Buckle Crunch

Left Pic: Buckle Crunch. Right Pic: No Buckle Crunch

Buckle Crunch occurs when fitting a restraint using the vehicle’s seat belt.

The vehicle’s actual seat belt buckle should not be pulled into or across the frame of the child restraint. Buckle stalks and seat belts should sit lower and should not interfere with the child's seat. This could cause the buckle to break in the event of a crash.

When using the vehicle's seat belt to secure a child restraint, it is important that you eliminate buckle crunch. The vehicle's seat belt casing can sit on a wrong angle adding pressure to the casing and could potentially crack or shatter in the event of an impact. Buckle crunch means the restraint is not correctly fitted or able to perform to its full potential in the event of an impact.

Buckle Crunch typically occurs when the vehicle seat belt is on a longer stalk. If you have buckle crunch now… Do you have an option to move the seat into an approved alternative position in the vehicle?

If not, replacing the child restraint is the only option.