Recalls in January 1970

July 13, 2004
Federal safety regulators are investigating a series of audio-system fires in 2002-model Chrysler minivans, raising the possibility that more than 400,000 of the vehicles could face a recall.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's inquiry includes Dodge Caravan, Plymouth and Chrysler Voyager and Chrysler Town & Country minivans. Three fires have been reported, including one in which a minivan was destroyed, NHTSA said.

The fires occurred in the summer when the vehicles were being driven and the radio was on, the agency said.

The Caravan is the top-selling minivan in the U.S.

Some 2002 Caravans were recalled on four previous occasions to repair the fuel system, replace the fuel filter, provide child safety-seat information and replace running boards.

April 20, 2004
Kids II is recalling about 225,000 children's vinyl mirror books. The mirror in the books can crack or break, posing a laceration hazard to young children.

Kids II has received 26 reports of the mirror cracking or breaking, including four reports of cuts and one report of a pinched finger.

The recalled picture books are brightly colored, made of flexible vinyl, and contain a plastic mirror on one of the inside pages. The recalled books come in four models: Babys Fun Book, Babys Photo Album, Picture This Vinyl Book, and Carters Imagination Picture Book. The name Kids II is printed on the back cover of each book, except for the Imagination Picture Book which has Carters printed on the front and back covers.

The books were sold at mass merchandise and juvenile specialty stores nationwide from December 2001 through March 2004 for between $4 and $8.

Parents should take the product away from small children immediately and detach and mail the mirror page of the product to Kids II at 1015 Windward Ridge Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30005 for a refund.

Consumer Contact: Call Kids II toll-free at (877) 325-7056 between 7:30 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).

December 10, 2004
The Chrysler group is recalling more than 98,000 cars and SUVs because of problems that could cause either engine compartment fires or crashes, federal safety regulators said.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said vehicles affected by the recalls included 71,763 Dodge Durango SUVs from the 2004 model year, which have battery cables that can abrade and potentially trigger a short circuit or underhood fire.

NHTSA said Chrysler was also recalling 26,354 Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus mid-sized cars from the 2005 model year, because their right steering knuckles can crack and separate from the control arm, possibly resulting in a crash.

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

May 25, 2004
Paramount Farmsis voluntarily expanding its recall of natural raw almonds, initially announced last week when the company recalled whole natural raw almonds sold under the Kirkland Signature, Trader Joes and Sunkist brands.

Paramount said that from now on it "pasteurize" all almonds before shipping, which goes above and beyond current industry common practices.

The recall is being expanded in three ways:

• by extending the "best buy" dates for its retail brands;
• by including raw natural diced almonds; and,
• by including all of its industrial distributors and ultimate retailers.

The company chose to expand the recall after one additional case of salmonellosis was confirmed in Michigan that occurred more than three months ago.

Neither the original, nor expanded retail or industrial recall, includes roasted, blanched, sliced, or slivered almonds. Such almonds undergo processing which eliminates any potential bacteria such as Salmonella Enteriditis.

On the retail side, the recall extends the "best before" ending dates. The "best before" dates for Trader Joe's and Sunkist brands whole natural raw almonds extend from 8/21/04 through 3/15/05 to 8/21/04 through 5/20/05. The "best before" dates for Kirkland Signature brand whole natural raw almonds extend from "best before" dates of 8/21/04 through 2/8/05 to 8/21/04 through 3/16/05.

Furthermore, the recall adds raw almonds marked "natural diced" sold under the Sunkist brand in 10-ounce lay-flat plastic bags with "best before" dates of 8/21/04 through 5/20/05.

Paramount Farms is also in the process of contacting all of its distributors and ultimate retailers who further process and resell to ensure all whole natural raw and all raw natural diced almonds with "bulk ship" dates of 8/21/03 through 5/20/04 have been traced and removed from the marketplace.

t is believed that most of the product already has been consumed or has been processed, roasted or otherwise altered, which typically eliminates Salmonella , believed to be linked with illnesses that resulted in the original recall. Countries where the almonds may have been distributed and in which customers are being contacted include Mexico, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, France, England and Italy.

"While extensive lab testing has revealed no Salmonella in Paramount products, we are contacting all of our customers who may have received shipment of natural raw unpasteurized almonds to retrieve any that may still be in circulation and have not been roasted," said David Szeflin, vice president, Operations, Paramount Farms.

The original recall of May 18, 2004 involved approximately 5 million pounds of whole natural raw almonds. An additional 8 million pounds were shipped to other companies, as well as overseas.

The whole natural raw almonds sold under the Trader Joe's brand were in a one-pound lay-flat plastic bag marked "nonpareil variety raw almonds;" those sold under the Sunkist brand were in a 10-ounce lay-flat plastic bag marked "raw natural whole almonds;" and, those sold under the Kirkland Signature brand, available exclusively at Costco Wholesale Inc., were packaged in three-pound, lay-flat plastic bags.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

April 15, 2004
American Honda Motor Co is recalling some 600,000 minivans and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) sold in the United States and Canada due to potential transmission defects.

Honda said it has received no reports of deaths or injuries due to the defect. The company said insufficient lubrication could lead to heat build-up and broken gears in the transmission. In rare instances, gear breakage could lock up the transmission.

The company said it has found 10 cases in which the transmission failed. All were vehicles with high mileage.

Subject to free inspection and repair are 2002-2004 Honda Odyssey minivans, 2003-2004 Honda Pilot SUVs and 2001-2002 Acura MDX SUVs.

April 28, 2004
Isuzu is recalling 72,905 Trooper SUVs because their accelerators stick for several seconds after the gas pedal is released.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Troopers from the 1992-1995 model years were affected by the recall.

"The accelerator cable can stick so that the engine speed will not immediately decrease upon release of the accelerator pedal," NHTSA said. "This can cause the accelerator throttle cable to delay RPM and vehicle speed reduction for several seconds after the accelerator pedal is released, which in turn, can lead to a crash."

The agency did not say whether any actual accidents or injuries had been linked to the problem. It said dealers would fix it by replacing the throttle cable rubber boot on the SUVs.

January 9, 2004
Susan Bristol Inc. is recalling a line of Christmas sweaters with feather trim. The marabou feather trim on the sweaters is dangerously flammable.

These are ladies Christmas sweaters with marabou feather trim that come in two different styles. One is a black pullover with marabou feather trim at the neckline and cuffs. The other style is a black, mohair-lined cardigan with embroidery and marabou trim at the neckline and cuffs.

Susan Bristol LTD is written on the collar tag located at the center back neck of the garment. The RN #43189 (CA05633) can be found on a tag sewn in the right side seam of the sweaters.

The sweaters were sold at clothing stores and small boutiques nationwide from November 2002 through January 2003 for between $44 and $74, depending on the style.

Consumers should contact Susan Bristol Inc. customer service for information on returning the sweaters for credit for another product or a replacement of the trim.

Consumer Contact: Susan Bristol Inc. at (800) 537-4309 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

March 23, 2004
Audi is recalling 172,866 A6 sports cars and S6 and Allroad Quatro wagons sold in the U.S. to fix a wiring flaw that could start.

Wiring for driver-side headlights on some of the vehicles could cause an electrical short when coming into contact with other materials, potentially triggering a dashboard fire, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. The recall affects 1998 through 2004 models.

No injuries related to the wiring flaw have been reported. Audi is to begin notifying customers of the recall in July, NHTSA said.

Jaguar
Ford Motor Co.'s Jaguar is recalling 1,142 of its 2004 XJ sports cars to repair possible defects in passenger-side air bags, NHTSA said. Owners are to begin receiving recall notification in April or May.

July 9, 2004
Grist Mill Company of Lakeville, MN, is voluntarily recalling Fruit & Nut Trail Mix Granola Bars and Muesli Cereals, sold under retailer brand names because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

The Fruit & Nut Trail Mix Granola Bars are packaged in 7.4 oz. boxes, with expiration dates between June 6, 2004 (JUN0604) and December 31, 2004 (DEC3104). The Muesli Cereals are packaged in a 15.3 oz. box with the expiration dates between September 10, 2004 (SEP1004) and December 10, 2004 (DEC1004).

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The Fruit & Nut Trail Mix Granola Bars were distributed nationwide to retail chains and are sold under their brand names: Acme, Albertson's, BiLo, Food Club, Food Lion, Fred Meyer, Giant, Giant Eagle, Great Value, Hill Country Fare, Hyvee, Jewel, Kroger, Laura Lynn, Meijer, Millville, Our Family, Price Chopper, Ralph's, Roundy, Stater Brothers, Stop & Shop, Sunny Select, Tops and Weis. The Muesli Cereals were distributed nationwide to retail chains and are sold under their brand names: Acme, Albertson's, Archer Farm, Best Choice, Central Market, Flavorite, Fred Meyer, Harris Teeter, Hyvee, Jewel, Kroger, Ralph's, Safeway, Select Healthy Advantage, Shaw's, and Shop & Save.

Almonds received by Grist Mill Company were randomly tested for the presence of Salmonella. This ingredient testing did not reveal a presence of Salmonella in raw almonds before the ingredient was used to manufacture the subject products and there are no reported illnesses associated with these products. However, the company is working with FDA to assure the quality and safety of the food supply.

This recall is in response to a voluntary recall by Paramount Farms of California of whole and diced raw almonds based on over 20 possible illnesses associated with the almonds nationwide.

These products should not be consumed but rather returned to the store of purchase for a full refund. For further information, call Grist Mill's information line at 1-800-233-7022.

January 20, 2004
Sassi America Inc. is voluntarily recalling about 72,000 bottles of acrylic primer used to prepare fingernails before applying artificial nails. This methacrylic acid primer is not packaged in child-resistant packaging, as required by the Poison Prevention Packaging Act.

Sassi America has received a report of a 2-year-old girl in Pompano Beach, Fla., who sustained severe external and internal chemical burns after swallowing the liquid primer.

The primer is packaged in amber-colored bottles with black caps. The model number 508, 509, 510, 511 or 512 is written on the front of the label. "SASSI" also is written on the labels. The primer was sold in .25-ounce, .50-ounce, 1-ounce, 2-ounce and 4-ounce size bottles. The acrylic primers were sold separately and in kits.

Grocery and beauty supply stores nationwide sold the primer from June 2000 through January 2004 for between $2 and $10.

Consumers should return the acrylic primer and kits to the store where purchased to receive a refund. For more information call Sassi collect at (847) 228-0334 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

December 15, 2004

Ford is expanding its recall of 2002 to 2004 Escape and Mazda Tribute SUVs. Some 600,000 vehicles are now being recalled to fix accelerator cables that could prevent the vehicles from returning to idle.

Meanwhile, Ford will eliminate its two biggest SUVs -- the Ford Excursion and the Lincoln Aviator -- after the 2005 model year. Both models have been the targets of environmentalists unhappy with their big appetites for fuel.

The Excursion is apparently gone for good though Ford says the Lincoln Aviator will reportedly be revived as a car-based SUV in 2006. The Excursion will be at least partly replaced by an extended version of the Expedition SUV, according to Automotive News.

September 29, 2004
Mazda Motor Corp. is recalling 42,000 cars because their airbags may fail to deploy in a crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the vehicles in the recall were 2004 model-year Mazda3 cars.

Because of a crack in the airbag housing, water can seep into the sensor that activates the device and cause a short circuit, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said.

March 10, 2004
Ford is recalling more than 1.3 million Taurus and Sable sedans in two separate actions -- one to fix a faulty brake light and the other to replace an air filter that can catch fire.

Ford said one of the recalls includes about 938,789 Taurus and Sable models for the 2000 through 2003 model years to replace the stop lamp switch and wiring. The company said that a malfunctioning electronic switch may cause stop lamps to become inoperable, or cause them stay on all the time.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it has received 61 complaints of the brake lamps failing, including two incidents that resulted in crashes and one that resulted in two injuries. At least 37 of those complaints were addressed as part of a March 2001 recall of 157,000 vehicles.

The second recall involved about 399,926 Taurus and Sable models from the 2003 model year. Those cars have air filters that can catch fire. Ford has received 65 reports of fires.

Owners of affected cars will be notified by mail.

Last week, NHTSA said it opened an investigation into the 1999-2002 model year Ford Windstar minivan after receiving 56 complaints that the power sliding door could open when the vehicle is moving.

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.

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.