2002 Product Recalls

Plush Snuggle® Bears Recalled for Choking Hazard

The eyes and noses of these bears can come off, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Consumers should take these bears away from young children immediately and contact Unilever Home and Personal Care USA for information on how to receive a coupon for free Snuggle fabric softener.

DAIMLERCHRYSLER/INADVERTENT VEHICLE MOVEMENT

INADVERTENT MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SECONDARY DETENT SYSTEM TO THE FLOOR SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. DAIMLERCHRYSLER SENT INTERIM NOTICES TO OWNERS CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM ON MARCH 22, 2002. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 23, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

HONDA/FMVSS 209/REAR CENTER SEAT BELT BUCKLE

THE REAR SEAT BELTS WILL WORK PROPERLY AND PROVIDE PROTECTION IN A CRASH, BUT THE OWNER MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY UNFASTENING THE BELT AFTER THE CRASH.

IN A PREVIOUS RECALL (01V-380), ONLY RIGHT AND LEFT BUCKLES WERE INSPECTED. THE REAR CENTER BUCKLE SHOULD ALSO BE INSPECTED AND CORRECTED IF NECESSARY. THIS RECALL IS BEING CONDUCTED ONLY FOR THE CENTER BUCKLE. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE IMRPOPERLY MANUFACTURED. ONLY BUCKLES THAT ARE MARKED (ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE BUCKLE) WITH AN ASSEMBLY NUMBER BEGINNING WITH 00185, 00186, OR 00187, WILL BE REPLACED. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THEIR DEALER FOR THIS REPLACEMENT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 5, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

NISSAN/THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM

THIS WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP TO COME ON AND THE ENGINE SPEED TO BE SEVERELY LIMITED. IF THIS OCCURS UNEXPECTEDLY, IT COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW ACCELERATOR PEDAL STOPPER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 11, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 800-662-6200.

PIERCE/FEDERAL SIGNAL/FIRE-RAY STROBE LIGHTS

THIS CONDITION COULD BE LIFE-THREATENING SHOULD A SMALL CHILD OR A PERSON WITH A HEART CONDITION EXPERIENCE A SEVERE ELECTRICAL SHOCK. ALSO, A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD EXISTS.

FEDERAL SIGNAL WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS TO RETURN THE DEFECTIVE LIGHTS FOR A REPLACEMENT FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION WAS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FEDERAL SIGNAL'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 800-433-9132 OR PIERCE AT 920-832-3000.

OshKosh B'Gosh Newborn Girls' Garments Recalled for Choking Hazard

The fabric, heat-sealed flowers on the front of the garments can detach after washing, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Consumers should stop using these garments immediately and return them to OshKosh B'Gosh, for a refund.

Zowie's 123 Children's Book Recalled for Choking Hazard

The books have a plastic abacus-like toy attached to the back cover, that contains five plastic beads. The beads can separate from the book cover, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Consumers should immediately take these recalled books away from young children and return the books to Disney Press for a full refund and postage. Mail the books to Disney Press, Attn: Zowie 123, 114 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011 and use six first-class stamps per book. Be sure to include a return address and phone number.

DAIMLERCHRYSLER/PDC WIRE

THIS COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE INSTALLATION OF THE ALTERNATOR WIRE CONNECTION TO THE PDC AND IF NECESSARY, REPOSITION THE WIRE SO THAT THE CRIMP CONNECTION WILL FACE UPWARD AND TIGHTEN THE FASTENER TO THE CORRECT TORQUE SETTING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 20, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

DAIMLERCHRYSLER/PARKING BRAKE

THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY WITH A STRONGER PAWL RETURN SPRING. OWNER NOTIFICATON BEGAN SEPTEMBER 30, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Outdoor Lanterns Recalled for Fire Hazard

The solder attaching the hanger at the top of the lantern may melt from the heat of a candle, causing the lantern to detach from the hanger, posing a fire hazard.

Consumers should stop using the lanterns immediately and contact Harry and David to receive a full refund. Purchasers were sent direct mail notification of this recall.

COOPER/INNERLINER TEARS

WHEN THIS CONDITION EXISTS, IT COULD RESULT IN ACCELERATED AIR LOSS. LOSS OF AIR COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

COOPER IS NOTIFYING ITS CUSTOMERS TO HAVE THEIR TIRES REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT COOPER'S CUSTOMER RELATIONS AT 800-854-6288. ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

COOPER/PINHOLE IN TIRE SIDEWALL

SHOULD THE AIR LOSS NOT BE DETECTED, THE LOSS OF THE INFLATING AIR MIGHT RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

COOPER IS NOTIFYING ITS CUSTOMERS TO HAVE THEIR TIRES REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT COOPER'S CUSTOMER RELATIONS AT 800-854-6288. ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

INDIAN MOTORCYCLE/GAS TANK VENTING SYSTEM

THIS CLOGGING PREVENTS THE VENTING SYSTEM FROM ALLOWING PRESSURE TO ESCAPE FROM THE GAS TANK, WHICH COULD RESULT IN GAS FLOWING BACK INTO THE CARBURETOR AND POSSIBLY SPILLING ONTO THE GROUND.

ALL MOTORCYCLES HAVE BEEN INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, CORRECTED. THIS CAMPAIGN IS 100% COMPLETED.

Moveable baseboard Heaters Recalled for Fire Hazard

The heating element in these baseboard heaters can short-circuit and ignite combustible material under the heater, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.

Consumers should stop using these heaters immediately, unplug them, and contact HCP to determine whether their heater is part of the recall. Consumers with recalled units will be given instructions on how to mail them back to HCP, in order to receive a free replacement heater.

VOLVO TRUCKS/DRIVE AXLE

THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF AXLE STABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE UPPER AXLE SEAT FOR A CERTAIN DATE CODE THAT IS STAMPED ON THE PART, AND THOSE AXLES WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

FORD/REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL CASE

DIFFERENTIAL FRACTURES COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN WHEEL LOCK-UP.