Mr. Coffee Coffeemaker
CPSC Recall #77-045 - May 4, 1977
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 77-045 |
| Recall Date | May 4, 1977 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | 3.1 million |
Product
Mr. Coffee Coffeemaker
Description
WASHINGTON, D. C. (May 5) -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and North American Systems, Inc., manufacturer of the "Mr. Coffee" coffemaker, announced today that North American has initiated a voluntary recall to modify 3.1 million of its machines, manufactured from July through December 1975, and distributed nationwide, which the staff of CPSC believes might pose a potential shock and/or fire hazard. The company emphasized that out of the total number of machines subject to modification, only a relatively small number may pose a hazard. North American Systems, Inc. stated it is taking this voluntary action in order to cooperate with CPSC. "Mr. Coffee" coffeemakers subject to the modification are identifiable by a letter and a two-digit number etched into the upper right-hand portion of the outside of the back cover plate. Only those machines bearing the letters "G", "H", "I", "J", "K', and "L", and the number "75" are affected. (For example, "G-75".) The company asks that consumers examine their machines for these markings, and, if their machines fall into this group, that they write to P.O. Box 22132, Cleveland, Ohio 44122, supplying their name, address, telephone number and the code number of the machine. The company will maintain records of the names, addresses, and phone numbers of these consumers and, will promptly contact them and inform them where to take their machines for free modification. Pending modification of these machines, the company recommends that owners follow these important safety instructions: 1 - Do not leave the machine unattended while in use. 2 - Be sure to unplug the machine when it is not in use. 3 - Turn off the brewing switch when the brewing cycle is completed and turn off the warming switch when the coffee is no longer being kept warm. 4 - Do not tamper with or attempt to adjust the machine. The machine should be serviced only by an authorized "Mr. Coffee" service center. The voluntary corrective action plan has been accepted by the Commission. In a related action the Commission has provisionally accepted $25,000 to settle an alleged timeliness violation.
Hazard
CPSC believes the coffeemakers might pose a potential shock and/or fire hazard.
Remedy Instructions
The company asks that consumers examine their machines for these markings, and, if their machines fall into this group, that they write to P.O. Box 22132, Cleveland, Ohio 44122, supplying their name, address, telephone number and the code number of the machine. The company will maintain records of the names, addresses, and phone numbers of these consumers and, will promptly contact them and inform them where to take their machines for free modification.
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.