Speed Queen Contempo Mate Stack combination washer-dryer
CPSC Recall #89-035 — May 8, 1989
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 89-035 |
| Recall Date | May 8, 1989 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
Product
Speed Queen Contempo Mate Stack combination washer-dryer
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Rent-A-Center, Inc. of Wichita, Kansas, is voluntarily offering a retrofit program originally offered by Speed Queen for customers who either own or rent a Speed Queen Contempo Mate Stack combination washer-dryer with caster-rollers. The program is intended to eliminate the possibility that consumers could receive a hand or foot injury from the appliance when in operation. The casters elevate the appliance high enough off the floor to allow children to contact some of the washer's moving parts. Rent-A-Center will supply all its customers with a permanent guard for the base of the Contempo Mate Washer/Dryer equipped with caster-rollers. Casters permit consumers to roll the appliance to the water and drain source for clothes washing, and then to return the unit to another area for convenient storage. For those Rent-A-Center customers needing special assistance, Rent-A-Center has the retrofit safety guards at its service centers and will provide free installation of the guard for its customers. Rent-A-Center customers owning or renting the Speed Queen Contempo Mate Stack Washer/Dryer with caster-rollers should call Rent-A-Center toll-free at 1-800-666-8186 to obtain the free guard kit, obtain help in installing the guard, or for other information about the retrofit program.
Hazard
The casters elevate the appliance high enough off the floor to allow children to contact some of the washer's moving parts.
Remedy Instructions
Rent-A-Center customers owning or renting the Speed Queen Contempo Mate Stack Washer/Dryer with caster-rollers should call Rent-A-Center toll-free at 1-800-666-8186 to obtain the free guard kit, obtain help in installing the guard, or for other information about the retrofit program.
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.