Coby-Brand USB/MP3/CD Boomboxes
CPSC Recall #07-165 — April 23, 2007
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 07-165 |
| Recall Date | April 23, 2007 |
| Remedy Type | Dispose |
| Units Affected | About 13,800 |
| Importer | Coby Electronics Corp., of Maspeth, N.Y. |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Discount |
| toy and office supply stores nationwide from August 2006 through December 2006 for between $20 and $50. |
Product
Coby-Brand USB/MP3/CD Boomboxes
Description
Coby Electronics Recalls Boomboxes Due to Fire Hazard WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Coby Electronics Corp., of Maspeth, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 13,800 Coby-Brand USB/MP3/CD Boomboxes. When left plugged into an electrical outlet and the off switch is not firmly in place, these boomboxes can overheat, posing a fire hazard.Name of product: Coby-Brand USB/MP3/CD BoomboxesUnits: About 13,800Importer: Coby Electronics Corp., of Maspeth, N.Y.Hazard: When left plugged into an electrical outlet and the off switch is not firmly in place, these boomboxes can overheat, posing a fire hazard.Incidents/Injuries: Coby Electronics Corp. has received 18 reports of these boomboxes overheating resulting in three reports of minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.Description: The recalled Coby boombox is a portable CD/MP3 player with an AM/FM radio. The USB feature allows it to be connected to a computer. The boombox is primarily white with silver-colored speakers. The word "COBY" is written on the front and "DIGITAL" is written on the top. The model number, "MP-CD475" also is written on the top. The recalled units have serial numbers, located on the rear of the unit beneath the AC power cord plug-in outlet, in the following range limits:0736000001 through 07360050000816000001 through 08160053000826000001 through 0826003500Sold at: Discount, toy and office supply stores nationwide from August 2006 through December 2006 for between $20 and $50.Manufactured in: ChinaRemedy: Consumers should unplug these boomboxes immediately, and contact the firm for information on returning the recalled units and receiving a refund.Consumer Contact: For additional information, call Coby Electronics Corp. at (800) 524-9219 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.cobyusa.com.
Hazard
When left plugged into an electrical outlet and the off switch is not firmly in place, these boomboxes can overheat, posing a fire hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
Coby Electronics Corp. has received 18 reports of these boomboxes overheating resulting in three reports of minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should unplug these boomboxes immediately, and contact the firm for information on returning the recalled units and receiving a refund.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Dispose at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Dispose) at no cost to you.
If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident — they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.