AWIA mini home audio systems
CPSC Recall #98-158 — August 26, 1998
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 98-158 |
| Recall Date | August 26, 1998 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | Approximately 108,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Electronics |
| department and discount stores nationwide sold the systems from March 1998 through July 1998 for about $200 to $250. |
Product
AWIA mini home audio systems
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), AIWA America Inc., of Mahwah, N.J., is voluntarily recalling about 200,000 mini home audio systems for repair. Approximately 108,000 units remain with consumers. The units could contain a faulty transistor that can cause the unit to smoke, presenting a fire hazard to consumers. CPSC and AIWA America have received 100 reports of units smoking or emitting a burning odor and 3 reports of units catching on fire. No injuries were reported. The AIWA mini home audio systems subject to this recall have model number CX-NA303U on the back of the unit. The systems are silver and include a combination radio, tape and CD player, and speakers with black cloth grills. The CX-NA303U unit measures about 10 inches wide, 12 inches high and 13 inches long. Electronics, department and discount stores nationwide sold the systems from March 1998 through July 1998 for about $200 to $250. Consumers should stop using the systems immediately and call AIWA America toll-free at (888) 619-9353 between 6 a.m. and midnight EDT seven days a week for instructions on returning the systems for free repair. Alternatively, consumers can write to: AIWA America Inc., 800 Corporate Dr., Mahwah NJ 07430. AIWA America will make all necessary repairs, and return the systems to consumers with a complimentary headphone stereo. Units not involved in this recall can be identified by a red and white "A" on the back of the unit. No other AIWA audio or video products are involved in this recall. Model Location on Back of Unit.
Hazard
The units could contain a faulty transistor that can cause the unit to smoke, presenting a fire hazard to consumers.
Incidents & Injuries
CPSC and AIWA America have received 100 reports of units smoking or emitting a burning odor and 3 reports of units catching on fire. No injuries were reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the systems immediately and call AIWA America toll-free at (888) 619-9353 between 6 a.m. and midnight EDT seven days a week for instructions on returning the systems for free repair. AIWA America will make all necessary repairs, and return the systems to consumers with a complimentary headphone stereo.
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.
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.