Automatic Bread & Dough Makers

CPSC Recall #95-106 — April 19, 1995

Recall Summary

Recall Number95-106
Recall DateApril 19, 1995
Remedy TypeRepair
Units Affected425,000
ManufacturerWest Bend Company of West Bend, Wis.

Where It Was Sold

The units were sold nationwide and in Canada at leading retailers such as Wal-Mart
Target
and Sam's Club. The twelve models involved in this program had suggested retail prices of up to $300.00.

Product

Automatic Bread & Dough Makers

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - CPSC, the West Bend Company of West Bend, Wis., is announcing a repair program for 425,000 Automatic Bread & Dough Makers. The breadmakers can overheat, presenting a fire hazard. West Bend is aware of three recent incidents in which a faulty circuit board of the control panel overheated and caught fire. Neither CPSC nor West Bend is aware of any injuries. However, consumers should stop using the recalled breadmakers and call West Bend at (800) 874-4084 between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. central time. West Bend will provide free pickup and repair of the breadmakers. And, each repaired unit will have its warranty extended for an additional 12 months. This recall program involves all models of West Bend Automatic Bread & Dough Makers manufactured between June 1, 1994 and April 9, 1995. Consumers can verify if they own one of these West Bend Bread & Dough Makers by checking the five- or six-digit manufacture date stamp, which includes the month, date and year of production, attached to the back of the unit. The box-shaped breadmakers mix, knead and bake breads. The breadmakers are made of either white metal with a white plastic lid or black metal with a black plastic lid. The part of the lid with the control panel is labeled in part "Automatic Bread & Dough Maker... West Bend...." The units were sold nationwide and in Canada at leading retailers such as Wal-Mart, Target, and Sam's Club. The twelve models involved in this program had suggested retail prices of up to $300.00. The action taken by West Bend to notify CPSC of the bread makers' potential fire hazard was acknowledged by Ann Brown, CPSC Chairman. "The corporate responsibility demonstrated by West Bend in initiating this repair program and seeking CPSC's cooperation is a good example of industry working voluntarily with government to provide safer products."

Hazard

The breadmakers can overheat, presenting a fire hazard.

Incidents & Injuries

West Bend is aware of three recent incidents in which a faulty circuit board of the control panel overheated and caught fire. Neither CPSC nor West Bend is aware of any injuries.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the recalled breadmakers and call West Bend at (800) 874-4084 between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. central time. West Bend will provide free pickup and repair of the breadmakers.

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.