Tek Nek children's riding vehicles

CPSC Recall #00-177 — August 30, 2000

Recall Summary

Recall Number00-177
Recall DateAugust 30, 2000
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 294,000
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

Toy stores and discount department stores sold the vehicles nationwide from July 1998 through April 2000 for about $89.

Product

Tek Nek children's riding vehicles

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Tek Nek Toys, of Mokena, Ill., is recalling about 294,000 battery-powered children's riding vehicles to replace the battery chargers. The vehicles' battery charger or wires can overheat, presenting fire and injury hazards to children.CPSC and Tek Nek have received 17 reports of battery chargers and wires overheating, while vehicles were being charged. Two consumers burned their hands while unplugging or charging the vehicles.The Tek Nek vehicles being recalled are powered by one 6-volt battery and were manufactured before April 2000. The vehicles are made of plastic and were sold under the following model names: Prowler, Dodge Ram, Corvette, SPX Motorcycle and Honda. The model name appears on each vehicle. Some models have working lights and horn, engine and music sounds. A label on the vehicle reads "MADE IN CHINA." Tek Nek vehicles are intended for children 1-1/2 to 4 years old, and the vehicles' speed ranges from 1 to 2 mph, depending on the model.Toy stores and discount department stores sold the vehicles nationwide from July 1998 through April 2000 for about $89.Consumers should stop using the vehicles immediately and contact Tek Nek at (888) 900-0155 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday to receive a free, new charger. Consumers should not charge the vehicles or let children use the vehicles until they have received the new charger.

Hazard

The vehicles' battery charger or wires can overheat, presenting fire and injury hazards to children.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC and Tek Nek have received 17 reports of battery chargers and wires overheating, while vehicles were being charged. Two consumers burned their hands while unplugging or charging the vehicles.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the vehicles immediately and contact Tek Nek at (888) 900-0155 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday to receive a free, new charger. Consumers should not charge the vehicles or let children use the vehicles until they have received the new charger.

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.