SeatCheck
Brand guide

When do Maxi-Cosi car seats expire?

8 to 12 years depending on the product; Mico infant seats 8 years, Pria and Emme 360 10 years.

Useful life: 8–12 years

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Maxi-Cosi's expiration policy

Maxi-Cosi, Dorel's premium brand, states that its car seat expiration dates range from 8 to 12 years depending on the product. The lifespan for each model is stated in its instruction manual, and every seat has a manufacture date sticker on the back.

By model family: Mico infant seats (Mico 30, Mico Max 30, Mico Max Plus) carry 8-year lifespans, the Pria convertibles are 10-year seats, and the Emme 360 rotating seat is a 10-year seat. If your manual is missing, Maxi-Cosi consumer care can confirm the lifespan from the model number and manufacture date on the sticker.

Maxi-Cosi calculates expiration from the manufacture date, not the purchase date, so a seat that sat in a warehouse or was bought secondhand has less usable life than its age at purchase suggests.

Where is the expiration label on a Maxi-Cosi seat?

All Maxi-Cosi seats have a sticker on the back of the seat with the date of manufacture and model number. The lifespan in years is stated in the instruction manual; combine the two to get the expiration date.

After a crash

Dorel's guidance tracks the NHTSA criteria: a seat must be replaced after a moderate or severe crash, and Dorel recommends replacing the seat even after a minor crash, including when the seat was unoccupied. Maxi-Cosi consumer care can provide documentation for insurance claims.

Flying with a Maxi-Cosi seat

Maxi-Cosi's harnessed seats are certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft in harness mode; the certification statement is on the seat's labels. Mico infant seats install on aircraft without the base. Booster configurations are not certified for aircraft.

Maxi-Cosi advertises some of the longest lifespans in the industry (up to 12 years on select products), which improves resale and multi-child value, but the manual for your specific model is what governs.

Maxi-Cosi shares Dorel consumer care with Safety 1st and Cosco; the same crash replacement and date lookup articles apply.

Safety note: SeatCheck summarizes manufacturer and NHTSA guidance, but the label on your own seat and its manual are the final word. When in doubt, contact the manufacturer with your model and serial number.

Popular Maxi-Cosi models

Mico (30 / Max 30 / Luxe) · 8 yrsPria (3-in-1 / Max) · 10 yrsEmme 360 · 10 yrs

Frequently asked questions

How long are Maxi-Cosi car seats good for?
Maxi-Cosi car seats expire 8 to 12 years after the date of manufacture depending on the product. Mico infant seats are 8-year seats, while the Pria convertibles and the Emme 360 rotating seat last 10 years. Your model's exact lifespan is stated in its instruction manual.
Where is the expiration date on a Maxi-Cosi car seat?
Maxi-Cosi puts a sticker on the back of every seat with the date of manufacture and model number. The lifespan in years is in the instruction manual, so you add the two together. If you no longer have the manual, consumer care can confirm the lifespan from the sticker information.
Does Maxi-Cosi require a new seat after a crash?
Replacement is required after a moderate or severe crash, and Dorel, Maxi-Cosi's parent company, recommends replacing the seat even after a minor one. Your auto insurer will often pay for the replacement; consumer care can supply the supporting documentation.
Can the Maxi-Cosi Mico fly on a plane?
Yes. The Mico infant seats are certified for aircraft use without the base, secured with the airplane lap belt. Maxi-Cosi's harnessed convertibles are also aircraft certified in harness mode. Any Maxi-Cosi being used as a belt-positioning booster cannot be used in flight.

Replacing an expired seat?

If your Maxi-Cosi seat is past its date, a current-generation replacement is safer and often easier to install.

Shop Maxi-Cosi car seats on Amazon →

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