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Big Wheel Battery-Operated Riding Toy

CPSC Recall #89-061 - June 26, 1989

Recall Summary

Recall Number89-061
Recall DateJune 26, 1989
Remedy TypeReplace, Repair
Units AffectedApproximately 39,000

Product

Big Wheel Battery-Operated Riding Toy

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Empire of Carolina, Inc., Tarboro, North Carolina is offering to replace the "ON" switch for approximately 39,000 battery-operated, Big Wheel ride-on toys sold nationwide from 1986 through 1988. The "ON" switch can overheat and may burn a child's hand or may become stuck causing loss of control of the riding toy. Empire and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission are aware of five instances in which the switch overheated or burned out, and one incident in which the switch stuck in the "ON" position and the operator was unable to stop the riding toy. Two of the incidents involved minor burns from contact with the overheated switch. Battery-operated, Big Wheel toys by Empire are three-wheel, ride-on toys which come in several models: Kawasaki KLT 250 Prairie Big Wheel (item numbers 1215, 1220, and 1223) and Sweet-Tee-Nuff Big Wheel (item number 1221). All models are decorated with decals which read either "Kawasaki" or "Sweet-Tee-Nuff." The models are also marked by decals which read "Electric Rechargeable." NOTE: Kawasaki permits the use of its name, but is not the manufacturer of the product. The "ON" switch of the riding toy is located on the handlebar and is pushed down to drive the toy. The toy should stop when the push button is released. The riding toy can travel up to five mph. Consumers should immediately discontinue using the battery-operated Big Wheel riding toy until the switch is replaced. Empire of Carolina will send a new switch and handlebar free of charge to all owners. This repair is necessary even for a previously replaced switch. Owners should call Empire of Carolina toll-free at 1-800-334-5666. In North Carolina, owners should call collect: 919-823-4111. Owners should have the model name and number of their toy ready when calling. Owners may also write for their new switch to: EMPIRE CAMPAIGN, c/o Empire of Carolina, Inc., P.O. Box 427, Daniel Street Extension, Tarboro, North Carolina 27886.

Hazard

The "ON" switch can overheat and may burn a child's hand or may become stuck causing loss of control of the riding toy.

Incidents & Injuries

Empire and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission are aware of five instances in which the switch overheated or burned out, and one incident in which the switch stuck in the "ON" position and the operator was unable to stop the riding toy. Two of the incidents involved minor burns from contact with the overheated switch.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should immediately discontinue using the battery-operated Big Wheel riding toy until the switch is replaced. Empire of Carolina will send a new switch and handlebar free of charge to all owners. Owners should call Empire of Carolina toll-free at 1-800-334-5666. In North Carolina, owners should call collect: 919-823-4111. Owners may also write for their new switch to: EMPIRE CAMPAIGN, c/o Empire of Carolina, Inc., P.O. Box 427, Daniel Street Extension, Tarboro, North Carolina 27886.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace, Repair at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

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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 (Replace, 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.

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