Recalls in September 2007

September 26, 2007
Guidecraft Inc. is recalling about 10,000 children's puppet theaters. Surface paints on the puppet theaters wooden panels contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

The recalled puppet theater has a chalkboard surface on the front and colored side panels. The puppet theater measures about 35 inches in length, 14 inches in width and about 52 inches in height.

The theaters were sold at specialty toy stores, gift shops, catalogs and Web sites nationwide from June 2006 through August 2007 for about $90. They were made in China.

Consumers should immediately take the recalled puppet theaters away from children and contact Guidecraft to receive a replacement theater or another product of equal value.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Guidecraft toll-free at (888) 824-1308 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firms Web site at www.guidecraft.com.

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

September 26, 2007
Nissan is recalling 372,250 Pathfinder and Infinity QX4 SUVs sold or registered in 22 states and the District of Columbia.

The recall is taking place in states that experience heavy snowfall that demands high concentrations of salt to clear roads.

On some of the vehicles the fuel filler tube was not adequately coated to resist corrosion and surface rust on the tube may result.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that when combined with heavy concentrations of road salt in the winter, a mixture of snow, water and salt could contact the bare metal of the fuel filler tube causing corrosion and perforating the tube.

In this case NHTSA warned, fuel leakage may occur when filling the tank. Fuel leakages in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire, according to the federal safety regulators.

Nissan and Infinity dealers will replace the fuel filler tube assembly with a new tube with an improved coating process.

The recall will begin in November. Owners can contact Nissan 1-800-647-7261.

States included in the recall are: Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.

September 15, 2007
Chrysler is recalling nearly 300,000 trucks because drivers may experience a momentary delay in braking when they step on the brake pedal.

Dealers will reprogram the control module for the antilock brake system on 2007 Jeep Wranglers and Dodge Nitros and on 2006-07 Jeep Grand Cherokees and Commanders.

The company reported that it knows of one crash, with no injuries, that may be related to the problem.

The brake failure tends to occur when a vehicle has been going up a grade and the driver switches from the accelerator to the brake pedal, such as, preparing for a turn, a company spokesman said.

"It's a very rare occurrence," spokesman Max Gates told Reuters. "But we have had reports of drivers experiencing problems when they take their foot off the accelerator."

Separately, Chrysler also said it is recalling about 72,333 2008 Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger sedans because of a potential problem with a cable connected to the front door latches in the vehicles.

September 15, 2007
American Honda Motor Co. is recalling more than 180,000 Honda Civic coupes and sedans from the 2006-07 model years because their rear wheel bearings may fail.

Honda told regulators at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that an improperly assembled O-ring on a wheel speed sensor housing allows water and road salt to reach the wheel bearing.

As a result, over time the bearing can loosen, overheat and fail.

Wheels came off of two Civics sold to Canadian consumers, according to documents filed with NHTSA.

Dealers will inspect wheel speed sensors and bearings and replace those that are damaged, according to NHTSA.

Honda also notified NHTSA that lubricant from the telescoping mechanism of the steering column of some Civics may cause brake light switches to fail.

Dealers will install new brake light switches with protective coverings in about 20,000 Civic sedans and Civic Hybrids built for the 2006 model year.