- In this report
- Overview
Recalls and safety alerts
This article appeared in Automobiles
Lexus models recalled
'06-'08 Lexus GS, IS, and LS
Defective engine valve springs might cause rough engine operation, including stalling.
Models: 138,000 '06-'08 cars powered by 4.6- and 5.0-liter V8 and 3.5-liter V6 engines. Models include GS 350, GS 450h, GS 460, IS 350, LS 460, LS 460 L, and LS 600h L.
What to do: Owners will receive a recall notice in the mail. For more information, call the company at 800-255-3987.
'07 -'10 Jeep/Wrangler
Brake-fluid leak can cause a partial loss of the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
Models: 288,968 '07 -'10 Jeep Wranglers manufactured from May 15, 2006, through Aug. 9, 2010.
What to do: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair vehicles free. Call Chrysler at 800-853-1403 for more information.
'08 -'09 Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan
Vehicle might have an improperly routed wire harness, which might lead to a short circuit and possible fire.
Models: 284,831 '08 -'09 Town & Country and Grand Caravans manufactured from February 2007 through September 2007.
What to do: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair vehicles free. Call Chrysler at 800-853-1403 for more information.
Household Products
GE front-load washing machines
Wire can break in the machine and make contact with a metal part on the washtub while the machine is operating, posing fire and shock hazards.
Products: 181,000 washers sold at stores nationwide from December 2006 through May 2010 for $700. The recalled model number begins with WBVH5. GE knows of seven incidents in which flames escaped washers and caused minor smoke damage.
What to do: Stop using the washer, unplug it from the electrical outlet, and call GE at 888-345-4124 or go to www.geappliances.com to get free repair.
Hoover WindTunnel T-Series bagless upright vacuums
Power cord isn't properly routed or securely seated in the rewind assembly, allowing the cord to be pulled loose and posing fire and shock hazards.
Products: 108,000 bagless upright vacuums with a cord-rewind feature sold at stores nationwide and online from August 2009 through May 2010 for $100 to $160. Hoover has had three reports of minor burns to carpet and furniture and one to a user's hand.
What to do: Stop using the vacuum and call Hoover at 888-891-2054 or go to www.hoover.com/tseriesrewindrecall for more details and to get free repair.
Ikea roller, Roman, and roll-up blinds
Cords from the blinds pose a danger of strangulation to children. The Roman blinds were linked to a case in which a 1-year-old girl was strangled and to two cases in which children were nearly strangled. This recall expands a previous one.
Products: The recall involves 3,360,000 Roman blinds and roll-up blinds, as well as roller blinds that do not have a tension device attached to the bead chain. The blinds were sold at Ikea stores from January 1998 through June 2009 for $5 to $55.
What to do: Stop using the blinds and return them to an Ikea store for a full refund. For more information, call the company at 888-966-4532.
Food
Kellogg's breakfast cereals
Package liners of some of the cereals are creating an uncharacteristic off-flavor and smell.
Products: Apple Jacks, Corn Pops, Froot Loops, and Honey Smacks with the letters KN following Better If Used Before dates that are between March 26, 2011, and June 22, 2011. The cereals, distributed nationwide, were sold in packages ranging from 8.7 to 17.2 ounces.
What to do: Customers who wish to receive a replacement can call the company at 888-801-4163.
Electronics
Sony Vaio laptops
The computers can overheat, causing damage to the device and posing a possible burn hazard to the user.
Models: 233,000 Sony Vaio laptops in the VPCF11 and VPCCW2 series, sold at Best Buy, Costco, Fry's, Amazon.com, and Sony Style stores nationwide, as well as other retailers. The recalled machines cost $800 to $1,500 and were shipped between January 2010 and April 2010.
What to do: Consumers should go to esupport.sony.com/US/f1cw2update for instructions on how to update the computer's BIOS firmware. They can also call Sony at 866-496-7669 for more help and information.
Pet products
Power adapters for PetSafe heated sleepers
The power adapters that were sold with the heated pet beds can cause an electrical arc when removed from the bed, posing a fire hazard.
Models: 20,000 Class 2 transformers that were sold with the PetSafe beds at pet specialty stores and from online and catalog retailers from September 2006 through April 2010 for $70 to $110.
What to do: Stop using the power adapter and contact the company at 800-732-2677 to receive a replacement.
