Atmel Microcontrollers used in Honeywell Digital Cellular Communicators
CPSC Recall #07-529 — February 11, 2007
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 07-529 |
| Recall Date | February 11, 2007 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 4,000 |
| Manufacturer | Manufacturer of Microcontrollers: Atmel Corp., of San Jose, Calif.Manufacturer of Digital Cellular Communicators: The security business of Honeywell International, located in Syosset, N.Y. |
| Manufactured In | The microprocessor was assembled in Taiwan. The communicator was manufactured in Mexico. |
Where It Was Sold
| Distributors nationwide sold the recalled communicators to commercial installers from July 2006 through October 2006 for about $250. |
Product
Atmel Microcontrollers used in Honeywell Digital Cellular Communicators
Description
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Atmel Corp., of San Jose, Calif. and the security business of Honeywell International, located in Syosset, N.Y., are voluntarily recalling about 4,000 Atmel Microcontrollers used in Honeywell Digital Cellular Communicators. The microcontroller in the communicator can enter an unrecoverable lock-up state due to a programming issue. The lock-up could result in a service interruption, and fail to transmit an alarm signal in the event of a fire or property invasion.Name of Product: Atmel Microcontrollers used in Honeywell Digital Cellular CommunicatorsManufacturer of Microcontrollers: Atmel Corp., of San Jose, Calif.Manufacturer of Digital Cellular Communicators: The security business of Honeywell International, located in Syosset, N.Y.Units: About 4,000Hazard: The microcontroller in the communicator can enter an unrecoverable lock-up state due to a programming issue. The lock-up could result in a service interruption, and fail to transmit an alarm signal in the event of a fire or property invasion.Incidents/Injuries: Honeywell has received 39 reports of problems with the microcontroller where it reportedly entered an unrecoverable lock-up state. There have been no reports of failure to report an emergency and no reports of injury or property damage.Description and Models: The digital cellular communicator can be used as a primary means of security communications for a residence or business. The recall involves the Atmel microcontroller AT91SAM7S256 installed in Honeywell digital cellular communicator, Model 7845GSM.Sold at: Distributors nationwide sold the recalled communicators to commercial installers from July 2006 through October 2006 for about $250.Manufactured in: The microprocessor was assembled in Taiwan. The communicator was manufactured in Mexico.Remedy: Customers who have not been contacted directly should immediately contact the firm for information on how to receive a free replacement communicator with updated software. Installers that purchased the communicators have been contacted directly.Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Honeywell at (800) 573-0154, between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or go to the firm's Web site at http://www.security.honeywell.com.
Hazard
The microcontroller in the communicator can enter an unrecoverable lock-up state due to a programming issue. The lock-up could result in a service interruption, and fail to transmit an alarm signal in the event of a fire or property invasion.
Incidents & Injuries
Honeywell has received 39 reports of problems with the microcontroller where it reportedly entered an unrecoverable lock-up state. There have been no reports of failure to report an emergency and no reports of injury or property damage.
Remedy Instructions
Customers who have not been contacted directly should immediately contact the firm for information on how to receive a free replacement communicator with updated software. Installers that purchased the communicators have been contacted directly.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace 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 (Replace) 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.