
If you need a new car seat but cost is a barrier, there are programs that can help:
Every state has organizations that provide free or low-cost car seats to families in need. These programs are run through local health departments, WIC offices, hospitals, fire departments, and Safe Kids coalitions. Visit our complete guide to free car seats to find programs in your state.
You can also find a certified car seat technician who can check your current seat’s installation and help you determine if it needs to be replaced through the NHTSA car seat inspection locator.
For help choosing the safest replacement, see our comparison of the safest car seat brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do car seats really expire?
Yes. Most car seats expire 6-10 years after the manufacture date. The plastic, foam, and harness materials degrade over time, and older seats may not meet current safety standards. While there’s no federal law requiring expiration dates, NHTSA recommends following manufacturer guidelines.
Can I use an expired car seat in an emergency?
No. An expired car seat may not protect your child in a crash. If you need a car seat urgently and can’t afford one, contact your local health department or WIC office — most states have emergency car seat programs. See our free car seats guide.
When is Target’s next car seat trade-in event?
Target typically holds events in spring (April/May) and fall (September/October). The spring 2026 event is expected around late April. Check Target’s website or the Target app for exact dates.
Does Walmart have a car seat recycling program?
Walmart partnered with TerraCycle for a car seat recycling event in 2019, but it is not currently running as a regular program. Target’s trade-in events are the most reliable national option. Check Walmart’s website for any future programs.
Can I recycle a car seat in regular curbside recycling?
Most curbside recycling programs don’t accept car seats because they contain mixed materials (plastic, metal, fabric). Contact your local waste management office for specific guidance. Many areas have special collection events that accept car seats.
How do I know if my car seat has been recalled?
Check the NHTSA website and search by your car seat’s manufacturer and model number. You can also register your car seat with the manufacturer to receive recall notifications automatically.
