Complaint resolution service publishes case studies, recall information and consumer news.

Hewlett-Packard has recalled around 70,000 laptop batteries which can be used in both HP and Compaq makes.  The batteries can overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard to users. 

If your laptop model number is listed below, it may have shipped with an affected battery.  The batteries were also sold separately in retail stores.

The bar codes labels of the affected batteries are:

(^ can represent any letter or number)

The laptops were sold at computer and electronics stores nationwide, hp.com and hpshopping.com from August 2007  through March 2008 for between $500 and $3000.  The battery packs were sold for between $100 and $160 during this time as well, and were manufactured in China.

Consumers should immediately remove the recalled battery from their notebook computer and contact HP to request a free replacement.  The computers can still function without the battery, but you will be required to have the AC adapter plugged into a power source. Consumers should only use batteries obtained from HP or an authorized reseller.

For additional information, visit the HP Battery Replacement Program Web site at http://www.hp.com/support/BatteryReplacement or call (800) 889-2031 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

Posted under Recalls

Fluke Corp. of Everett, Washington has voulentarily recalled 52,000 digital clamp meters.  The meters, which range in price from $150 and $375, can fail to give an appropriate voltage reading; this can lead to the operator falsely believing the electrical power is off, posing a shock, electrocution, or thermal burn hazard.  They were sold at hardware stores, wholesalers, and industrial distributors between January 2008 and February 2009.

This recall involves the model and serial numbers listed below. The model number may be followed by an “A.”  Serial numbers that begin with “S” or are followed by “R” are not included in the recall.  The below diagram shows where to check your meter for this information.

If you own a Fluke Meter that falls within the above serial numbers, immediatly discontinue use and contact Fluke for a free replacement.   For additional information, contact Fluke toll-free at (888) 983-5853 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit www.fluke.com/33Xrecall

Posted under Recalls

Refrigerators with more than just a Maytag name are being recalled.  Jenn-Air, Magic Chef and Amana are some of the other famous brand names that have an urgent recall notice after being linked to more than 40 fires.

Consumers can not return the refrigerators.  Instead, the company has agreed to provide for in-home repairs of all affected models.  Expect a busy telephone number, but consumers should call Maytag soon to see if their refrigerator is part of the recall.  A list of impacted models is below.  Units made between 2001 and 2004 are affected, but that’s the manufacturing, not the sales, date.  Call to be sure.

And while many recalls may be classed as a nuisance or minor risk, this Maytag refrigerator recall is already responsible for 16 fires causing measurable damage, including what the government called “extensive kitchen damage”.

The number to call Maytag any time is:  (866) 533-9817

Maytag refrigerators with freezers on the bottom are not affected. Some that are can be found in this chart:

Maytag refrigerator recall model numbers

Posted under Recalls, Safety

A Casper the Friendly Ghost outdoor figurine has been recalled two days before Halloween.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission announced today that the 3 inch high figure has unacceptable levels of lead. The figures were priced from $1 to $3 and sold for almost three years in a variety of stores.

The manufacturer, Coyne and Company, has agreed to a full refund or credit for any figures that are returned. You can call the company anytime at (800) 336-8666.

Be safe this Halloween. Don’t forget our post about Safe Trick or Treating Tips if you are taking a little one trick-or-treating on Friday.

Posted under Recalls, Safety

Heavy darts with projectile tips tossed in the air and burying deep into all but the most hardened dirt or grass were a popular game a generation ago.  They were called lawn darts, and they were fun until as Mom said, someone loses an eye.

That happened far too often, as did other injuries, and lawn darts were banned twenty years ago because they’re essentially little arrows with weighted shafts.

Two companies were apparently selling these as a deluxe family entertainment package for about sixty bucks.  If you bought one, you need to send them back for a refund.   Thanks to the CPSC jumping on this issue fast, refunds should be relatively easy to arrange.   Simply call the distributor toll free at (877) 374-8881 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. MT Monday through Friday.

Many recalls are for a potential hazard.  This one is for a very real hazard.  Unless you’ve got an archery range set up at your home, leave the flying darts alone because these particular beauties have a shaft that is more than one foot long.

Posted under Products, Recalls

Four children have been trapped by a crib sold through Babies “R” Us and its affiliated stores. The cribs, manufactured in China and Vietnam and sold for more than six years, pose a “trapping hazard” according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).  More than 320,000 childrens’ cribs are affected, the governmnet agency said.

The cribs in question are multiple models manufactured under the brand name Jardine. The government agency said that it had collected 42 reports of the crib’s slats or spindles breaking, allowing a child to be trapped.

Affected model numbers, which can be found on the inside of the bottom rail, are listed below.

BC-23, BC-36B, BC-36G, BC-36P, BC-007, BC-010, BC-010C, BC-010HP, BC-010W, BC-017, BC-107C, BC-107CR,BC-110C, BC-110HP, BC-110W, DA617BC, DA620BC, DA770BC, DV730N, DV730W, DV830-N, DV830-W, 0113B00, 0113K00, 0303B00, 0303C00, 0303G00, 0309K00.

Consumers have been instructed to stop using the cribs and contact Jardine for a full credit. The company can be reached by phone at (800) 646-4106 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday. Jardine has also created a website to help handle recalled crib claims.

Posted under Recalls

Perhaps the most frustrating issue of any food recall is that consumers may not know if the food was used as an ingredient in another type of food.  This happened earlier this year with beef recalls and is a major issue now with a salmonella threat looming over certain tomatoes.

In a signal to food suppliers and buyers, the Food and Drug administration issued multiple statements indicating which tomato crops were deemed safe.    The agency falls woefully short, however, on consumer advice, suggesting that consumers ask restaurant servers or other food personnel about the tomato’s origin.

That is a nice thought, but more than a little naive.  Note to restaurant owners:  you can stop laughing now, but make sure your staff doesn’t give false information.  When they don’t know, the correct answer is “I don’t know” or “I’ll find out”.

Meanwhile, nearly 400 consumers have now been confirmed to have contracted salmonella from tainted tomatoes.  Of that group, more than 10% have required hospitalization.

The fast food chains performed admirably, pulling the fruit-not-a-vegetable from their shelves.  With guidance, the chains have now added the tomato back on their burgers and gone back to spooning up salsa.

Until a better rationale is found, however, I’m all for “hold the tomato” at home and when dining out.

Posted under Recalls, Safety

After the federal government received reports of hundreds of complaints and news of 14 motor vehicle accidents related to braking problems in 2005 and 2006 Ford F-150 and LIncoln Mark LT vehicles, the auto maker has quickly issued a recall.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defect Investigations ruled that Ford’s actions were sufficient to close the case and will not be taking further action.

The iconic Ford F-150 is one of Ford’s best-sellers and most profitable vehicles.  Ford had surprised Wall Street with unexpectedly higher earnings last quarter, but the fallout over a big recall potentially affecting safety may cut in to the compamy’s third quarter profits.

To correct the problem, dealers will replace a hose inside the braking assembly. Ford announced that the program would start right after the July 4 holiday and said concerned owners could call the company toll-free at (800) 392-3673.

Posted under Recalls

Those ubiquitous “Crocs” shoes (photo by antonde, left) and their many imitators are under fire again. Complaints to U.S. government regulators haven’t apparently gone far enough for the government to take action. The Japanese government, however, has asked the company to redesign the children’s shoes to protect their feet on escalator.

Crocs, Inc. (NADAQ:CROX) exploded with what intiially seemed to be a fad, and is now a business approaching $1 billion in annual revenues. Millions of pairs of shoes have been sold in Japan, and the government said this weekend that dozens of children suffered foot injuries, even losing toes, while wearing the plastic shoes.

Posted under Safety

Reports are coming in that Richwood Meat Company is recalling over a third of a million pounds of ground beef because of E.coli contamination fears. The meat was sold in large Western and Mid-Atlantic states, including California, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Included in the recall is 107,000 pounds of meat sold in the Western states by Richwood Meat under a variety of names. According to the USDA, consumers with questions should call (209) 722-8171, extension 14, if they have questions about the recall.

Posted under Recalls, Safety