RECENTLY ANNOUNCED NHTSA RECALLS
Chevrolet Sonic: On December 22, 2011 General Motors announced that it will begin a recall of 4,296 Model Year 2012 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles to check for a missing brake pad. The particular models affected by the recall are 2012 Sonics manufactured between June 2 and November 21, 2011. General Motors reported that a front inner or outer brake pad may be missing from these vehicles, which could result in reduced brake system performance, increasing the risk of a crash. General Motors will notify owners and dealers will inspect the front brakes for a missing inner or outer pad. If a pad is missing, the dealer will install new inner and outer pads, a new brake caliper and a new rotor free of charge to the consumer. This recall is scheduled to begin on or before January 14, 2011.
Frieghtliner Emergency Vehicles: On December 22, 2011 Daimler Trucks North America announced that it will recall certain 2011-2012 Freightliner emergency vehicles due to a faulty engine shutdown mechanism. The possible result of this defect is that the engine could shut down unexpectedly during an emergency operation, hampering the operation and creating risk to the public. The affected models were manufactured between July 2, 2010 and November 13, 2011. Approximately 100 vehicles are subject to this recall. Daimler Trucks North America will notify owners and dealers will disable the engine shutdown software. This recall is scheduled to begin on or about February 22, 2012.
Micro Bird School Busses: On December 21, 2011 Corp. Micro Bird Inc. announced that it will recall approximately 1227 model year 2009 through 2012 school busses due to inadequate ceiling panel joint strength. The result of this defect is that, in the event of a crash, the ceiling panel may separate from the structure and cause injury. The manufacturer will notify owners and dealers will repair the busses free of charge. This recall is expected to begin during February 2012.
Cadillac SRX: On December 20, 2011 General Motors announced that it will recall certain Cadillac SRX vehicles due to a transmission shift cable that was improperly installed and could come out of the transmission bracket. The possible result of this defect is that the driver may be unable to shift the transmission out of gear, resulting in a crash. The affected vehicles were manufactured between October 26, 2008 and June 23, 2011. There are 8789 vehicles subject to this recall. General Motors will notify owners and dealers will inspect the transmission cable and make sure it is properly routed and seated in the transmission cable bracket free of charge to the consumer. This recall is scheduled to begin in January 2012.
Piaggio Fly and Piaggio Vespa Scooters: On December 19, 2011, Piaggio USA, Inc. announced that it will recall certain 2011-2012 Fly 50 4T 4-valve scooters, model year 2010-2012 Vespa LX50 4T 4-valve scooters, and model year 2009-2012 Vespa S50 4T 4-valve scooters due to a faulty ignition module. Approximately 2,147 models are subject to this recall. The result of the faulty ignition module is that the ignition may fail and alter the ignition timing causing the engine to backfire into the airbox, increasing the risk of a fire. Piaggio will notify owners and dealers will replace the ignition control unity free of charge to the consumer. This recall is expected to begin on or before January 17, 2012.
Nissan and Infinity Various Models: On December 19, 2011, Nissan North America announced that it will recall approximately 14,718 model year 2011 and 2012 vehicles due to a engine cooling bolts that were below the specification strength. The particular vehicles affected by the recall include the following:
2011 INFINITI FX,
2012 INFINITI M,
2011-2012 NISSAN FRONTIER,
2011-2012 NISSAN XTERRA,
2011-2012 NISSAN PATHFINDER
2012 NISSAN NV
The result of this defect is that, if the bolts break, it could cause an engine oil leak. If there is an oil leak, the engine oil pressure would drop and the engine could seize, increasing the risk of a crash. Nissan will notify owners and dealers will replace the bolts free of charge. This recall is expected to begin on or before January 19, 2011.
RECENTLY OPENED NHTSA INVESTIGATIONS
Preliminary Evaluations
A preliminary evaluation is the initial phase of a NHTSA investigation and is prompted after a review of consumer complaints and/or manufacturer service bulletins suggest a safety defect may exist. The results of a PE determine whether the investigation will be upgraded to an Engineering Analysis or closed. Preliminary Evaluations are conducted by the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigations (“ODI”).
Ford Freestar/Mercury Monterey: On December 21, 2011 the NHTSA’s ODI opened a preliminary evaluation of the model year 2004 Ford Freestar and model year 2004 Mercury Monterey. The investigation is focused on the mid/rear seat assembly. Specifically, the stowable third-row seat is secured to the vehicle by two latches or anchors on each side of the seat cushion and also by two hinges/supports on the rear face of the seat cushion. The side anchors are mounted to the rear wheel wells. The NHTSA office of defects investigation received seven complaints regarding 2004 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles that were in use in “salt-belt” states. The complaints allege that the rear wheel wells were severely corroded. Some complaints indicated that an anchor mount completely detached from the vehicle.
Engineering Evaluations
An engineering analysis is the second and final phase of a NHTSA investigation. It is undertaken if data from a Preliminary Evaluation indicates further examination of a potential safety defect is warranted. The results of an EA determine whether a safety recall should be initiated or the investigation should be closed. Engineering Analyses are also performed by the NHTSA’s ODI.
No new engineering evaluations were announced since last week’s Recall Roundup.
For more information: Consumers can get more information, including remedies and contact information for the CPSC and affected manufactures at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/
RECENTLY ANNOUNCED CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION RECALLS
Performance Inc. Bicycle Pedals: On January 4, 2012 the CPSC announced a recall of 2,900 2011 Forté Pro Carbon Road Pedals made in Taiwan and imported by Performance, Inc, of Chapel Hill, N.C. The recalled pedals are made of lightweight carbon injected thermoplastic and are sold in sets of two bicycle pedals that attach to cycling shoes. The pedal and axel are black. The front, top of the pedal has “Carbon” printed in red; the top middle has “EPS-R” embossed in the body with the “R” in red and on the top rear of the pedal the word “Forté” printed in white. The outer edge of the pedal has the Forté logos, crossed F’s, in white. The catalog number, 50-8128, is used in all catalogs. They were sold in Performance stores, catalogs and the company’s website between February and October 2011. The safety issue with these pedals is that the pedal body can break or crack during use, causing the rider to lose control and posing a fall hazard.
Uni-O Industries O-Grill Portable Gas Grills: On January 3, 2012 the CPSC announced a recall of 4,530 O-Grill Portable Gas Grills made in China, manufactured by Uni-O (Xiamen) Industries Corporation of Xiamen, China and sold by LL Bean, Stoneman, BBQG, Walgreens, REI, Dillards and Dick’s Sporting Goods throughout the U.S. between November 2008 and December 2010. The affected models are the Iroda O-Grill 1000 and Iroda O-Grill 3000 produced before 20 10. Some were sold under the brand name “Tailgating Gear”. Both models are steel clamshell-type propane grills with retractable legs. They came in orange, red, green, blue, silver and black and have the words “O-Grill” stamped on the metal grill cover. O-Grills that do not have ventilation slots in the regulator cover where the propane bottle screws in are subject to the recall. Grills with ventilation slots in the regulator cover are not subject to the recall. The safety issue with the O-Grill is that the regulator on the grill can leak gas which can ignite, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers. There have been 10 reports of O-Grills catching fire.
West Elm Glass-Top Dining Table: On December 29, 2011 the CPSC and Health Canada announced the recall of 840 West Elm Dover glass-top dining tables made in China and imported by West Elm, a division of Williams-Sonoma of San Francisco, CA. The recalled tables have a brown wooden base and a tempered glass top. The words “West Elm” and “SKU: 2188233” are printed on a white label on the underside of the long center beam of the wooden base. They were sold at West Elm stores and online between July 2011 and October 2011. The safety issue with this table is that it can collapse, causing the glass table top to fall and pose an injury hazard to consumers. There have been 14 reports of tables collapsing or breaking, resulting in one injury.
Pottery Barn Kid’s Bed Canopy: On December 28, 2011 the CPSC and Health Canada announced a recall of 7,700 Pottery Barn Kid’s bed canopies made in Vietnam and imported by Pottery Barn Kids, a division of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. of San Francisco, CA. The recalled canopy was part of the Madeline Bedroom Collection. It is made of wood and consists of four posts that connect to the headboard and footboard of the bed and four rails that connect to the top portion of each post and comes in white, antique white, blade green, Sun Valley blade green, Sun Valley light green and Sun Valley espresso. These canopies were sold at Pottery Barn Kids stores, through Pottery Barn Kids catalogs and online at potterybarnkids.com between December 2003 and August 2011. The safety issue with the canopy is that the connections of the posts to the top rails of the canopy can come apart, allowing components of the canopy to fall and posing an impact hazard to consumers. There have been 33 reports of components of the canopy falling, including one report of a cut that required stitches and nine other reports of more minor injuries.
Navien Tankless Water Heaters: On December 27, 2011 the CPSC announced a recall of 13,000 Instantaneous or Tankless Water Heaters made in South Korea and imported by Navien America Inc., of Irvine, CA. The recalled water heaters are white with “T-Creator: and “NAVIEN” written on the front. The affected model numbers are CR-180(A), CR-210(A), CR-240(A), CC-180(A), CC-210(A) and CC-240(A) and they were manufactured in 2008 and sold through wholesale distributors to in-home installers throughout the U.S. between February 2008 and March 2009. A label on the side of the water heater lists the model number and the manufacturing year in YYYY format. The safety issue with the recalled water heaters is that an unstable connection can cause its vent collar to separate or detach if pressure is applied. A detached vent collar poses a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning to the consumer.
Build-A-Bear Colorful Hearts Teddy Bears: On December 23, 2011, the CPSC and Health Canada announced a recall of 297,200 Build-A-Bear teddy bears made in China and imported by Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. of St. Louis, MO. The recalled teddy bears are about 16 inches tall and are white with multi-colored hearts and black plastic eyes. They were sold at Build-A-Bear stores throughout the U.S. and Canada as well as online at www.buildabear.com between April and December 2011. The reason for the recall is that the teddy bear’s eyes could loosen and fall out, posing a choking hazard to children.
Brookfield Entryway Tree Sets: On December 23, 2011, the CPSC announced a recall of 1000 holiday tree, wreath and garland sets made in China and imported by General Foam Plastic Corp. of Norfolk, VA. These sets include two 48” artificial lighted entryway trees, a lighted wreath and lighted garland and were sold exclusively at True Value Hardware stores throughout the U.S. during November of 2011. The box in which these sets were sold say “True Value,” “True Value Item #136879” and “UPC code 0 29033 36798 0” on the somewhere on the box. The reason for the recall is that the battery box that power lights on the artificial wreath can overheat, posing a fire hazard.
Hanna Andersson Children’s Robes: On December 23, 2011, the CPSC announced a recall of 1000 Hanna Andersson children’s house robes manufactured in China and imported by Hanna Andersson of Portland, OR. The recalled robes are made of fluffy white fleece with large multi-colored dots and have a neck tag that reads “Style 38310 Hanna Andersson”. They were sold at Hanna Andersson stores through the U.S., in catalogs and on the Hanna Andersson website between September 2011 and November 2011. The safety issue with these robes is that they fail to meet the federal flammability standards for children’s sleepwear, posing a risk of burn injury to children.
Petit Lem Children’s Pajamas: On December 23, 2011, the CPSC announced a recall of 1,750 pairs of children’s pajamas made in China and imported by Group Lemur, Inc., of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The recalled pajamas are two-piece cotton shorts and short-sleeved pajama sets. They were sold in blue with flowers, white with flowers and dots, yellow with umbrellas or pink with butterflies and fairies and “Petit Lem Lounge” is printed on the inside neck of the shirt. They were sold in specialty children’s stores and websites between January and November 2009. The safety issue with these pajamas is that they fail to meet the federal flammability standards for children’s sleepwear, posing a risk of burn injury to children.
Can-Am ATV: On December 22, 2011, the CPSC announced a recall of 1,600 Can-Am All Terrain Vehicles made in Mexico and imported by BRP US Inc., of Sturtevant, WI. The model numbers of the affected ATVs are:
Model Year 2010: Can-Am® OUTLANDER™ 500, 650 and 800R, packages XT, XT-P and Ltd; on MAX and one-Up models Can-Am® RENEGADE™ 800R, package X xc only
Model Year 2011: Can-Am® OUTLANDER™ 500, 650, 800R, packages XT, XT-P, X xc, X mr and Ltd; on MAX and one-Up models Can-Am® RENEGADE™ 800R package X xc only
The ATVs were sold in black, yellow and red and have “Can-Am” and the model name printed on the side panels. They were sold exclusively at Can-Am dealerships throughout the U.S. between September 2009 and November 2011. The safety issue with this product is that, under some conditions, the Dynamic Power Steering (DPS) main shaft can crack and pieces can detach. Those pieces inside the DPS can block gears and cause limited steering ability, posing a loss of control hazard with risk of serious injury or death to the operator.
For more information: Consumers can get more information about these recalls, including remedies and contact information for the CPSC and affected product manufacturers at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html