Husqvarna Viking Designer I Sewing and Embroidery Machines

CPSC Recall #06-082 — February 6, 2006

Recall Summary

Recall Number06-082
Recall DateFebruary 6, 2006
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 55,000
ManufacturerVSM Group AB of Husqvarna, Sweden, and its subsidiary VSM Sewing Inc. (Husqvarna Viking), of Westlake, Ohio
Manufactured InSweden

Where It Was Sold

Independent sewing machine dealers nationwide from January 1999 through December 2004 for between $5
500 and $6
000.

Product

Husqvarna Viking Designer I Sewing and Embroidery Machines

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), VSM Group AB of Husqvarna, Sweden, and its subsidiary VSM Sewing Inc. (Husqvarna Viking), of Westlake, Ohio, are recalling about 55,000 Husqvarna Viking Designer I Sewing and Embroidery Machines. Electrical arcing can occur in the machine's power supply, posing a risk of fire.Name of Product: Husqvarna Viking Designer I Sewing and Embroidery MachinesUnits: About 55,000Manufacturer/Distributor: VSM Group AB of Husqvarna, Sweden, and its subsidiary VSM Sewing Inc. (Husqvarna Viking), of Westlake, OhioHazard: Electrical arcing can occur in the machine's power supply, posing a risk of fire.Incidents/Injuries: The firm reports three incidents of these machines overheating and catching fire. One incident resulted in extensive smoke damage to a consumer's home, and the other two incidents resulted in minor property damage.Description: The Husqvarna Viking Designer I sewing and embroidering machines have white plastic exterior and contain the words "Husqvarna Viking" and "Designer I." The recall involves units with serial number, which are located on the bottom of the machine, in the following ranges:Beginning withEnding with00 or 61923314250, 1, 3, 4 or 961, 3 or 471, 2 or 482 or 491 or 5Sold at: Independent sewing machine dealers nationwide from January 1999 through December 2004 for between $5,500 and $6,000.Manufactured in: SwedenRemedy: Consumers should stop using these sewing machines, and return them to the dealer where purchased for a free repair.Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Husqvarna Viking at (800) 446-2333 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or go to the firm's Web site at www.husqvarnaviking.com.

Hazard

Electrical arcing can occur in the machine's power supply, posing a risk of fire.

Incidents & Injuries

The firm reports three incidents of these machines overheating and catching fire. One incident resulted in extensive smoke damage to a consumer's home, and the other two incidents resulted in minor property damage.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using these sewing machines, and return them to the dealer where purchased for a free repair.

What Should You Do?

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