Sunbeam Leisure outdoor propane gas grills

CPSC Recall #88-034 — June 1, 1988

Recall Summary

Recall Number88-034
Recall DateJune 1, 1988
Remedy TypeNew Instructions, Repair
Units AffectedApproximately 320,000

Product

Sunbeam Leisure outdoor propane gas grills

Description

WASHINGTON -- Following reports of spontaneous breakage of glass windows of 1988 Sunbeam Leisure outdoor propane gas grills, the Sunbeam Leisure Products Company of Neosho, Missouri is initiating a modification program to remount the glass windows to prevent breakage. In a voluntary modification program undertaken in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Sunbeam Leisure said that, because of the way the window was mounted, the glass may spontaneously break from the heat of the grill. Incidents of consumers reporting minor injuries from broken glass are being investigated. A limited number of the suspect grills were sold in the latter part of last year, but most have been sold in 1968. An estimated 320,000 grills are currently in consumer use including Yardmaster models sold by Channel Home Centers and Sears Kenmore models 10663, 10684, 10783 and 10883. Consumers who bought 1988 models of Sunbeam Leisure, Yardmaster and the above Kenmore propane gas grills with a glass window will be supplied with a free modification kit and instructions on remounting the window. The installation can be easily performed by the consumer without special tools. Owners of any of the above brand name 1988 model grills with glass windows should check their model number and have it ready when calling Sunbeam Leisure toll-free at 1-800-458-8407 for a free modification kit; Missouri residents should call 1-800-641-2100. Telephones will be staffed Monday through Friday between 7 am and 5 pm, CDT.

Hazard

Because of the way the window was mounted, the glass may spontaneously break from the heat of the grill.

Incidents & Injuries

Incidents of consumers reporting minor injuries from broken glass are being investigated.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers who bought 1988 models of Sunbeam Leisure, Yardmaster and the above Kenmore propane gas grills with a glass window will be supplied with a free modification kit and instructions on remounting the window. The installation can be easily performed by the consumer without special tools.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a New Instructions, 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 (New Instructions, 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.