Todson Recalls Bicycle Child Carrier Seats

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product.

Name of Product: Topeak Babyseat™ II Bicycle Carrier Seats Units: About 40,000

Importer: Todson Inc., of North Attleboro, Mass.

Hazard: A child can place his or her fingers in the opening at the grab bar's hinge mechanism. When the consumer lifts the grab bar to remove the child from the seat, the child's fingertips can be caught in the hinge mechanism, posing a laceration and fingertip amputation hazard to the child.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received two reports of incidents including near amputations that resulted in stitches and a crushed finger.

Description: This recall involves Topeak Babyseat II bicycle carrier seats with model numbers TCS2100, TCS2101 and TCS2102. Model numbers are printed on the product's packaging. The gray, plastic Babyseats were sold in three styles: Babyseat, Babyseat with disc brake compatible rack and Babyseat with non-disc brake compatible rack. The racks are used to mount the seat to the bicycle. "Topeak" is embossed on the back of the seat and is also printed on a black foam protector that covers the grab bar. A red locking lever on the side of the blue grab bar locks the bar into place.

Sold at: J&B Imports, REI, Action and Hawley, independent bicycle dealers, distributors and other retail stores nationwide and online at REI.com from January 2009 through April 2012 for between $140 and $180.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled carrier seats and contact Todson to receive a free hinge cover retrofit kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Todson at (800) 250-3068 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.todson.com

Honda recalls 550,000 Pilots and CR-Vs for Headlight Failure

Honda announced today that it will recall approximately 554,000 model-year 2002-2004 CR-V and 2003 Pilot vehicles in the United States to inspect and replace components of the headlight wiring system.

There is a potential failure with the wiring of the headlight switch which may cause the low beam headlights to become inoperative. The loss of the low beam headlights may increase the risk of a crash.

Mailed notification to customers will begin in late-April 2012.

In addition to contacting customers by mail, in late-April, owners of these vehicles will be able to determine if their vehicles require repair by going on-line to www.recalls.honda.com or by calling (800) 999-1009, and selecting option 4.

Source: www.honda.com

Crash tests of midsized cars released

Lots of improvement apparently, although side and rear protection remains weak:

Occupant protection in side impacts of midsize cars is improving as automakers introduce safer designs and add side airbags as standard equipment. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently completed front, side, and rear tests of seven 2008 model midsize cars, both moderately priced and luxury: Chevrolet Malibu, Dodge Avenger, Infiniti G35, Kia Optima, Mitsubishi Galant, Nissan Altima, and Saturn Aura. All earn the highest rating of good for occupant protection in frontal crashes. All but the Kia Optima earn the top rating of good for side crash protection (Malibu's rating applies to cars built after February 2008). Rear crash protection results vary more widely. Among the seats/head restraints evaluated, only those in the Optima earn a good rating.

"The side impact results represent a huge change from just four years ago," says Institute senior vice president David Zuby. "In 2004 we tested 10 midsize moderately priced cars, and all 10 were rated poor in their standard configurations without side airbags." In the 2004 tests, only the previous generations of the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and Chevrolet Malibu earned good ratings when tested with side airbags, which then were optional equipment.

"Side airbags were mostly optional in our first round of side impact tests of midsize cars," Zuby says. "A major change is that side airbags are standard in every one of the seven midsize cars we tested this time around. Auto manufacturers have been moving quickly to make side airbags standard, even on lower priced models."

Read the rest here at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Sudden vehicle acceleration in the news again

Some in-depth reporting on the Toyota Tacoma from the Detroit Free Press:

It's a wonder Frank Visconi walked away from the crash that turned his new Toyota Tacoma pickup into an unrecognizable mush of metal, plastic and dirt. But Visconi has a different wonder -- why Toyota doesn't believe his complaints of sudden acceleration....

Toyota spokesman Bill Kwong says the company has found no problems with the Tacoma that would explain the complaints.

"We don't feel it's an issue with the vehicle," he said. Regulators "get sudden acceleration complaints from consumers for various manufacturers ... and in most cases they have found it's a misapplication of the pedals by the driver."

But attorneys and safety advocates argue that sudden acceleration complaints are symptoms of defects, including electronic failures in increasingly complex vehicle-control systems that may leave no trace and can't be easily reproduced by a mechanic.

If there "were truly human error, there would be a proportional distribution across models," said Clarence Ditlow, who has spent years researching sudden acceleration as head of the Center for Auto Safety in Washington. "It's very difficult to explain how some makes and models have higher numbers of complaints than others absent some flaw in the vehicle."

Polaris Industries recalls ATVs

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: Select "Outlaw IRS" ATVs, Model Year 2006-2008

Units: About 11,300

Manufacturer: Polaris Industries Inc., of Medina, Minn.

Hazard: A retention bolt can come loose causing the rear wheels to lock up, which poses a risk of serious injury to the rider.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 11 reports of loss of control, including one rider who suffered a strained leg muscle.

Description: The recall involves select 2006-2008 Polaris “Outlaw” ATVs with Independent Rear Suspension (IRS). The affected models are:

Model
2006 OUTLAW 500 “IRS”
2007 OUTLAW 500 “IRS”
2007 OUTLAW 525 “IRS”
2008 OUTLAW 525 “IRS”

The model name is printed on decals located on either side of the fuel tank.

Sold at: Polaris dealers nationwide from January 2006 through January 2008 for between $6,900 and $7,400.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled ATVs immediately, and contact any Polaris ATV dealer to schedule a free repair. Polaris has notified registered consumers directly about this recall.

Consumer Contact: For further information, contact Polaris toll-free at (888) 704-5290 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the company's Web site at www.polarisindustries.com

Nissan Murano scores high in SUV crash tests

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has picked the 2009 Nissan Murano as their top safety pick in crash-testing of SUVs. (Video available at that link as well.)

Yorkcraft™ Emergency Tool Kits recalled for fire and shock hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, has announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Emergency Tool Kits

Units: About 43,000

Distributor: B&F System Inc., of Dallas, Texas

Hazard: Booster cables in the recalled kits can have undersized wiring and inadequate connections, posing a fire and shock hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled emergency tool kits have booster cables in combination with other tools and safety equipment. The recall includes the following models:

#MTHEK41 - Yorkcraft™ 41 piece SAE & Metric kit

#MTHEKSM - Yorkcraft™ 6 piece kit

#MTHEKREF - Yorkcraft™ 15 piece kit

#MTHEK15 - Yorkcraft™ 15 piece kit

#MTEKIT2 - Yorkcraft™ Emergency Tool Kit

Sold at: Flea markets and various Internet sites nationwide from June 2003 through May 2007 for between $5 and $45.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the booster cables in the recalled kits immediately and contact the firm to receive a refund for the cost of the cables.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact B&F System toll-free at (877) 586-2926 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.bnfusa.com

Clarion recalls vehicle navigation systems

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, has announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: N.I.C.E. P200 Navigation and Entertainment Systems

Units: About 1,500 additional units (about 2,500 were recalled in December 2006)

Distributor: Clarion Corp. of America, of Cypress, Calif.

Manufacturer: Kiryung Electronics of Seoul, South Korea

Hazard: The lithium-ion batteries in these units can melt or overheat posing burn and fire hazards to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Clarion has received 15 reports of the units melting or overheating. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The N.I.C.E. P200 is a black portable navigation and entertainment device that can be attached to a vehicle’s windshield. The device has a 4-inch touch screen LCD monitor and contains one lithium battery. “Clarion” and “N.I.C.E. P200” are printed on the device. “Clarion NAVBATTERY” is printed on the battery. The recall includes any N.I.C.E. P200 in which batteries were previously replaced.

Sold at: Car audio and mobile electronics stores nationwide from May 2006 through August 2007 for a suggested retail price of $800.

Manufactured in: South Korea

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled batteries immediately and contact Clarion Corp. for a full refund, information on returning the product, and a postage paid envelope to return the product.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Clarion Corp. at (800) 347-8667 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT, email parts@clarion.com, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.clarion.com

Ford recalling 3.6 million vehicles over cruise control concerns

From Forbes:

Ford said the recall covered more than a dozen vehicle models built from 1992-2007. The company said it was responding to concerns from owners about the safety of their cars and questions about the speed control deactivation switch in the vehicles that is powered at all times....

"Customers remain concerned about the long-term durability of the speed control system and about the safety of their vehicles," said Ford spokesman Dan Jarvis.

He said the automaker had received "a few reports of fires" in Ford Crown Victoria passenger cars prior to the recall. He did not have a precise number.

The recall involves the following vehicles: 1998-2002 Ford Ranger, 1992-1997 Lincoln Town Car, 1992-1997 Ford Crown Victoria, 1992-1997 Mercury Grand Marquis, 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII, 1993-1995 Taurus SHO, 1999-2001 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer.

Also covered are the 2001-2002 Ford Explorer Sport, 2001-2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, 1992-1993 E150-350 vans, 1997-2002 E150-350 vans, 1993 Ford F-Series pickups, 1993 Ford Bronco, 1994 Mercury Capri, 2003-2004 Ford F-150 Lightning, and 1995-2002 Ford F53 motor homes.

More here.

Sherwin-Williams recalls Hi-Heat ™ Coating Cans

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firms 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: Hi-Heat Aerosol Coating Cans

Units: About 3,000

Manufacturer: The Sherwin-Williams Co., of Cleveland, Ohio

Hazard: The aerosol cans can over-pressurize and explode, posing a risk of injury to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Sherwin-Williams has received one report of a consumer who suffered serious facial injuries including a broken jaw, broken teeth and nose, split lip, and a shattered eye socket when a can exploded.

Description: The recall involves Thermo-Tec Hi-Heat aerosol coating used to color and protect Thermo-Tec automotive exhaust wrap. The part number (#12002) is printed above the UPC, and the date code (#B1815) is written on the bottom of the can. The 11-ounce aerosol can is mostly blue with orange and yellow flames and has an aluminum-colored cap. The can states “HI-HEAT COATING 2000°F” in large white letters on the front of the can.

Sold at: Automotive supply stores, repair shops, and parts suppliers nationwide from August 2005 through June 2007 for about $20.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should not handle the cans and contact Sherwin-Williams immediately. A representative will be dispatched within 48 hours to safely collect the recalled cans. Consumers will be sent a $15.00 check for each recalled can that is collected.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, call Sherwin-Williams at (800) 523-9299 between 7:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. CT Saturday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.sherwin-williams.com

Brake Cylinder Recalled By Magura USA for Brake Failure Hazard on Off-Road Motorcycles

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, has announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: 190 Radial Brake Master Cylinders (used on off-road motorcyles)

Units: About 200

Distributor: Magura USA, of Olney, Ill.

Manufacturer: Gustav Magenwirth GmbH, of Bad Urach, Germany

Hazard: The brake cylinder on the off-road motorcycle can crack and result in brake failure. This poses a risk of severe injury or death to the driver.

Incidents/Injuries: No incidents or injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves 190 Radial Brake Master Cylinders used on off-road motorcycles. The brake cylinders have an “A” or “B” code on the underside of the lever’s pivot bolt. The Magura logo is printed on the cylinder. Brake cylinders without the “A” or “B” markings are not included in this recall.

Sold by: Motorcycle dealers nationwide, mail-order catalogues and Web retailers from August 2005 through May 2007 for about $420.

Manufactured in: Germany

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the off-road motorcycles with recalled brake cylinders and contact Magura USA to receive a replacement product.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Magura USA at (800) 448-3876 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.magurausa.com - consumers can also email the firm at techquestion@magurausa.com or write to Magura USA at 724 West Clem Street, Olney, Ill. 62450.

Business Week explores the Chinese tire problem

This isn't a blog about the problems with Chinese products, but they certainly have had a rough stretch. Business Week weighed in with this piece yesterday about an importer whose business may be ruined by the problems with Chinese-made tires:

Richard Kuskin was sitting in the dingy basement office of his Union (N.J.) import firm one day in May, 2006, when the phone rang. One of his distributors in New Mexico was on the line. There had been an accident involving an ambulance riding on Chinese-made tires sold by Kuskin's firm, Foreign Tires Sales Inc. The tires had blown out, causing the driver to lose control. No one was hurt. Still, the incident scared Kuskin. For several months he'd had a nagging feeling that his Chinese partner, Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co., had cut out a key safety technology. For Kuskin, the ambulance incident was like a flashing red warning light.

After hanging up, Kuskin called his engineer, Gary Eiber, and dispatched him to New Mexico with instructions to inspect the shredded tires. Then Kuskin called a product liability attorney. Kuskin knew the costs of a recall could crush his company, which has 13 employees and last year sold just 700,000 tires. He also knew that getting Hangzhou Zhongce to pay for some of the recall would be hard. Chinese companies aren't legally obligated to execute U.S.-ordered recalls, and, says Kuskin, his supplier was denying there was a problem. "I didn't sleep too good that night," he recalls.

There were more sleepless nights to come. Over the next few months, consumer complaints about faulty tires made by Hangzhou Zhongce and sold by Foreign Tire and several other companies trickled in. There were more accidents, including a fatal one that has sparked a lawsuit and prompted the Feds to recall 450,000 tires. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is now weighing an investigation into whether FTS moved quickly enough when the first tire defects were reported. NHTSA is also looking into whether other tire distributors have also sold potentially faulty tires manufactured by Hangzhou Zhongce.

What to do when buying a used car

Iowa's Attorney General Tom Miller advises us:

When you find a car you like, take your time, ask questions, and check it out.

• Test-drive the vehicle, and take it to your mechanic for inspection.
  

• Never buy a car without test-driving it first, and never buy a car from someone who won’t let you take it to a mechanic for a pre-sale inspection.
  

• Research the car’s history. For a fee, private services like Carfax and Autocheck may be able to tell you whether the vehicle has ever been titled as salvage, flood-damaged, or rebuilt, or if it has ever had an odometer mileage discrepancy.
  

• If you have a trade-in, consider selling the vehicle yourself. You likely will get more for the trade-in, simplify your purchase contract, and reduce the chances of confusion, fraud, or other problems resulting from your negotiations and purchase.
  

• Check the paperwork on the car before signing a purchase contract. Examine the odometer and damage disclosure statements.
  

• Offer a fair price, and focus on the total purchase price. (If you focus only on the monthly payment amount, you may end up paying more than the car is worth.)
  

• Watch what you sign -- once you sign a contract to buy, there generally is no three-day right to cancel. [Note: this may vary from state to state!] Put any disputes or other important issues in writing. Be ready to walk away if you aren’t satisfied with a deal. Be comfortable with your purchase.

This is sound advice. Learn to do more than just kick the tires and you may save yourself - and your wallet - a lot of heartache.

Tags: consumers, automobiles