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Archive for the ‘Product Recalls’ Category

Automotive Recalls Surge This Fall

October 15th, 2009 by Krayton M Davis | 1 Comment | Filed in News, Product Recalls

Perhaps it is the season or maybe it is just a coincidence, but both Toyota and Ford have issued their largest recalls ever over the past few weeks.

Ford, Toyota Recalls

NHTSAOn September 29th, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) notified select Toyota and Lexus owners that 3.8 million cars were being recalled due to the driver’s floor mat which could get wedged underneath the accelerator, causing their cars to speed up. That recall follows a fiery crash in California late this past summer when four occupants of a rental Lexus were killed when their car surged out of control and flew off of an embankment.

On October 13th, the NHTSA notified Ford and Mercury owners that 4.5 million cars, trucks and motorhomes were being recalled faulty cruise control deactivation switch manufactured by Texas Instruments. According to the NHTSA, “The switch can leak hydraulic fluid, overheat and then burn, potentially causing vehicle fires even with the ignition turned off and the vehicles parked and unattended.” Notably, this is the eight recall made by Ford for this problem affecting some 16 million vehicles.

Toyota and Lexus vehicles affected by this consumer alert are:

  • 2007-2010 Camry
  • 2005-2010 Avalon
  • 2004-2009 Prius
  • 2005-2010 Tacoma
  • 2007-2010 Tundra
  • 2007-2010 ES 350
  • 2006-2010 IS 250 and IS350

In September 2007, Toyota recalled an accessory all-weather floor mat sold for use in some 2007 and 2008 model year Lexus ES 350 and Toyota Camry vehicles because of similar problems.

The Ford recall involves the following vehicles:

  • 1995-2003 model year Ford Windstars
  • 2000-2003 model year Ford Excursion diesels
  • 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 Ford F-Super Duty diesels
  • 1992-2003 Ford Econolines
  • 1995-2002 Ford Explorers and Mercury Mountaineers
  • 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 Ford Rangers
  • And 1994 Ford F53 motorhomes

The NHTSA has warned drivers to be aware of certain signs of possible impendent fires, including cruise control systems that stop working or cannot be activated, brake lights that cease working, brake lights and ABS warning lights illuminating on the dash board, or not being able to shift the vehicle out of park.

What You Should Do

These two huge recalls are unrelated and are simply noteworthy for their size and the number of vehicles covered. Visit the NHTSA site to see if your car has a recall pending and, if so, call your dealer to learn what action you should take to remedy the problem. Costs for repairs under NHTSA recalls are covered by the manufacturer.

Don’t wait – some problems must be addressed immediately in order to ensure your safety.


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Is Your Home Plagued By Chinese Dry Wall?

February 13th, 2009 by Krayton M Davis | 1 Comment | Filed in News, Product Recalls

The news seems to be getting crazier as each day passes by. If it isn’t the poorly named stimulus package that is getting all of the attention, I don’t know what else is. Still, there are a number of different issues making it to the news including the peanut butter new homepaste salmonella crisis as well as another problem befalling certain homeowners: imported Chinese dry wall with the potential to make you sick.

Toxic Dry Wall From China

Yes, for some homeowners across the southern United States whose homes were built between 2005-2008, the dry wall used in their homes may cause health problems, particularly if it was imported from China.

According to Americas Watchdog, a consumer protection and corporate responsibility organization, “the potentially toxic Chinese dry wall was used all over the entire state of Florida, in Georgia, in the Carolinas and in all Gulf Coast states. We are particularly worried about New Orleans, because we lost so many houses there during and after Katrina. At the time I lived in New Orleans and I know how hard it was to get sheet rock, so we are 100% certain it’s in New Orleans on a large scale.”

Signs That Your Home Has Problems

Exactly what would be  some signs that a house might have the potentially toxic imported Chinese dry wall?

  • First the house was built or remodeled between 2005 and 2008
  • The house has a strong or noticeable smell of sulphur or rotten eggs.
  • The home has experienced repeated air conditioning coil issues or corrosion
  • The home’s occupants have experienced upper respiratory issues, nose bleeds, or other medical issues.
  • Young children or senior citizens may be the first to show signs of exposure to a home with the imported Chinese dry wall.

Take Action Now

According to the Homeowners Consumer Center, “we think we are going to end up with 25,000 to 50,000 US homes with the imported toxic Chinese dry wall. We believe long term exposure to this product could create serious health problems. If you even think you smell sulphur or rotten eggs in a house built, or remodeled between 2005 and 2008, in Florida, New Orleans, the West Coast, the East Coast, anywhere, please call us immediately at 866-714-6466 or contact us via our web site.

One final note: there are some who believe the problem of toxic Chinese dry wall may turn up in homes far from the southeastern US.  If your new home experiences similar problems, then call the toll free number today to share your concerns.

Source: America’s Watchdog

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USCPSC Issues Safety Recall For Rheem Furnace

January 26th, 2009 by Krayton M Davis | 4 Comments | Filed in News, Product Recalls
Rheem Manufacturing has issued a recall of an oil-fired furnace which is sold under three different names.

Rheem Manufacturing has issued a recall of an oil-fired furnace which is sold under three different names.

It is a fact of life that things can go wrong with a consumer product, so much so that a recall of that item might be necessary. Thanks to the work of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC), we’re alerted to these recalls, some of which involve home items, a topic we cover regularly here on SayEducate.com.

One of the latest recalls issued by the USCPSC involves repairs needed to select Rheem oil-fired furnaces. Approximately fourteen thousand units are involved in this recall and the following information will help you determine if your unit is included and what you can do to get it repaired.

Manufacturer: Air Conditioning Division of Rheem Manufacturing Co., of Fort Smith, Ark.

Hazard: If the furnace is not properly wired, the oil burner can continue to operate when the blower shuts off, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Rheem has received one report in which the furnace was incorrectly wired. No injuries or property damage have been reported.

Description: This recall involves oil-fired furnaces sold under the Rheem, Ruud and United Refrigeration brands. Only the models beginning with the model numbers listed in the chart below and with date codes ending in 0106 through 5206, 0107 through 5207, or 0108 through 4808 are included in this recall. The model number and date code (designated by the four digits following an “M” in the middle of the serial number) are printed on the unit’s rating plate, which is on the left wall of the furnace’s interior just above the burner. The rating plate can be found by opening the unit’s burner access door, which has slotted openings.

  Model #  Brand & Description

  ROBF     Rheem Classic/Ruud Achiever High Efficiency Upflow Oil Furnace
  ROPF     Rheem Classic/Ruud Achiever High Efficiency Downflow/Horizontal
           Oil Furnace
  TZOUP    United Refrigeration "Thermal Zone" Upflow Oil Furnace
  TZODH    United Refrigeration "Thermal Zone" Downflow/Horizontal Oil
           Furnace
Location of Unit Rating Plate.

Location of Unit Rating Plate.

Sold by: Contractors nationwide to consumers from January 2006 through December 2008 as part of installed systems for between $1,500 and $10,000.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately contact the contractor who installed the oil furnace to arrange for a free inspection and repair, if necessary.

Rating Plate with Model and Date Code

Rating Plate with Model and Date Code

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Rheem at (800) 577-3960 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.rheemac.com.

From time to time SayEducate.com will share related recall information with our readers. A new category, Product Recalls, has been established to help you find which home related products we’ve included.

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission


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