Tilt latches on Andersen 200 Series Tilt-Wash Double-Hung Windows
CPSC Recall #01-231 — September 12, 2001
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 01-231 |
| Recall Date | September 12, 2001 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | About 400,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| The majority of windows were installed by home builders in the construction of new homes. Independent dealers and home centers nationwide also sold these windows to contractors between May 2000 through August 2001. |
Product
Tilt latches on Andersen 200 Series Tilt-Wash Double-Hung Windows
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Andersen Corporation, of Bayport, Minn., is voluntarily recalling for in-home repair tilt latches on about 400,000 windows. The latches on the lower sash of the window can unexpectedly open, posing a potential injury hazard to consumers who can be struck by the window or by shattered glass.Andersen has received 11 reports of the latches unexpectedly opening. There have been no reports of injuries.This recall involves only the tilt latches on the lower sash of the Andersen 200 Series Tilt-Wash Double-Hung Window. This window has the Andersen "A/W" logo etched into the lower right corner of the glass (A), has a latch on both sides of the top of the lower sash (B), and has a product label on the inside of the upper left corner of the window frame (C).The majority of windows were installed by home builders in the construction of new homes. Independent dealers and home centers nationwide also sold these windows to contractors between May 2000 through August 2001.Consumers should immediately ensure that the latches are in the closed position. Consumers should call the Andersen WindowCare® Solution Center toll-free at (888) 888-7020 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday to Friday or 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT on Saturday, to schedule a free in-home repair with an Andersen service technician. Consumers also can log-on to the Andersen website at www.andersenwindows.com. Parents should ensure that children do not operate the window until the latches have been replaced.This recall does not apply to Andersen® Builder's Select™ or any other Andersen® products.
Hazard
The latches on the lower sash of the window can unexpectedly open, posing a potential injury hazard to consumers who can be struck by the window or by shattered glass.
Incidents & Injuries
Andersen has received 11 reports of the latches unexpectedly opening. There have been no reports of injuries.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately ensure that the latches are in the closed position. Consumers should call the Andersen WindowCare® Solution Center toll-free at (888) 888-7020 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday to Friday or 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT on Saturday, to schedule a free in-home repair with an Andersen service technician.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair 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 (Repair) at no cost to you.
Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.
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.