The graco infant car seat/carrier, model# 8458 hh, will not attach safely to the car seat base when the upper position shoulder strap locations are used to secure the infant. When the upper shoulder strap location slots are used, the straps are joined by a metal juntion to the tightening strap, forming a "Y". because the shoulder straps are too short, even when used with a small infant (<13 lbs) and without bulky clothing, this junction piece and the "Y" formed by the two shoulder straps and the tightening strap interfere with the main latch mechanism to the car seat base. The result is that the car seat can appear to be located in the seat base properly, but unlatched. Furthermore, due to the interference of the straps and the latch mechanism, the shoulder straps become displaced to one side of the latch housing/protrusion underneath the car seat. This results in uneven tension on the shoulder straps securing the child in the seat -- I.e., one shoulder strap is tight while the other is loose. The model of the graco infant car seat is 8458 hh, serial # is MM0519990643, manufacture date: 05199, shoulder straps number F12217, lot id 175191-02, 263630, Apr 99 (as shown on the tag). I contacted graco at their cusomter assistance phone number (888 224-6549) on 10/25/99. The graco representative informed me that they were "aware of this problem" and they believed they were "working on it" but she had no information on whether or not a service/replacement part(s) would be made available and when graco might have further information regarding this safety problem. This is completely unacceptable! our newborn son is approximately 2-1/2 months old, and this problem has rendered the infant car seat unsafe and useless. Even if the car seat is used without the base to avoid the latch interference problem, the straps will not fit evenly on the child and will not have enough length to accommodate the child during winter months with bulky clothes or as he gets larger!

- Novi, MI, USA