Hedstrom "Probe VI" battery-powered toy all-terrain vehicle

CPSC Recall #88-046 — July 6, 1988

Recall Summary

Recall Number88-046
Recall DateJuly 6, 1988
Remedy TypeDispose
Units AffectedApproximately 30,000

Product

Hedstrom "Probe VI" battery-powered toy all-terrain vehicle

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Hedstrom Corporation of Bedford, Pa., again warned consumers to obtain a free repair kit for the company's "Probe VI" battery-powered toy all-terrain vehicle following reports to government safety experts that three more riding toys have caught fire or smoked. Hedstrom first announced availability of the repair kit last December, but consumer response has been slow. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there have been 11 reported incidents of the six-wheeled toy ATVs catching fire. Serious personal injury or property damage could result if the riding toys are not modified with the repair kit to reduce the risk of fire. Hedstrom said affected riding toys may be identified by checking the model label on the front underside of the plastic body. Models subject to the repair program, all of which do not contain fuses, are 67-3890, 67-3891, 67-3892, 67-3893 and 67- 38931. The label shows a manufacturing date prior to June, 1985, after which the company added fuses to the wiring harness. All riding toys equipped with fuses are not subject to the repair program. Consumers having any of the affected Hedstrom Probe VI riding toys should immediately stop using the toy and discard or destroy the toy. The firm is out of business and a remedy is no longer available.   The ones manufactured prior to June 1985 can catch fire because they do not have fuses. Models affected are: 67-3890 67-3891 67-3892 67-38921 67-3893 67-38931 with dates of manufacture prior to June 1985, as shown on the model identification label.

Hazard

The riding toys manufactured prior to June 1985 can catch fire because they do not have fuses.

Incidents & Injuries

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there have been 11 reported incidents of the six-wheeled toy ATVs catching fire.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers having any of the affected Hedstrom Probe VI riding toys should immediately stop using the toy and discard or destroy the toy. The firm is out of business and a remedy is no longer available.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Dispose 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 (Dispose) 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.