Recalls in January 1970

October 28, 2004
Kyocera is recalling the batteries in about one million cell phones. Some of the batteries may be counterfeit. This can cause the batteries to short-circuit, overheat and pose burn hazard to consumers.

Kyocera has received 14 reports of battery failures, resulting in smoke and minor property damage. Two minor burn injuries have been reported.

The recalled batteries are included in Kyocera Slider, K400, and 3200 Series cell phones. Below is additional information about the cell phones and recalled batteries:

The phones were sold at: ALLTEL, Virgin Mobile, Cricket Communications, MetroPCS, US Cellular and Verizon Wireless stores nationwide; telemarketing retailers; various Web sites; and regional phone carriers sold the cell phones with the recalled batteries. The 3200 Series and K400 Series phones were sold from December 2003 to September 2004 for between $30 and $100. Slider Series phones were sold from May 2004 to September 2004 for between $30 and $170. The recalled batteries were also sold separately during the same periods for between $30 and $60.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled batteries in their cell phones. Kyocera will contact consumers directly to arrange for delivery of a free replacement battery. If consumers with recalled batteries are not contacted by Kyocera, they should call the company to receive a free replacement battery. The batteries should be stored in an environment with non-flammable materials.

Consumer Contact: Call Kyocera Wireless Corp. toll-free at (866) 559-3882 between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or request a replacement battery online at www.kyocera-wireless.com.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

May 14, 2004
McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals is alerting consumers that one manufacturing lot of Johnson & Johnson Children's Motrin (ibuprofen) Grape Chewable Tablets may mistakenly contain Tylenol 8-Hour extended release (acetaminophen) Geltabs. Lot # JAM108 was distributed nationwide to wholesale and retail customers between February 5 and April 1, 2004. The bottles are labeled as containing 24 tablets.

The Tylenol 8-Hour product provides an adult dose of acetaminophen, and use of this adult product could provide more than the recommended dose (overdose) for children. The mislabeled bottles appear to be the result of a packaging error for this one lot. To date, two mislabeled bottles have been identified but no injuries have been reported as a result of this issue.

The two medicines are visibly different. Children's Motrin Grape Chewable Tablets are round, purple-colored, scored tablets with the letters MO and the number 50 on the tablet surface. These tablets have a non-glossy finish and a grape smell. The Tylenol 8-Hour Geltabs are hard, round, gelatin coated and shiny. The geltabs are white on one side, red on the other, with "8 Hour" printed in blue on either the red or the white side.

Consumers can identify the manufacturing lot number that is embossed on the carton end flap, and printed on the bottle label under McNeil's address as "Exp 1/06 JAM108". Anyone identifying one of the bottles included in this consumer alert should contact McNeil's Consumer Relationship Center at 1-800-962-5357.

Parents who believe their children may have taken Tylenol 8-Hour Geltabs, believing them to be Children's Motrin Grape Chewable Tablets, should contact their health care provider or a poison control center immediately.

If you think your child may have taken an adult dose of acetaminophen, you should call the National Poison Control Center Hotline at 1-800-222-1222.

For more information on this consumer alert, or to report an adverse event, call McNeil's Consumer Relationship Center at 1-800-962-5357.

WASHINGTON, May 17, 2001 -- COMBI International Corp. is voluntarily recalling about 4,100 activity rockers to replace their toy bars. One of the toys, a clear plastic ball can crack and break during use, exposing the small beads inside, posing a choking hazard to young children.

The toy bar is an attachment to the COMBI activity rocker. The toy bar has three toys, including a blue plastic bear, a yellow plastic mirror and a clear plastic ball with small colorful beads inside. The clear ball also has a red ring around it. The recalled toy bars are on activity rockers with model numbers #9710-0 and #9710-1 and lot numbers 7000-10102 and 5000-6034 located on the frame of the rocker. Juvenile specialty stores, including The Right Start, Buy Buy Baby and Burlington Coat Factory nationwide sold the rockers from November 2000 through February 2001 for about $70.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Consumers should immediately detach the toy bar from the activity rocker and discard it and call COMBI to receive a free replacement toy bar. For more information, contact COMBI at (800) 992- 6624 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday. Consumers also can visit the firm's website at www.combi-intl.com. Media inquiries should be directed to Lynne Cyr at (630) 871-0404 Ext. 215.

June 3, 2004
A San Diego jury has awarded a woman paralyzed in a Ford Explorer rollover $246 million in punitive damages, in addition to $122 million in compensatory damages. It is the first of about a dozen Explorer rollover cases that Ford has lost.

Plaintiff Benetta Buell-Wilson, 49, had asked for up to $27 million in compensatory damages. Instead the jury awarded her a total of $369 million. She has offered to waive $100 million of the punitive damages if Ford agrees to recall Explorers made between 1990 and 2001 to fix roof defects in those models.

Ford is likely to file motions to have the jury awards set aside. It could also try to negotiate a lower settlement with the plaintiff.

Buell-Wilson's lawyers argued that Ford had ignored the advice of its own engineers and designed the Explorer with safety flaws that made it to roll over.

Jurors hugged Buell-Wilson as they left the courtroom after the trial, press reports said. One juror said the evidence proved that Ford went out of its way to deceive the public on the safety of the Explorer.

Buell-Wilson was injured in January 2002. She was driving her 1997 Explorer on Interstate 8 when she swerved to avoid an object in the roadway. The Explorer tipped up on two wheels and rolled over. The roof caved in, breaking her back and leaving her paralyzed from the waist down. Her attorney said she is in constant pain.

Explorers made between 1990 and 2001 have a high center of gravity and a narrow wheel base, making them susceptible to rollovers during sharp maneuvers, said her attorney, Lou Arnell.

Buell-Wilson said that when she bought her Explorer she told the dealer that safety was her No. 1 concern.

"They said it was a very safe car," she testified.

September 22, 2004
Federal safety regulators are probing more than 1.1 million minivans from General Motors after complaints that passengers could hurt their arms or wrists when opening a power sliding door.

Vehicles targeted in its probe were from the 1998-2004 model years and included the Chevrolet Venture, Oldsmobile Silhouette and Pontiac Montana minivans, accordng to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The agency said it has received 21 complaints from consumers, including 19 cases of arm or wrist injuries. These include 13 cases of broken bones requiring a cast or surgery.

In addition, NHTSA said it has intensified a probe into faulty turn signals in 256,205 GM cars, including 2003 model-year Chevrolet Cavalier and Pontiac Sunfire cars.

May 12, 2004
The Chrysler unit of DaimlerChrysler AG is recalling more than 326,000 Dakota pickup trucks and Durango sport utility vehicles because of two potential safety problems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the larger of the two recalls involved 320,188 Durangos and Dakota pickups with front windshield wiper units that are susceptible to water intrusion, corrosion and eventual failure.

Vehicles affected include Durango SUVs from the 2002-2003 model years and 2002-2004 Dakotas, NHTSA said.

Also, Chrysler is recalling 6,183 Dodge Ram 1500 and 2500 pickups because some were sold with erroneous vehicle certification labels, NHTSA said.

The labels include "incorrect tire, wheel and recommended inflation pressure information" and fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standards, NHTSA said.

August 19, 2004
Schwinn-brand Toddler Bicycle Helmets are being recalled because they do not comply with impact testing requirements in the Consumer Product Safety Act.

These Schwinn-brand Toddler Bicycle Helmets have SCHWINN written on the back of the helmets. A white label inside the helmets reads, Lot# 791913. This number is followed by a date from 12-01-03 through 5-15-04. This label also contains the model number SK103, SK107 or SK108.

The helmets were sold at Wal-Mart, Target, Academy and Mills Fleet & Farms stores nationwide from January 2004 through July 2004 for between $17 and $20.

Consumers should return the recalled helmet to the store where purchased for a replacement or refund. Consumers also can send the helmet back to the manufacturer.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact PTI Sports at (800) 515-0074 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

August 20, 2004
General Motors is recalling 32,301 Aveo cars from the 2004 model year to repair a problem with the rear seat belt.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said the seat belts in the rear seats can become twisted. If that happens, the seat belt retractor may lock into position and the seat belt can't be used.

GM will begin notifying owners about the recall next month. GM dealers will install a guide in the belt to keep it from twisting.

There have been numerous problems with the Aveo since it was introduced last year. At one point, the company ordered dealers to stsop selling the cars after five of them were involved in similar accidents. After an investigation, sales resumed.

December 2, 2004
Classic Sport Companies Inc. is recalling about 1,470 table soccer games. The lighting structures may spark if the tube lights are not properly installed, posing a fire hazard.

There have been two reports of the table catching fire. No injuries were reported.

The recall involves Classic Sport Underlit Table Soccer game, models X0725, X0743 and X0761. The table soccer game is a soccer table with a glass playing surface and fluorescent tube lighting mounted underneath, causing the playing surface to illuminate when turned on.

The games were sold at retail outlets nationwide at Galyans Sports and Outdoors, The Sports Chalet, and The Sports Authority (including Gart Sports, Sportmart, and Oshmans) between August 2004 and October 2004 for about $900 for the X0725 and about $600 for the Z0743 and X0761..

Consumers should immediately disconnect all power to the table soccer game. Consumers may return the unit for a full refund or contact Classic Sport for a rebate for the removal of the lighting fixture.

Consumer Contact: Contact Classic Sport Companies, Inc. at (800) 225-5712 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. MT Monday through Friday, or visit Classic Sport web site at www.classicsport.com.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

March 17, 2004
The Brass Light Gallery is recalling its alabaster wall sconce lights. The tie-downs which secure the electrical wires to the mounting bracket may come loose, causing the wire to touch the bulb and pose a fire hazard to consumers.

Brass Light has received two reports of wire tie-downs coming loose, though no injuries have been reported.

The wall-mounted light fixtures have a translucent, natural alabaster stone cover. The recalled wall sconces include model numbers AL-3208, AL-5008, and AL-5108. Models AL-3208 and AL-5008 use one light bulb; whereas, Model AL-5108 uses two bulbs. The alabaster covers measure 8 inches in width and between 9 and 15 inches in height.

The sconces were sold by lighting distributors nationwide and Brass Light Gallery mail order services sold the wall sconces from January 1998 through November 2003 for between $175 and $340.

Consumers should contact Brass Light Gallery for instructions on receiving a free repair kit.

Consumer Contact: Call Brass Light Gallery toll-free at (888) 212-4953 anytime.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

April 21, 2004
Virgo Enterprises is recalling about 900 electric hand-held hair dryers. These hair dryers do not have an immersion protection device or ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) on the power cord, which poses a serious electrocution hazard if the unit is dropped in water.

In 1991, a voluntary standard was implemented that called for all hair dryers used by consumers to protect against electrocution in both the on and off position.

The recalled units are the Turbo 2000, Turbo Laser 1500, Super Turbo 3000, Turbo Plus 2800 and Turbo Plus 1800 electric hand held hair dryers. These hair dryers have a pistol grip, black or red colored plastic casing, two-prong power cord, and a label that reads in part, Virgo Professional and 110V/60HZ. The model name and number also are printed on the label.

The dryers were sold by retail beauty supply stores in the metropolitan New York area between March 2003 and December 2003 for about $50.

Consumers should stop using these hair dryers immediately and return the unit to the firm for a replacement unit that has an immersion protection device.

Consumer Contact: Virgo Enterprises representatives at (800) 552-0961between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

July 5, 2004
Chrysler Group, the U.S. arm of DaimlerChrysler, is recalling at least 20,000 vehicles due to safety defects.

The recall affects 2005 models of the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum and 2004 models of the Chrysler Sebring and Jeep Liberty.

The company wants to inspect and possibly repair the battery cable connections on 20,060 vehicles; tighten safety belt attachments on 12,211 vehicles; and inspect and possibly repair the child seat anchor systems on 12 vehicles, Chrysler said.

"It is anticipated that a low percentage of vehicles will need repairs," the company said. No accidents or injuries have been linked to the recall, a company spokesman said.

The company will begin notifying customers about the recalls next week. Customers will get repairs for free.

July 28, 2004
Quaker Maid Meats, Inc., of Reading, PA, is voluntarily recalling approximately 170,000 pounds of ground beef patties due to mislabeling. The beef patties were partially made from Canadian product that was mislabeled and ineligible for import to the U.S. because of mad cow disease restrictions.

``This is a mistake made in Canada,'' USDA Undersecretary Elsa Murano told reporters.

Canada discovered its first case of mad cow disease last year. The United States since then has restricted meat imports from Canada to those that are thought to be low-risk.

Products subject to recall include:

• 5-pound boxes of "PHILLY-GOURMET, 100% PURE BEEF, HOMESTYLE PATTIES" with a packaging code of 1974 or 2024.
• 3-pound boxes of "PHILLY-GOURMET, 100% PURE BEEF, HOMESTYLE PATTIES" with a packaging code of 1974 or 2024.
• 3-pound boxes of "The Philly Homestyle Beef Patty" with a packaging code of 1984 or 2014.

The products also bear the "Est. 2748" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The patties were produced on July 15, 16, 19 and 20 and were shipped to distribution centers and retail stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Wisconsin and Maine.

Consumers with food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (l-888-674-6854). The hotline is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.

November 19, 2004
Byer of Maine is recalling about 7,800 Trilite stools. The legs of the stool can bend and the stools may collapse when used on smooth hard floor surfaces.

Several stool collapses have been reported by retailers. No injuries have been reported.

This recall includes Byer of Maine TriLite Stools shipped between February 19, 2004 and June 16, 2004. The affected stools are only those that have been produced in China, specifically those that bear the Byer of Maine logo screen printed in silver ink on the plastic leg hub.

The stools were sold by various retail stores across the United States for approximately $18.00.

Consumers will be supplied with replacement stools on a two-for-one basis. Contact Byer of Maine to arrange for replacement.

Call Byer of Maine toll-free at (800) 338-0580 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firms Web site at www.byerofmaine.com/recall.pdf.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

January 20, 2004
K'NEX Industries is recalling about 14,000 "Mud Bogger" and "Street Shredder" pump-up racers. The air motor in the toy cars can burst while being pumped up, causing parts of the motor or car to break off. Some of these parts can have sharp points and pose a risk of eye or laceration injuries.

K'NEX has received two reports of bursting air motors, though no injuries have been reported.

The recalled K'NEX Pump Up Racers come in two models: the "Mud Bogger," which has a yellow car body and the "Street Shredder," which has a red car body. Both models have a date code beginning with 7803, which is located on the bottom of the air motor, directly under the name "K'NEX Industries Inc." The toy cars come with a pump attachment that helps project the car forward.

Toys R Us, Wal-Mart, and Target stores nationwide sold the toys between November 2003 and December 2003 for about $10.

Consumers should stop children from using these toy cars immediately and contact the company for a free replacement air motor or alternative product.

Consumer Contact: Call K'NEX Industries at (800) 543-5639 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or log on to the company's Web site at www.knex.com.

February 18, 2004
Ariens is recalling its 13-Horsepower Sno-Throw, Model 924506. The blade may not stop when the blade brake control is applied, resulting in continued blade movement. The potential for injury exists if consumers make contact with the rotary blade.

The units were sold by Home Depot stores in U.S. and Canada from October 7, 2003 to October 24, 2003 for between $2,500 and $2,800. Some units were sold elsewhere but Ariens already has notified those consumers.

Consumers should stop using these snow throwers immediately and return them to Home Depot or a local Ariens dealer for a free inspection and, if needed, repair. To access the serial numbers for the units affected, check the Ariens Web site: www.ariens.com/safety_recall.

Consumer Contact: For more information, call Ariens toll-free at (888) 927-4367 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

February 10, 2004
Luminessence T-Lite Candles with Glass Holder are being recalled because paint on the exterior surface of the candles can sustain a flame posing a potential fire hazard.

Dollar Tree has received six reports of candles producing excessive flame and/or igniting. Three of these reports involved minor injuries and three involved minor property damage.

The recalled candles were sold in packages containing eight tea light candles and one glass holder in the shape of a flower. The 1-inch tall candles were available in either gold or silver. A label affixed to the top of the package containing the recalled candles reads "Luminessence candles, 8 T-Lite Candles with Glass Holder, NET WT 3.2 oz (EACH 10G)." The label affixed to the bottom of the package reads, "DOLLAR TREE DIST., CHESAPEAKE, VA 23320, MADE IN CHINA."

The candles were sold at Dollar Tree, Only One Dollar, Only $1, Dollar Express, and Dollar Bills retail stores nationwide from September 2003 through October 2003 for $1.

Dollar Tree is offering a refund for each returned candle set.

Consumer Contact: For more information, call Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. at (800) 876-8077 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

July 23, 2004
Pottery Barn is recalling about 960 Bailey Chenille Rugs because the rugs violate the federal Flammable Fabrics Act and could ignite, presenting a risk of burn injuries.

The recalled Pottery Barn Bailey Chenille Rugs are periwinkle blue color only. Two models/sizes are recalled: 4479028 (8 x 10) and 4479036 (5 x 8). They are 65% rayon and 35% cotton.

The rugs were sold at Pottery Barn retail stores nationwide, from November 11, 2002 to August 27, 2003, for $199 to $399.

Remedy: Full refund. Consumers should stop using the rugs and contact Classic Concepts to arrange for the rug to be picked up and shipped back to Classic Concepts, the manufacturer. Consumers will receive a full refund when the recalled rugs are returned.

Consumer Contact: Call Classic Concepts (ask for Eden Courtney) at (800) 254-1927, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Mountain Time) or go to the Pottery Barn Web site at www.potterybarn.com.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

November 19, 2004
Emerson Motor Co. is recalling about 5,800 3.7-inch stators (stationary component of a motor) used in pumps.

Under locked condition, the unit can become overheated and present a potential fire/shock hazard to consumers.

The stators were sold to Procon Products for the application in insecticide insertion pumps and water purification systems.

Emerson Motor Company will repair or replace all non-conforming units at no cost to the consumers.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Procon Products at (800) 710-2554 Extension 0 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).