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February 7, 2012

Recall Corner: Ford motors crowd Recall forecourt

Ford Fusion.jpgRecently we featured a hybrid car in Recall Corner and now here comes a whole fleet of contenders vying for the same parking slot! Start your engines, Ford Fusions, Milans, and Freestar SUVs (!), and also BMW Minis!

It's hard, in fact, to keep track of all the Ford recalls, across various models.

For Escape SUVs - with year range 2001 to 2002 being under the recall - the "brake fluid can leak from the master cylinder cap and lead to corrosion that could cause a fire," reports SlashGear.

Continue reading "Recall Corner: Ford motors crowd Recall forecourt" »

January 5, 2012

Recall Corner: Hybrid car's batteries threatened by coolant leakage

Fisker Karma.jpgA US hybrid car finds itself reversing carefully into Recall Corner. The Fisker Karma is the motor in question.

Apparently - "in rare circumstances" - the car's batteries could short-circuit due to coolant leakage from "misaligned hose clamps." This could possibly result in a fire...

Engadget writes:
A battery issue previously thought to affect around 50 cars will actually result in the recall of 239. GigaOM points out an NHTSA notice confirming a problem with the positioning of hose clamps on the high-voltage Li-Ion batteries. It could result in said hoses leaking coolant into the battery creating the risk of an electrical short-circuit (still not seeing how this is a bad thing) and fire (oh), which the company will resolve by replacing the batteries.

Continue reading "Recall Corner: Hybrid car's batteries threatened by coolant leakage" »

December 13, 2011

Recall Corner: iPhone, iPod battery cases warm to their task

Mophie recall.jpgA couple of iPhone and iPod battery chargers find themselves in the last Recall Corner before Christmas. Not quite Apple accessories 'warming themselves into an open fire', but the overheating hazard is enough for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada to issue recalls...

First up is the Mophie iPod Touch Rechargeable External Battery. The company has received 110 reports of the product becoming warm to the touch, with 44 reports of the product becoming deformed, and nine reports of minor burns.

The hazard? "The battery case's integrated circuit switch can overheat, posing a burn hazard to consumers," says the CPSC.

Continue reading "Recall Corner: iPhone, iPod battery cases warm to their task" »

October 13, 2011

Recall Corner: Sony Bravia LCD TVs

Sony Bravia KDL-40D3400.gifNo less a distinguished company than Sony is the first to become a double-entrant of Recall Corner.

It caught my eye, on Engadget, that Sony is in the process of checking some of its prestige Bravia LCD TVs - a component has been found to overheat, potentially causing the TV to ignite. The models are all LCDs and have been sold in Europe since June 2007.

The figure quoted is a staggering 1.6 million units, but it is not a full recall of all Bravias. Instead, Sony is apparently promising that anyone concerned about their Bravia can request a "Sony service representative" to come to their home to inspect their TV, for free...

Continue reading "Recall Corner: Sony Bravia LCD TVs" »

September 30, 2011

Recall Corner: LG Electronics dehumidifiers

goldstar humidifier.jpgDehumidifiers are the latest entrant in our humble little Recall Corner... The US Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning of the recall of 98,000 Goldstar or Comfort-Aire dehumidifiers, made by LG Electronics.

The problem is, they report, that the power connector for the dehumidifier's compressor can short circuit, and this poses a serious fire and burn hazards to consumers' property. While no injuries have been reported, the effect is serious enough to have caused one million dollars' worth of damage...

Continue reading "Recall Corner: LG Electronics dehumidifiers" »

August 23, 2011

Recall Corner: Philips Lighting EnergySaver compact fluorescents

Philips bulb recall.jpgPhilips is the latest distinguished company to find itself in Recall Corner. Due to a "Laceration Hazard", the US Consumer Product Safety Commission is advising consumers to stop using the recalled products immediately.

The lights affected are the EnergySaver models, aka the Marathon or Marathon Classic Compact Fluorescent Dimmable Reflector lamps...

"The glue that attaches the glass outer envelope or globe to the body of the lamp can fail allowing the glass outer envelope to fall and strike persons and objects below, posing a laceration hazard to consumers," reports the CPSC.

Continue reading "Recall Corner: Philips Lighting EnergySaver compact fluorescents" »

August 8, 2011

Recall Corner: Pogoplug video sharing gets hot

Pogoplug Video File Sharing Device.jpgMedia streaming, video sharing, digital convergence... they've long been a major theme of consumer electronics. But one company that joined the party is currently standing in Recall Corner.

Cloud Engines' Pogoplug Video File Sharing Device is being recalled due to a fire hazard.

The problem is that the unit can overheat, eventually emitting excessive heat, sparks, smoke or even catching fire. The company has apparently received three such reports of the units overheating. One device caught fire, one device emitted smoke, and one device melted, damaging the desk it was on, reports the Health Canada Safety Commission.

Continue reading "Recall Corner: Pogoplug video sharing gets hot" »

July 14, 2011

Recall Corner: Flaming toaster does more than burn toast

Flaming toaster.jpgIt's a hazard when a toaster can be turned on but not off. It will find itself in Recall Corner...

The Hamilton Beach classic chrome 2-slice toaster has come to the attention of US authorities and is now part of a voluntary recall.

The problem, reports the CPSC, is that "the heating element in these toasters can remain energized indefinitely when an item is placed in the toaster which may ignite the contents, posing a fire hazard if the toaster is near flammable items".

Continue reading "Recall Corner: Flaming toaster does more than burn toast" »

July 12, 2011

HP lithium-ion battery recall reprise

HP recall battery.jpgWe've been here before, but HP has expanded it's recall of notebook computer batteries, due to a fire hazard. Consumers are urged by the CPSC to recheck notebook models and to stop using the affected products immediately...

The Lithium-ion batteries used in HP and Compaq notebook computers are the items concerned and about 162,600 additional batteries are now said to be involved, by the US consumer protection organisation (54,000 and 70,000 batteries were previously recalled in May 2010 and May 2009, respectively).

Continue reading "HP lithium-ion battery recall reprise" »

June 11, 2011

Recall Corner: Lacerating General Electric food processors

General Electric Food Processors.jpg
A new entrant to Recall Corner is General Electric, for its Food Processors, and - like the recent Bedroom lock fails to fail safe post - it involves a safety system failure.

Last month it voluntarily issued a recall for about 255,000 units of the GE Food Processors, which were sold from Walmart stores across the US, and Walmart.com. Manufactured in China, they were sold between September 2009 and February 2011 for a retail price of about $50.

The potential hazard is described by the CPSC thus:

Continue reading "Recall Corner: Lacerating General Electric food processors" »

March 10, 2011

CPSC awards to honour Consumer Product Safety Leaders

Consumer Product Safety Commission award logo.jpgIt seems only fair to flag this one - a set of awards to honour "Consumer Product Safety Leaders" - given how much we have used CPSC information in our Recall Corner series.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission are seeking to identify people and organisations that have made significant contributions to consumer product safety.

Continue reading "CPSC awards to honour Consumer Product Safety Leaders" »

March 11, 2011

Recall Corner: FÖRSTÅ coffee maker

Ikea Forsta coffee pot.jpgFlat pack furniture specialists Ikea are the latest to find themselves stationed in a newly redesigned, scandinavian-styled Recall Corner (situated in a dimly-lit shortcut between the lighting section and the cafe)...

The company has recalled its FÖRSTÅ coffee/tea maker, and is asking customers to stop using the product immediately and bring it back to any IKEA store for a full refund.

It reports:

Continue reading "Recall Corner: FÖRSTÅ coffee maker" »

February 11, 2011

Recall Corner: Intel Cougar Point chipset

SandyBridge_Desktop_Chip2.jpgIt's an obvious contender for Recall Corner - Intel's "Cougar Point" chipset, used with "Sandy Bridge" Intel Core processors (pictured). Among the companies issuing recalls for affected products are Acer, MSI, HP, Toshiba and Samsung...

The systems sold to end-users are Second Generation Core i5 and Core i7 quad-core based systems.

The "chipset design error" affects Intel's 6 Series Cougar Point chipsets, to be precise. The problem? An issue with the performance of SATA ports, potentially affecting HDD and optical drives.

You can read Intel's account of the design issues. it begins:

Continue reading "Recall Corner: Intel Cougar Point chipset" »

February 7, 2011

Recall Corner: LED lamp overheating

Eco-Story LED.jpgA new entrant to Recall Corner is the manufacturer Eco-Story, of Portland, Maine.

Last month it voluntarily issued a recall for 42,000 LED low voltage MR-16 lamps (sold between January 2007 and October 2010) due to concerns over overheating. When used without a Class II transformer, reports the US CPSC, the lamp can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

Eco-story says it discovered the issue when a customer reported that two MR-16s melted in their fixtures in mid-2010. These two instances, say the company, are the only times that it has received a report of such problems. No one has been injured.

Continue reading "Recall Corner: LED lamp overheating" »

January 10, 2011

Recall corner: Sump pumps and ground faults

goulds pumps st51.jpgGround faults (an unintentional electrical path between a power source and a grounded surface) feature in the latest Recall Corner - sump pumps installed without ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection find themselves in this position, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The affected pumps - sold between  December 2009 and July 2010 - can pose an electric shock or electrocution hazard if touched by the consumer. Specifically, they are ITT Water Technology pumps sold under the brand names of Goulds, Red Jacket or Bell & Gossett.

Continue reading "Recall corner: Sump pumps and ground faults" »

October 7, 2010

Recall Corner: Garmin nüvi battery PCBs

Garmin nuvi.jpg
Garmin has navigated its way into Recall Corner.

The GPS specialists have voluntarily recalled certain nüvi devices, due to overheating issues.

The units in question - reportedly 1.25 million - contain a specific battery that was manufactured by a battery supplier within a specific date range. The company says:

Continue reading "Recall Corner: Garmin nüvi battery PCBs" »

September 23, 2010

Recall Corner: Toshiba T Series laptops

recalled toshibas.jpgToshiba laptops find themselves cooling their heels in the latest Recall Corner (joining Sony, Acer and HP). Over forty thousand T Series units, to be precise, due to a risk of overheating...

Earlier this month Toshiba announced a worldwide, voluntary recall of the laptops due to the threat of overheating becoming a burn hazard.

Continue reading "Recall Corner: Toshiba T Series laptops" »

September 6, 2010

Recall Corner: Ferrari 458 Italia sports car

ferrari 458 italia.jpgRecall Corner is no respecter of brand or reputation, as evinced by the expensive and luxurious 458 Italia sports car - which costs around $250,000 - now reversing edgily into the aforesaid corner...

It is the threat of the models catching fire that has sparked the recall.

Ferrari has said its engineers are investigating five reports of "thermal incidents", reports the BBC. As a result, more than 1,200 vehicles are being called in for modification work.

The BBC states:

Continue reading "Recall Corner: Ferrari 458 Italia sports car" »

August 9, 2010

Recall Corner: Maytag dishwasher

maytag dishwasher inside.jpgMaytag dishwashers are the latest entrant to our Recall Corner. An electrical failure in the dishwasher's heating element can pose a serious fire hazard, according to the company.

About 1.7 million units are affected by the recall programme.

Maytag states:

Continue reading "Recall Corner: Maytag dishwasher" »

July 26, 2010

Recall Corner: Sony VAIO laptops

Sony+SONY+Vaio+VPCF11J0E.jpgSony is standing in Recall Corner, reports PC Pro. Sony has warned that certain VAIO laptops could overheat after the discovery of a temperature gauge error.

The VAIO VPCF11 and VPCCW2 series models are involved, and 535,000 units are believed to be affected.

Continue reading "Recall Corner: Sony VAIO laptops" »

June 17, 2010

Recall Corner: Shock hazard WindTunnel Hoover

recall hoover.jpgThe latest entrant to Recall Corner is Hoover, and its WindTunnel T-Series Bagless Upright vacuum cleaners. Fire and electric shock hazards are the reason for the recall.
"The power cord is not properly routed or securely seated in the cord rewind assembly allowing the power cord to be pulled loose. This poses fire and shock hazards," states the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.
According to the CPSC, Hoover has received three reports of minor burns to carpet and furniture and one of a minor burn to a user's hand.

Continue reading "Recall Corner: Shock hazard WindTunnel Hoover" »

June 7, 2010

Recall Corner: HP notebook Lithium-Ion batteries

HP Pavillion DV2000.jpgHP is in Recall Corner, or its Lithium-Ion batteries are, to be precise.

In co-operation with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, HP is voluntarily recalling 54,000 Lithium-Ion batteries used in Hewlett-Packard and Compaq notebook computers (70,000 units were previously recalled in May 2009).

Continue reading "Recall Corner: HP notebook Lithium-Ion batteries" »

May 11, 2010

Recall Corner: Targus Universal Wall Power Adapter for laptops

Targus adapter.jpgThe manufacturer of the Targus Universal Wall Power Adapter for laptops - Comarco - is the latest entrant to our Recall Corner, and the power theme continues.

The adapter is being recalled after a number of reports of over-heating connector tips. Approximately 500,000 units, which were manufactured in China, are involved.

Slashgear reports:

Continue reading "Recall Corner: Targus Universal Wall Power Adapter for laptops" »

April 16, 2010

Recall Corner: Mares Nemo scuba dive computers

Nemo scuba dive computers.jpgThe latest entrants to Recall Corner are Mares Nemo Air Dive Computers.

These feature a digital screen that allows scuba divers to measure the time and depth of a dive, reports the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. They also perform other calculations for safe dive times and ascent rates.

Specifically, the voluntary recall involves the Mares Nemo Air Dive Computer, Nemo Air Dive Computer with Compass, Mares High Pressure Hose with Quick Connector for Nemo Air, and Quick Connector Assembly for Nemo Air.

The hazard is described as follows:

Continue reading "Recall Corner: Mares Nemo scuba dive computers" »

April 5, 2010

Recall Corner: Lithium-ion Mobile Power Pack

tumi mobile power pack.jpg
Lithium-ion cells figure largely one way or another on Made By Monkeys, and also on the US Consumer Product Safety Commission lists.

The two come together in the latest Recall Corner, which features Mobile Power Packs, designed to make power charges portable, and recalled by Tumi.

The hazard is described by the CPSC: "The lithium-ion cells used in the Mobile Power Pack can ignite or explode while charging, posing a fire hazard. This hazard is only present for units that have not been charged." 

Continue reading "Recall Corner: Lithium-ion Mobile Power Pack" »

March 17, 2010

Recall corner: Remote control kits for electric fireplaces

fire remotes 150.jpgTalking of remote controls - and I'm showing my ignorance here - I didn't know you could even have remotes for electric fireplaces...

Well, it seems there is a danger of burns. Not from the fireplaces, but the remotes themselves...

Dimplex has issued a voluntary recall and replacement programme "for approximately 700,000 plug-in remote control receivers included with certain Dimplex, Electraflame, Symphony, Optiflame, Electralog and Charmglow branded electric fireplaces, stoves and fireplace inserts."

Continue reading "Recall corner: Remote control kits for electric fireplaces" »

December 14, 2009

Recall Corner: Packard Bell laptop battery

packard bell mx36.jpg
Following the Nokia and IBM chargers and adaptors, the power theme continues with our latest Recall Corner...

Packard Bell has announced a voluntary safety recall of the battery contained in certain of its Easynote laptops, due to potentially defective battery cells.

Continue reading "Recall Corner: Packard Bell laptop battery" »

November 26, 2009

Recall corner: IBM RDX Back Up Disk power adaptors

RDX Back Up Disk Hard Drives adaptors.jpgOur occasional series is getting more regular. IBM is the latest company standing in Recall Corner, and there's a power theme emerging....

The recall involves Big Blue and its RDX Back Up Disk Hard Drives. The associated power adapters, to be precise. Once again, there is a danger of an electric shock hazard.

Continue reading "Recall corner: IBM RDX Back Up Disk power adaptors" »

November 17, 2009

Recall corner: Nokia chargers

Nokia charger 2.jpgThe latest company to take up residence in the Recall Corner is the mobile phone giant Nokia, due to a possible electric shock hazard...

Following on from Belkin and its problems with a power surge protector a fortnight ago, Nokia has launched an exchange programme involving power chargers. Up to 14 million charges could be affected, reportedly, according to Reuters (via Engadget).

States Nokia:

Continue reading "Recall corner: Nokia chargers" »

November 3, 2009

Recall Corner: Sony AC adapter, Belkin power surge protector

Sony VAIO ac adapter recall.jpg
In the third in our occasional series, Sony and Belkin are the companies standing in Recall Corner.

Sony is recalling 69,000 Sony VAIO Computer AC Adapters, over concerns of possible electric shocks. They relate to adapters supplied with its all-in-one VAIO desktops and VAIO docking stations, reports Engadget.

The model numbers affected are the VGC-LT series and VGC-JS2 series (for the all-in-one VAIO) and the VGP-PRBX1 and VGP-PRFE1 (for the VAIO docking stations). Consumers should visit the firm's Web site at esupport.sony.com/ac19adapter for more info.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued an announcement. It includes the information:

Continue reading "Recall Corner: Sony AC adapter, Belkin power surge protector" »

October 13, 2009

Recall Corner: Acer Aspire notebook

Acer AS_3810T.jpgIn the latest in our occasional series, Acer is the company standing in Recall Corner.

The company has issued a safety recall for some of its Aspire notebooks affected by an overheating problem, stemming from people applying "extreme pressure" to the computers with their left palm. 

Continue reading "Recall Corner: Acer Aspire notebook" »

August 24, 2009

Recall Corner: Lenovo, Nikon, Wal-Mart & Asda

Walmart durabrand recall.jpgIn the first of a new series, there are three companies standing in the Recall Corner: Lenovo, Nikon and Wal-Mart.

Lenovo has issued a battery recall for some ThinkPad models, from the T60, T61, R60, R61, X60 and X61 ranges. Note that this is not a safety recall and the affected models do not pose a safety hazard. The problem is with battery operation, with "irreparable damage or battery cannot be charged error messages from Power Manager or Message Center," reports Lenovo. Handily, there is a diagnostic app for download from the company's website to help identify whether your own power pack is affected.

Continue reading "Recall Corner: Lenovo, Nikon, Wal-Mart & Asda" »

About Recall Corner

This page contains an archive of all entries posted to Made By Monkeys in the Recall Corner category. They are listed from oldest to newest.

Quirky Observations is the previous category.

RoHS is the next category.

Many more can be found on the main index page or by looking through the archives.

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