Recalls in March 2009

March 17, 2009
General Motors is recalling more than 275,000 2009-model cars and SUVs to fix a problem with the automatic transmission.

Vehicles from the 2009 model-year included in the recall are:

• BUICK ENCLAVE
• CHEVROLET COBALT
• CHEVROLET HHR
• CHEVROLET MALIBU
• CHEVROLET TRAVERSE
• GMC ACADIA
• PONTIAC G5
• PONTIAC G6
• SATURN AURA
• SATURN OUTLOOK

The company said teh vehicles fail to comply with federal regulations regarding transmission braking, theft protection and rollaway prevention. On some of the vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjustment clip may not be fully engaged, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match.

In this condition, the driver could move the shifter to "park" and remove the ignition key, not realizing that the transmission gear is not actually in the "park" position.

The driver might not be able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle could roll away without warning.

Dealers will inspect the shift cable clip when the recall begins in March 2009. Owners may contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, GMC at 1-866-996-9463, Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 and Saturn at 1-800-972-8876 or at http://www.gmownercenter.com.

Consumers may contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153) or at www.safercar.gov.

Pronto Sports is recalling about 600 pairs of DBX Glide boys ice skates. Surface paint on the skates contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

The recalled youth adjustable boys ice skates are black with lime green and silver accents. 'Glide' is printed on a rubber tag on the side of the skates. 'DBX' and the DBX logo are located on the ice skate's ankle powerstrap, tongue, and heel.

The skates were sold at Dick's Sporting Goods nationwide from September 2008 through December 2008 for between $30 and $60. They were made in China.

Consumers should immediately take the recalled ice skates away from children and contact Pronto Sports for a full refund.

For additional information, contact Pronto Sports toll-free at (877) 755-4882 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.prontosports.com.

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

Six major producers of plastic baby bottles have jointly agreed to stop using bisphenol-A (BPA), an industrial chemical linked to adverse health effects in scientific studies.

The six firms are Avent America, Inc; Disney First Years; Dr. Brown; Evenflo Co.; Gerber; and Playtex Products, Inc. All said they will no longer use polycarbonate plastic bottles for baby products in the U.S.

Polycarbonate is a hard but shatter-proof plastic made with bisphenol A. The chemical is found in a wide variety of products, including in food and drink containers. The companies were prodded by the attorneys general from Connecticut, Delaware and New Jersey, who wrote the companies last year expressing their concern about potential harm to infants.

"This prompt positive response sends a profoundly significant message that baby bottle manufacturers respect the science showing BPA health dangers — and will do the right thing," said Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. "Hopefully other industries will heed our plea, and a broader legislative ban will be approved this session.

Blumenthal said he believes Congress should ban BPA from certain products for children.

Environmental groups have argued that growing scientific evidence shows that even small amounts of BPA damages reproductive, neurological and immune systems. They say experiments have linked even low levels of BPA to serious health problems, including prostate and breast cancer, early onset of puberty, obesity and diabetes.

Wal-Mart announced last April that it would stop selling baby bottles containing BPA early this year. But as recently as last October, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took the position than minimal amounts of BPA did not cause human harm.

That was a reiteration of the agency's position expressed before a Senate committee last May, when FDA Associate Commissioner for Science Norris Alderson said the agency is relying on a large body of scientific evidence that shows the chemical can safely be used in plastics that hold food and beverages.

Critics charge the evidence has mostly been supplied by the industry, which wants to keep on using BPA. They say there are plenty of studies that have, at the very least, raised questions about potential health problems in laboratory animals exposed to BPA.

BPA, a synthetic sex hormone that mimics estrogen, is used to make hard polycarbonate plastic. Ninety-five percent of all baby bottles on the market are made with BP, according to the study.