Recalls in May 2009

May 25, 2009
Volkswagen is recalling about 26,000 Jettas from the 2006-2009 model years. The affected models are 5th Generation vehicles equipped with the 2.01-liter engine.

The company said that fastening screw contact surfaces on the driveshaft cover plate may loosen over time, causing a knocking sound when the vehicle is in motion. Eventually, the driveshaft screws could loosen to the point that the driveshaft detaches from the gearbox.

If the vehicle is moving when the driveshaft detaches, it could damage the gearbox housing, causing oil to leak onto the street and creating a hazard to the VW driver as well as other motorists.

Dealers will inspect the driveshaft screws and replace them free of charge when the recall begins on or before June 19. Owners may contact VW at 1-800-822-8987.

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.

May 25, 2009
Hyundia is recalling about 91,000 Sonatas from the 2002-2003 model years to fix a problem with the interior door handles.

The company said some door handles may have very thin chrome plating, which may wear away with use. That could result in a crack in the handle, possibly forming a sharp edge that could cause laceration injuries to anyone using the handle.

Dealers will repair the door handle free of charge when the recall begins in June.

Owners may contact Hyundai about Recall No. 093 at 1-800-633-5151.

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.

May 22, 2009
Samsung is recalling about 160,000 Jitterbug cell phones. When the recalled cell phones are in a no-service area and display an "out of range, try again later" message, they could fail to connect to emergency 911.

This recall involves "Jitterbug" cell phones model numbers SPH-a110 and SPH-a120 with standard key pads and version BB14 software. No other Samsung wireless phones or software versions are included in this recall.

The phones, made in Korea, were sold directly to consumers through targeted national advertisements and publications, electronics and drug stores nationwide, and on the Web at www.jitterbug.com from March 2008 through May 2009 for about $150.

Samsung and Jitterbug are directly contacting consumers to schedule a free software upgrade. Consumers should call Samsung if they have not already been contacted.

For additional information, contact Samsung toll-free at (866) 304-4980 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, and on Saturday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT, or visit the firm"s Web site at www.samsung.com.

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

May 21, 2009
Ross Stores is recalling about 225 39 St. Anne Acacia benches. The bench frame can collapse when weight is placed on it, posing a fall hazard to consumers. Ross Stores has received two reports of incidents but no reports of injuries.

The benches are made of acacia wood with SKU 400037765413 and manufacturer style number GB1F printed on a hangtag attached to the bench. The acacia wood benches measure 39" wide, 20" deep and 36" high.

The benches were sold at Ross Stores nationwide in March 2009 for about $90. They were made in Vietnam.

Consumers should stop using these benches immediately and return them to any Ross Store for a full refund.

For additional information contact Ross at (877) 455-7677 anytime, or visit the firm's Web site at www.rossstores.com.

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

May 14, 2009
Dorel Juvenile Group is recalling about 76,000 Eddie Bauer Soothe & Sway play yards in the U.S. and Canada.

The play yard's rocking bassinet attachment can tilt even when secured by straps in the non-rocking mode or can stay tilted without returning to a level sleeping surface while in the rocking mode, causing an infant to roll to the corner or side of the bassinet. The infant can then become wedged in the corner or pressed against the side or bottom of the bassinet, posing a risk of suffocation or positional asphyxiation.

The firm and CPSC have received 10 reports of infants rolling to one side, including 6 that had their faces pressed against the side or the bottom of the bassinet. One child reportedly was turning purple and was out of breath when discovered. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves Eddie Bauer Soothe & Sway portable play yards. The convertible play yard has a bassinet and changing station feature. A mobile with three teddy bears was also sold with the play yard. Models included in the recall are 05046 (all units) and 05044 units manufactured before December 1, 2008. Different models were sold in Canada. Model numbers and manufacture dates are printed on a sticker on one of the support legs underneath the play yard. Manufacture dates are printed in the YY/MM/DD format.

The play yards, made in China, were sold at Target, Sears, and Burlington Coat Factory stores nationwide and Internet retailers from January 2008 through May 2009 for about $150.

Consumers should immediately stop using the bassinet attachment of the play yard and contact Dorel Juvenile Group for a $40 voucher toward the purchase of a new Dorel product. Consumers can continue using the play yard.

For additional information, contact Dorel Juvenile Group toll-free at (888) 233-4903 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. EST Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.djgusa.com.

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

May 14, 2009
Build-A-Bear is recalling about 270,000 folding toy beach chairs sold to consumers in the United States and Canada. The chair legs can bruise, pinch or cut fingers while folding.

Eight injuries have been reported.

This recall involves a wood frame, canvas seat, toy beach chair for stuffed animals. Some styles include an attached pillow. The toy chairs are blue (style #'s 002281, 004463, 009907, 011565, 102281, 109907, 111565), red (style #'s 007391, 011566, 107391, 111566), fuchsia/white stripe (style #'s 013226, 113226), Orange/white stripe (style #'s 013227, 113227).

The chairs, made in China, were sold by Build-A-Bear Workshop stores nationwide and online at www.buildabear.com from March 2001 through October 2008 for about $8 in the US and from March 2003 through October 2008 for about $10 in Canada.

Consumers should return the toy beach chair to any Build-A-Bear Workshop store to receive an $8 USD/$10 CDN store coupon. If it is not possible to return the toy chair to a store, you can contact the company for alternate instructions on receiving a refund.

For additional information, please contact the Build-A-Bear Workshop toll-free at (866) 236-5683 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT, Saturday 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT, or visit the company's Web site at www.buildabear.com (PDF)

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

May 13, 2009
GM is recalling 27,000 SUVs from teh 2009 model year to fix a problem with the fuel system control module.

The affected 2009 models are:

• CADILLAC / ESCALADE
• CADILLAC / ESCALADE ESV
• CADILLAC / ESCALADE EXT
• CHEVROLET / AVALANCHE
• CHEVROLET / COLORADO
• CHEVROLET / SUBURBAN
• CHEVROLET / TAHOE
• GMC / CANYON
• GMC / YUKON
• GMC / YUKON XL

The company said a faulty seal could allow water to seep into the module, possibly causing a short or open circuit. The engine could be hard to start or could stall.

Dealers will install a new fuel system module when the recall begins May 18. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and GMC at 1-866-996-9463.

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.

May 6, 2009
Richard Abraham Herder KG is recalling about 670 Torcofix/Torcoflex and Mountz torque wrenches.

The internal spring mechanism on the wrench can fail or break, allowing bolts or screws to break or become unscrewed, posing a risk of injury to the user or bystander.

The wrenches were sold under three styles names: Richard Abraham Herder KG 'Gedore/Rahsol' label, the Mountz 'Titan' label, and the Mountz 'Erico' label. Only wrenches with the serial numbers within the following ranges are included in the recall:

Recalled wrenches include the following product/brand names and model numbers:

The serial number is printed on the side of every torque wrench and the model number is printed on the label on the front and the back of the steel tube.

The wrenches, made in Germany, were sold by Mountz Inc. through wholesale catalog sales and wholesale through industrial distributors, private label (Erico) and direct to OEM's mostly in North America from July 2006 through April 2008 for between about $150 and $300.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled wrenches and contact Richard Abraham Herder KG to receive a repair or replacement wrench. Recalled wrenches can be sent to:

For additional information, please contact KLANN Tools toll-free at (866) 367-5526 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, e-mail klanntools@knology.net or visit the firm's Web site at www.klanngedore.com/pdf/recall_kti.pdf

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

May 5, 2009
Kia is recalling about 140,000 vehicles to fix a problem withi the brake lights. The affected models are:

• 2007 Amanti
• 2007 Rondo
• 2006-2007 Sedona
• 2006-2007 Sorento
• 2006-2007 Sportage

The company said that the stop light switch may have been damaged during assembly, causing the brake lights to fail. Also, on some models, the shifter may not move out of park when the brake pedal is depressed and on models with cruise control, depressing the brake may not deactivate the cruise control system.

Dealers will replace the switch free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542 about Recall No. SC077.

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.