Hoover Self-Propelled Upright Vacuum Cleaners

CPSC Recall #05-156 — April 13, 2005

Recall Summary

Recall Number05-156
Recall DateApril 13, 2005
Remedy Type
Units AffectedAbout 636,000
Manufactured InUnited States

Where It Was Sold

Household appliance and floorcare retailers nationwide from May 1998 through July 2000 for between $259 and $279.

Product

Hoover Self-Propelled Upright Vacuum Cleaners

Description

Hoover Self-Propelled Upright Vacuum Cleaners are plastic, upright vacuums with the brand name "Hoover" and words "Self Propelled" printed on the front of the product. The model and serial numbers are printed on a label on the back of the vacuum.The following model numbers are included in the recall: U6423-900U6425-900U6425-950U6445-900U6445-960U6449-900U6450-900U6451-900U6455-900Only those Hoover Self-Propelled Upright Vacuum Cleaners manufactured between May 1998 and November 1999 are included in this recall. The recalled models include serial numbers 0598xxxxxxxx through 1199xxxxxxxx, with the first four digits of the serial number indicating the month and year of production (e.g., 0598xxxxxxxx is May 1998).

Hazard

The recalled vacuums have defective on-off switches that can overheat the handle and toolholder areas of the vacuum, resulting in a fire hazard.

Incidents & Injuries

Maytag has received 249 reports of vacuums overheating, which caused the handle area to smoke, melt or catch fire. One minor burn injury requiring no medical attention was reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the recalled product immediately and contact Maytag to obtain the name and address of the nearest Hoover repair center to schedule a free repair. Consumers should not return their vacuum cleaners to retailers.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a remedy 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 (refund, replacement, or repair) 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.