Hedstrom Probe VI battery-powered riding toys
CPSC Recall #87-078 - December 1, 1987
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 87-078 |
| Recall Date | December 1, 1987 |
| Remedy Type | Dispose |
| Units Affected | Approximately 30,000 |
Product
Hedstrom Probe VI battery-powered riding toys
Description
WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Hedstrom Corporation, Bedford, Pennsylvania, voluntarily repaired the wiring harness in approximately 30,000 Hedstrom Probe VI battery-powered riding toys manufactured prior to June 1985 without fuses. The Commission and Hedstrom are aware of eight reported incidents in which these vehicles have caught fire. One of these incidents resulted in a serious fire in a mobile home. Fire can occur either while the toy is being stored or while it is being ridden by a child. The Probe VI is a 6-wheeled, 2-speed toy all terrain vehicle with two motors powered by two 6-volt gel-type lead acid batteries. A separate charger is supplied with each vehicle. The manufacturer recommends this toy for children from 3 to 7 years of age. Probe VI toys without fuses were manufactured from 1983 to June 1985 and distributed nationally. The affected units can be identified by the model identification label located on the front underside of the plastic body (see attached diagram). Hedstrom began using wiring harnesses with fuses at the batteries in June 1985. Units with fuses are not affected. Models affected are: 67-3890, 67-3891, 67-3892, 67-38921, 67-3893 and 67-38931 with dates of manufacture prior to June 1985, as shown on the model identification label. Consumers should stop using the vehicles immediately and discard or destroy the product. The firm is out of business and the repair program is no longer available.
Hazard
Approximately 30,000 Hedstrom Probe VI battery-powered riding toys were manufactured prior to June 1985 without fuses. The Commission and Hedstrom are aware of eight reported incidents in which these vehicles have caught fire. Fire can occur either while the toy is being stored or while it is being ridden by a child.
Incidents & Injuries
The Commission and Hedstrom are aware of eight reported incidents in which these vehicles have caught fire. One of these incidents resulted in a serious fire in a mobile home.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the vehicles immediately and discard or destroy the product. The firm is out of business and the repair program 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.