Recalls

Deaths spark crib recall: CSPC says to stop using Generation 2 and ChildESIGNS cribs

Mitch Lipka Feb 9th 2010 @ 4:00PM EST Filed Under: Recalls, Consumer Ally

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is issuing a crib recall and warning anyone with Generation 2 Worldwide or "ChildESIGNS" drop side cribs to stop using them following reports of the deaths of three babies. At least a half million of the cribs are believed to have been sold by the now defunct company.

"Infants and toddlers are at risk of serious injury or death due to strangulation and suffocation hazards presented by the cribs," the CPSC said in a written statement. "CPSC staff urges parents and caregivers to stop using these cribs immediately and find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby."

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Does Toyota's global Prius recall affect you?

Sarah Coffey Feb 9th 2010 @ 6:00AM EST Filed Under: Recalls, Transportation, In the News

Japanese automaker Toyota is recalling nearly a half million of its Prius and other hybrid cars for braking problems, sure to further shake consumer confidence in the carmaker.

The recall covers a total of 436,000 units globally, including the 2010 Prius, Sai, Prius PHV (plug-in hybrid) and Lexus HS250h.

The gas-electric Prius cars were sold from May last year through January. Toyota says a software glitch is behind the problem.

Toyota says it will begin mailing letters to Prius owners included in this recall next week and HS 250h owners within the next few weeks, to let them know when to bring their vehicles into a dealership. Owners will only receive a letter if their vehicle is involved in the recall.

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Toyota set to recall Prius over brake problems

Sarah Coffey Feb 5th 2010 @ 6:15AM EST Filed Under: Recalls, Transportation

Beleaguered by complaints, Toyota is set to recall its popular Prius hybrid cars over brake problems, according to reports today.

The car giant is expected to file a recall soon with the Japanese transport ministry and the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Nikkei business newspaper says.

In other bad news for Toyota, the U.S. Department of Transportation has announced a formal investigation into the Prius's faulty brakes. That comes just as Toyota dealers are scrambling to fix faulty accelerators on eight other models of recalled Toyotas in North America, China and Europe.

Officials have received 124 complaints about Prius brakes, including four alleging crashes occurred. Toyota is calling the problem a "software glitch."

In Australia, some customers have complained their brakes feel inconsistent while driving over potholes and slippery pavement.

Toyota is now suffering from a public relations disaster of massive proportions, not helped by the fact that Toyota's President Akio Toyoda has not formally addressed the recall problems, instead sending a little-known executive in charge of quality to discuss the recall with the media. The executive was criticized for not bowing deeply as he entered the room, a standard gesture in Japan when a firm acknowledges its mistakes.

Facing mounting criticism, Toyoda is set to hold a press conference today in Nagoya, near the Toyota City headquarters, at 7 a.m. EST.

Toyota shares have lost around $30 billion, or a fifth of their value, since it launched a recall on accelerator pedals in the United States on Jan. 21.

Toymaker Schylling accused of knowingly selling lead paint-tainted toys; agrees to $200,000 penalty

Mitch Lipka Feb 4th 2010 @ 12:01AM EST Filed Under: Family Money, Recalls, Consumer Ally

Toymaker Schylling Associates, which makes classic toys including many with the Curious George and Thomas & Friends brands, was accused of knowingly selling tens of thousands of its products that had lead paint in violation of federal law, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced.

Although the company denied it broke any federal laws in agreeing to the settlement, Schylling agreed to pay a $200,000 penalty. The toys were sold in 2001 through 2003 but were not reported to the government, as required by law, until 2007, when they were recalled.

"Manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers have a legal obligation to ensure that no banned products are introduced into or distributed in the U.S. marketplace, and to inform CPSC as soon as they become aware of information that must be reported under our laws," CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum said in a written statement. "We will continue to penalize companies that do not follow these basic requirements."

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Toyota recall fix is in the mail

Barbara Hernandez Feb 3rd 2010 @ 12:45PM EST Filed Under: Recalls, Transportation

Toyota recall Toyota released a fix for its recalled vehicles with problematic accelerators -- a small steel reinforcement bar that will be installed to reduce surface tension and stop the accelerator from sticking.

However, Toyota owners are asked to wait for their certified letter from Toyota in the mail (they're being mailed this week) before calling and setting up an appointment with their dealership, said a Toyota spokesman.

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Disney Fairies jewelry recalled for excessive lead

Mitch Lipka Feb 2nd 2010 @ 3:15PM EST Filed Under: Recalls, Consumer Ally

Just days after Disney Princess and the Frog necklaces were recalled for containing the heavy metal cadmium, another Disney branded jewelry line is being recalled for lead, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

This time it's charms sold with Tiny Tink and Friends Children's Toy Jewelry Sets. More than 250,000 sets contain excessive levels of lead including Tinker Bell's Lil' Tinker Bracelet, Rosetta's Rosebud Key Chain and Silvermist's Water Lily Necklace.

A metal connector that links the charm to a necklace, bracelet or keychain is the part that contains lead. Sets with plastic rather than metal connectors are not subject to the recall.

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Walmart Princess and the Frog necklaces recalled over Disney's cadmium concerns

Mitch Lipka Jan 30th 2010 @ 12:06AM EST Filed Under: Recalls, Consumer Ally

Necklaces sold by Walmart as souvenirs of Disney's most recent princess movie -- "The Princess and the Frog" -- are being recalled because of high levels of the heavy metal cadmium, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

The recall by jewelry and trinket maker F.A.F. Inc. was prompted by Disney, which made it clear that it would not allow makers of its licensed merchandise to produce them with cadmium. Walmart recently cleared its shelves of products that tests had shown contained cadmium. Walmart also said it would work with the CPSC as the safety agency decided how to handle the unregulated carcinogen, which is also toxic to young children.

Continue reading Walmart Princess and the Frog necklaces recalled over Disney's cadmium concerns

Another stroller recalled for a hinge that can clip off fingers

Mitch Lipka Jan 28th 2010 @ 5:15PM EST Filed Under: Recalls, Consumer Ally

A third stroller has been recalled out of concern its hinges could break or sever a child's fingers. CYBEX umbrella strollers sold by Regal Lager were recalled in the U.S. and Canada, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada announced.

The company told the CPSC it had been told of one child whose finger got caught in the hinge mechanism used to open and close the strollers. The child suffered a broken finger.

About 1 million of the popular Maclaren strollers were recalled in November after a dozen reports of children having their fingertips severed in the hinge mechanism. And last week, Graco recalled 1.5 million of their strollers after five children suffered fingertip amputations in the hinges on the strollers' canopies.

Expect to see another major recall of strollers for the same reason over the next couple of weeks.

Regal Lager said it sold about 1,100 of its Chinese-made strollers in the U.S. and 90 in Canada. The models being recalled are Ruby, Onyx and Topaz. They were sold from August-November 2009 for $140-$260.

Those who have the strollers are asked to stop using them and request a hinge cover retrofit kit from Regal Lager. Regal Lager can be reached weekdays from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Eastern at (800) 593-5522. The kits also can be ordered through Regal Lager's Web site or by email at info@regallager.com.

Starbucks recalls glass water bottles after eight are hurt

Mitch Lipka Jan 28th 2010 @ 4:45PM EST Filed Under: Recalls, Consumer Ally

Starbucks is recalling glass water bottles it has been selling this month after 10 customers reported either the glass stopper or bottle had shattered, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

Starbucks told the CPSC eight of the reported incidents resulted in cuts. The company has sold 11,000 bottles in the U.S. and 1,200 in Canada.

The 20-ounce clear glass bottles were sold this month at Starbucks, Target and Safeway for about $9. They were made in Taiwan.

If you have one of the bottles you are asked to stop using them immediately and return them to where they were purchased for a full refund. Starbucks will also give anyone returning the bottles a free drink of any size.

For more information, call Starbucks weekdays between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. at (877) 492-6333.

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