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CPSC, Fisher-Price Announce Recall to Repair Power Wheels Ride-On Battery-Powered Vehicles October 22, 1998
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SourceUnited States Consumer Product Safety CommissionForumsHealth, Safety, Nutrition and KidsRelated ArticlesA Consumer Guide to Product Safety RecallsCPSC Hotline Information For Immediate Release; |
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Fisher-Price, of East Aurora, N.Y., is conducting a voluntary recall involving up to 10 million battery-powered Power Wheels ride-on cars and trucks. The vehicles' electrical components can overheat and cause fires. Children can suffer injuries from fires and house fires can occur. Additionally, wiring problems can prevent the vehicles from stopping. CPSC and Fisher-Price have received approximately 700 reports of electrical components failing and overheating while the cars and trucks were being ridden, charged, parked or stored. About 150 fires have been reported. Nine children suffered minor burns to the hands, legs, or feet; and up to $300,000 in property damage to 22 houses and garages have been reported. There have also been 71 reports of vehicles not stopping. Six children suffered bruises, scratches or bumps when their vehicles hit a car, truck, pole, window or fence. Power Wheels Service Centers will repair the vehicles. These service centers will install the new parts free of charge and give all recalled vehicles a free safety check-up and tune-up. The recalled Power Wheels cars and trucks have been sold under nearly 100 model names. The Power Wheels logo and the model name are on each vehicle. All models with two batteries are recalled, and certain models with one battery are recalled. The company will help consumers identify if their model is part of the recall. Power Wheels cars and trucks are intended for children 2 to 7 years old, and the vehicles' speed ranges from 1 to 5 mph, depending on the model. Toy and mass merchandise stores nationwide sold the cars and trucks since 1984 for about $70 to $300. Consumers should remove the vehicles' batteries right away and not let children use these Power Wheels vehicles until the repair has been made at the service center. To schedule the repair, consumers should call Power Wheels at (800) 977-7800 anytime or access the company's web site at www.powerwheels.com/special/default.asp. Again, the company will help consumers identify if their vehicles are part of the recall. Power Wheels sold after October 1998 are not involved in this recall.   Model names, including, but not limited to: 12 Volt Battery Models
Super 6 Volt Battery Models
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