CPSC, Northern Tool & Equipment Announce Recall of Air Compressors
CPSC Recall #02-249 — September 11, 2002
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 02-249 |
| Recall Date | September 11, 2002 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | About 3,400 |
Where It Was Sold
| Northern Tool sold the recalled Model 191000 and 192000 air compressors through direct mail and Northern Tool specialty stores nationwide from January 2002 to May 2002 for between $110 and $120. |
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Northern Tool & Equipment, of Burnsville, Minn., is voluntarily recalling about 3,400 electric air compressors. The capacitors on these compressors can overheat, catch fire and ignite the plastic cover above the capacitor.Northern Tool has received six reports of capacitors overheating or igniting. No injuries have been reported.The recalled air compressors are Model 191000 and Model 192000. The model number on both units can be found on the shipping carton and invoice. The Model 191000 is a 2.5 HP air compressor with a red, six- gallon capacity tank. A blue "Northern Industrial Tools" label is on the side of the tank. The compressor motor sits on top the tank and is covered with a black plastic shell. The Model 192000 is a 2.5 HP unit with twin two-gallon tanks. The twin tanks are red and stacked vertically on one side of the unit. A blue "Northern Industrial Tools" label is on the side of the top tank. The motor is located at the base of the unit, adjacent to the twin tanks, and is partially covered with a black plastic shell.Northern Tool sold the recalled Model 191000 and 192000 air compressors through direct mail and Northern Tool specialty stores nationwide from January 2002 to May 2002 for between $110 and $120.Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Model 191000 and 192000 air compressors and should contact Northern Tool for a refund. For more information, consumers can contact Northern Tool at (800) 222-5381 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm's web site at www.northerntool.com. This recall includes only those Model 191000 and 192000 compressors sold between January and May 2002.
Hazard
The capacitors on these compressors can overheat, catch fire and ignite the plastic cover above the capacitor.
Incidents & Injuries
Northern Tool has received six reports of capacitors overheating or igniting. No injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Model 191000 and 192000 air compressors and should contact Northern Tool for a refund.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund 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 (Refund) 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.