Tampa Police Warn of Dangerous Counterfeit Car Seats

Authorities urge parents to only purchase car seats from trusted, authorized retailers to ensure child safety.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The Tampa Police Department is warning parents about the dangers of counterfeit car seats after discovering an illegitimate model during a routine safety check. Counterfeit car seats are often made with substandard materials and lack the structural integrity required to protect children in a crash. The department is advising parents to only purchase car seats from trusted, authorized retailers and to look for specific safety certifications and labels to verify authenticity.

Why it matters

Counterfeit car seats pose a severe risk to children's safety, as they are not required to meet federal safety standards and have not undergone the rigorous crash testing that legitimate models must pass. This issue highlights the growing problem of unauthorized retailers selling dangerous products that bypass important safety regulations.

The details

Certified Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) with the Tampa Police Department discovered the counterfeit car seat during a routine safety check event in early February. The seat had been purchased through the online marketplace TEMU. Upon identifying the fake seat, the technicians removed it from service and replaced it with a model that meets U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS 213).

  • The counterfeit car seat was discovered during a routine safety check event in early February 2026.

The players

Tampa Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that discovered the counterfeit car seat and is warning parents about the dangers of these unsafe products.

Certified Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs)

Technicians with the Tampa Police Department who identified the counterfeit car seat and removed it from service, replacing it with a legitimate, safe model.

TEMU

The online marketplace where the counterfeit car seat was purchased.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

The federal agency that sets safety standards for car seats and encourages consumers to report dangerous products.

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What they’re saying

“If you believe you or someone you know has a counterfeit car seat, stop using the seat immediately and return it to the seller or manufacturer.”

— Tampa Police Department (tampafp.com)

What’s next

Authorities encourage consumers to report any suspected counterfeit car seats to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of only purchasing car seats from trusted, authorized retailers to ensure child safety. Counterfeit products that bypass federal safety regulations can put children's lives at risk, and parents should be vigilant in verifying the authenticity of any car seat before use.