(MONEY Magazine) – Study the list of this year's car-seat recalls on page 26 very carefully. You could be strapping your youngster into a seat that's far from safe because of, say, a wobbly latch or belts. Since 1982, the National Highway Traffic Safety $ Administration, a federal agency, has recalled nearly 20 million faulty car seats. Just this past October, almost a million Century seats were called back for repairs: the Century 3000 STEs, the 3500 STEs, the 5000 STEs and the 5500 STEs, all manufactured between September 1989 and April 1992. (Two of those and a Gerry Guardian seat recalled by NHTSA in 1992 are shown below.) Yet despite this deplorable record, parents generally don't get letters or calls if their seats are recalled by NHTSA. In fact, only one in four of the recalled seats have been repaired or returned. By contrast, 55% of car owners get their recalled autos fixed. The reason: Most car-seat manufacturers don't keep customer records. ''A child's safety is paramount to parents,'' says Barry Felrice, an official at NHTSA, ''so I'm sure they would take the time to get seats fixed if they knew there was a problem. But now we simply don't know where they are.'' That will soon change. Beginning in March 1993, NHTSA will require all new car seats to have registration cards attached to them, so consumers who fill out the cards and send them in can be notified quickly and easily in the event of a government recall. The safety seats will also have the manufacturer's name and phone number imprinted on them. That should be helpful too, since parents frequently give friends their car seats when their children outgrow them. In addition to the list at right, you can check on older car-seat models that have been recalled by phoning NHTSA (800-424-9393). The agency will even send you a free 47-page listing of all its recalls over the past 10 years as well as the manufacturers' phone numbers and NHTSA's recommendations in the event your seat is faulty.

BOX: THE CAR SEATS THAT WERE RECALLED THIS YEAR

Here are the 27 child-safety-seat models recalled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this year, plus advice about what to do if you own one of them. If your child's car seat isn't listed here, unfortunately you can't assume that it's safe. Indeed, more than 20 million seats were recalled in the past 10 years. And many popular child-seat manufacturers -- Evenflo (800-837-8926) and Kolcraft Enterprises (800-453-7673), for example -- have had several recalls just in 1990 and 1991.

Manufacturer/models Reasons for recall What to do

CENTURY 22 models with lot Nos. 8909 to 9204 1

Reasons for recall It can be difficult to remove the child because the release button may move.

What to do Call 800-231-2755 for a retrofit kit.

Manufacturer/models COSCO The 02-086 models that were made from Nov. 1, 1987 to Feb. 10, 1988

Reasons for recall The foam pad can create a choking hazard since the seat covers are not sealed.

What to do Call 800-544-1108 to replace the seat cover with one that has sewn seams.

Manufacturer/models FISHER-PRICE 9100, 9101, 9104

Reasons for recall The buckle may not lock or the belts can come loose.What to do

What to do Call 800-432-5437 for replacement parts.

Manufacturer/models GERRY GUARDIAN Seats made from Jan. 31 to May 3, 1990

Reasons for recall The child can unbuckle the restraint because the release is not stiff enough.

What to do Call 800-845-8813 for a replacement kit.

Notes: 1 A dozen Century models were also recalled because of inaccurate instructions in Spanish. Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration