NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 3, 2010

Release #10-255 Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 544-5513

CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772

CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7601

Maytag Recalls Dishwashers Due to Fire Hazard

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

 

Name of Product: Dishwashers

 

Units: About 1.7 million in the United States

 

Manufacturer: Maytag Corp. of Newton, Iowa or Maytag Corp. of Benton Harbor, Mich.

 

Hazard: An electrical failure in the dishwasher’s heating element can pose a serious fire hazard.

 

Incidents/Injuries: Maytag has received 12 reports of dishwasher heating element failures that resulted in fires and dishwasher damage, including one report of extensive kitchen damage from a fire. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall includes Maytag®, Amana®, Jenn-Air®, Admiral®, Magic Chef®, Performa by Maytag® and Crosley® brand dishwashers with plastic tubs and certain serial numbers. The affected dishwashers were manufactured with black, bisque, white, silver and stainless steel front panels. The brand name is printed on the front of the dishwasher. The model and serial numbers are printed on a label located inside the plastic tub on a tag near the left side of the door opening. Serial numbers will start or end with one of the following sequences.

SERIAL number STARTING with OR SERIAL number ENDING with

NW39, NW40, NW41, NW42, NW43, NW44, NW45, NW46, NW47, NW48, NW49, NW50, NW51, NW52, NY01, NY02, NY03, NY04, NY05, NY06, NY07, NY08, NY09, NY10, NY11, NY12, NY13, NY14, NY15, NY16, NY17, NY18, NY19 JC, JE, JG, JJ, JL, JN, JP, JR, JT, JV, JX, LA, LC, LE, LG, LJ, LL, LN, LP, LR, LT, LV, LX, NA, NC, NE, NG, NJ, NL, NN, NP, NR

 

 

Sold at: Department and appliance stores and by homebuilders nationwide from February 2006 through April 2010 for between $250 and $900.

 

Manufactured in: United States

 

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled dishwashers, disconnect the electric supply by shutting off the fuse or circuit breaker controlling it, inform all users of the dishwasher about the risk of fire and contact Maytag to verify if their dishwasher is included in the recall. If the dishwasher is included in the recall, consumers can either schedule a free in-home repair or receive a rebate following the purchase of certain new Maytag brand stainless-steel tub dishwashers. The rebate is $150 if the consumer purchases new dishwasher models MDB7759, MDB7609 or MDBH979; or $250 if the consumer purchases new dishwasher models MDB8959, MDB8859, MDB7809 or MDB7709. Consumers should not return the recalled dishwashers to the retailer where purchased as retailers are not prepared to take the units back.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Maytag at (800) 544-5513 anytime, or visit the firm’s website at www.repair.maytag.com

 

CPSC Recall Notice January 7, 2010 Release # 10-103 Firm's Recall Hotline: (866) 695-2237 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908 Acer Recalls Notebook Computers Due to Burn Hazard WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of Product: Certain Acer Aspire-series Notebook Computers Units: About 22,000 Manufacturer: Acer America Corporation, of San Jose, Calif. Hazard: An internal microphone wire under the palm rest can short circuit and overheat. This poses a potential burn hazard to consumers. Incidents/Injuries: Acer has received three reports of computers short circuiting, resulting in slight melting of the external casing. No incidents occurred in the United States. No injuries have been reported. Description: The recalled notebook computer models are the Acer AS3410, AS3410T, AS3810T, AS3810TG, AS3810TZ and AS3810TZG. The computer’s screen size is about 13.3 inches measured diagonally. Not all units are affected. Consumers should contact Acer to determine if their unit is included in the recall. Sold at: ABS Computer Technologies, D&H Distributing, Fry’s Electronics, Ingram Micro, Radio Shack, SED/American Express, Synnex Corporation, SYX Distribution, Tech Data Corporation and other retailers nationwide and Amazon.com from June 2009 through October 2009 for between $650 and $1,150. Manufactured in: China Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled notebook computers immediately and contact Acer to determine if their notebook is affected and to receive a free repair. Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Acer toll-free at (866) 695-2237 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.acer.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 22, 2009 Release # 10-087 Firm’s Recall Hotline: (888) 272-4649 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908 Temperature and Pressure Relief Valves for Large Water Heaters Recalled by Watts Regulator Due to Rupture and Burn Hazards WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of Product: One-inch 140X-9 Temperature and Pressure Relief Valves Units: About 900 Manufacturer: Watts Regulator Co., of North Andover, Mass. Hazard: The relief valve can fail to reduce pressure and avert failure or rupture of the water heater tank and associated valves, posing rupture and burn hazard to consumers. Incidents/Injuries: None reported. Description: This recall involves the one-inch 140X-9 Temperature and Pressure Relief valves, which are typically used in large water heaters for commercial buildings or possibly for large homes. The valves bear item codes 0259844 (75 psi/210°F); 0259924 (100 psi/210°F); 0259708 (150 psi/210°F); 0259925 (125 psi/210°F); and 0259930 (150 psi/210°F). The affected date codes are 0641R through 0930R. The date code is printed after the model number “M15” on a green metal tag fastened to the pressure relief valve. Sold by: Authorized distributors nationwide from October 2006 through July 2009 for between $250 and $280. The valves were typically sold as replacement parts for large water heaters used in commercial locations or possibly large homes. Manufactured in: United States Remedy: Consumers should immediately contact Watts Regulator to schedule a free repair. Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Watts Regulator toll-free at (888) 272-4649 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.watts.com CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054. To join a CPSC e-mail subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain recall and general safety information by logging on to CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

PRODUCT RECALL
December 10, 2009 - Goodman Company reannounces recall of air conditioner/heat pump units due to fire hazard.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the Goodman Company, announced a voluntary recall of their Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner/Heat Pump (PTACs) Units. About 30,000 units were previously recalled in August 2008 and are being re-recalled.

* Manufacturer: Goodman Company, LP, of Houston, Texas
* Hazard: The power cords on the PTACs can overheat, posing a burn or fire hazard.
* Incidents/Injuries: Goodman has received eleven reports of smoke or fire associated with the PTAC's power cords. No injuries have been reported.
* Description: The recall includes 5.0 kW Amana-brand, Comfort-Aire-brand and Century-brand Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner units with model numbers PTxxx3x50xx (Amana) and EKTxxx-150x (Comfort-Aire and Century) and serial numbers 0702112056 through 0804237539. The model and serial numbers are located on the control board plate found under the PTAC unit's front cover.
* Sold at: Goodman and heating and cooling equipment dealers nationwide from February 2007 through June 2008 for between $700 and $1,000.

Here is a list of some of the recent recalls to could apply to homeowners. For a more comprehensive list of recalls that may not be listed here, go to http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html

 

 

NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 15, 2009 Release # 10-012 Firm's Recall Hotline: (888) 537-0881 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908 Single Meter Sockets Recalled by Milbank Manufacturing Due to Fire and Electrocution Hazards WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of Product: Single Meter Sockets Units: About 1,400 Manufacturer: Milbank Manufacturing Co., of Kansas City, Mo. Hazard: A short may occur while in use due to an incorrect bridge installed in the product, to which the meter clips are attached. If the manufacturing defect exists, all metal parts of the meter could create a shock or burns can occur if the cover is off and the meter socket is energized. Incidents/Injuries: Three incidents have been reported of the unit shorting out. No injuries were reported. Description: The single meter 200 amp/4 terminal sockets are used for underground utility meter installations. The meter socket is 20 3/4 inches high by 9 inches wide and 4 1/2 inches deep with 1 meter position. It is used by the approving utility to mount their electric meter to measure how much electricity a residence uses. It can be used for an underground residential application. The recalled model number 9090 appears on the right or left side of the installed meter socket. If not installed, model numbers U9090-O or R9090-O will appear on the label on the outside of the box. Sold at: Electrical supply distributors in N.Y., Pa., Vt. and Mass. and at local hardware stores in N.Y. from May 2009 through August 2009 for about $70. Manufactured in: United States Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled product immediately and contact the electrical supply contractor who installed the sockets. Contractors will contact Milbank Manufacturing for a replacement or reimbursement. Milbank will contact all distributors and stores where the recalled product was sold. Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Milbank Manufacturing's Sales Engineer toll-free at (888) 537-0881 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the company's Web site at www.milbankmfg.com To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10012.html

NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 25, 2009 Release #09-323 Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 394-8084 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908 CPSC, Goodman Manufacturing Co. Announce Changes to 1998 Recall Program to Replace Dangerous Home Heating Vent Pipes WASHINGTON, D.C. - The CPSC and Goodman Manufacturing Company, of Houston, TX, are urging consumers who have not yet responded to the previously-announced 1998 recall to do so immediately. After October 1, 2009, the remedy consumers receive will change to be identical to modifications recently announced for a related recall. The recall included about 10,000 Plexvent and Ultravent HTPV pipe systems attached to certain Goodman mid-efficiency furnaces manufactured from October 1988 to July 1994 (models GUP, GDP, GUPS, GDPS, GUPI, GDPI, GUPX, GDPX, GMP and GMPV for the following brands manufactured by Goodman: Janitrol, GMC, Hamilton Electric, Franklin, Liberty and Sears/Kenmore). The HTPV pipe used for these vents could be susceptible to corrosion, cracking and joint separation, which could result in the release of carbon monoxide (CO) into living areas, posing a danger to consumers. Goodman did not manufacture the HTPV pipe. The following table describes the different remedies available to consumers with qualifying furnaces that use the two leading brands of HTPV pipe – Plexvent and Ultravent. Plexvent owners Ultravent owners Valid claims initiated on or before October 1, 2009, with remediation completed and required documentation submitted by January 1, 2010. Will receive * a new, professionally-installed venting system free of charge or * a new, high-efficiency Goodman furnace and suitable vent for the manufacturer's price (of just the furnace), with no charge for labor, associated materials or dealer markup. Valid claims initiated after October 1, 2009 A rebate up to $400 toward either an HTPV replacement system, or a new, high-efficiency furnace from Goodman that does not require HTPV. A rebate up to $250 toward either an HTPV replacement system, or a new, high-efficiency furnace from Goodman that does not require HTPV. Consumers who register after October 1, 2009 and who choose to repair their systems will be responsible for up-front payment of parts, labor and permits, and will be responsible for arranging to have the work performed. Consumers should determine whether they have a recalled HTPV pipe system by checking the vent pipes attached to their natural gas furnace. Vent pipes subject to this recall can be identified as follows: * the vent pipes are plastic; * the vent pipes are colored gray or black; * "Plexvent," "Plexvent II" or "Ultravent" is stamped on the vent pipe or printed on stickers placed on pieces used to connect the vent pipes; and * the vent pipes are located on furnaces and the pipes go through the sidewalls of structures. Other plastic vent pipes, such as white PVC, are not included in the recall. Owners of Goodman furnaces that are vented with HTPV pipe should immediately call Goodman at (800) 394-8084 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday. CPSC reminds all consumers to have fuel-burning appliances professionally inspected each year to check for cracks or separations in the vents that could allow CO to leak into the home. In addition, CPSC recommends that every home should have at least one CO alarm.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 27, 2009 Release # 09-333 Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 449-9812 Sears’ Recall Hotline: (800) 449-9810 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908 Firm Media Contact: (614) 761-2633 Frigidaire and Kenmore Smoothtop Electric Ranges Recalled Due to Fire Hazard WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of Product: Certain Frigidaire and Kenmore Elite Smoothtop Electric Ranges Units: About 200,000 Manufacturer: Frigidaire, a division of Electrolux Home Products Inc., of Augusta, Ga. Hazard: Depending on the model, the surface heating elements can: 1) turn on spontaneously without being switched on; 2) fail to turn off after being switched off; or, 3) heat to different temperatures than selected. This poses a fire and burn hazard to consumers. Incidents/Injuries: Frigidaire has received 126 reports of incidents, including four reports of minor burns and two reports of minor property damage. Description: This recall involves Frigidaire, Frigidaire Gallery, Frigidaire Professional and Kenmore Elite smoothtop electric ranges with rotary knobs and digital displays. The following model and serial numbers are included in the recall: Frigidaire (Serial Number Range VF122xxxxx - VF831xxxxx) and Models Beginning with FEFBZ90GC FEFLMC55GC FEFLZ87GC GLEF396AB GLEF396AQ GLEF396AS GLEF396CQ GLEF396CS GLEFM397DB GLEFM397DQ GLEFM397DS GLEFM97FPB GLEFM97FPW GLEFM97GPB GLEFM97GPW LEEFM389FE PLEF398AC PLEF398CC PLEF398DC PLEFM399DC PLEFMZ99EC PLEFMZ99GC PLEFZ398EC PLEFZ398GC Kenmore Elite (Serial Number Range VF122xxxxx – VF334xxxxx) and Models Beginning with 790.99012 790.99013 790.99014 790.99019 The model and serial number can be found by opening the range drawer at the base of the unit. Sold at: Sears and other national chain and independent retailers nationwide from June 2001 through August 2009 for between $1,000 and $2,500. Manufactured in: United States Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled ranges immediately and contact Frigidaire or Sears to schedule a free repair. Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Frigidaire at (800) 449-9812 between 8 a.m. and midnight ET Monday through Saturday or visit the firm’s recall Web site at www.smoothtoprangerecall.com. Consumers who purchased their products at Sears should call Sears at (800) 449-9810 between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday.