"Mud Boggers" and "Street Shredders" Pump Up Racers

CPSC Recall #04-065 — January 19, 2004

Recall Summary

Recall Number04-065
Recall DateJanuary 19, 2004
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 14,000
ManufacturerK'NEX Industries Inc., of Hatfield, Pa.
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

Toys R Us
Wal-Mart
and Target stores nationwide sold the toys between November 2003 and December 2003 for about $10.

Product

"Mud Boggers" and "Street Shredders" Pump Up Racers

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), K'NEX Industries Inc., of Hatfield, Pa., is voluntarily recalling about 14,000 "Mud Boggers" and "Street Shredders" Pump Up Racers. The air motor in the toy cars can burst while being pumped up, causing parts of the motor or car to break off. Some of these parts can have sharp points and pose a risk of eye or laceration injuries.Name of product: "Mud Boggers" and "Street Shredders" Pump Up RacersUnits: About 14,000Manufacturer: K'NEX Industries Inc., of Hatfield, Pa.Hazard: The air motor in the toy cars can burst while being pumped up, causing parts of the motor or car to break off. Some of these parts can have sharp points and pose a risk of eye or laceration injuries.Incidents/Injuries: K'NEX has received two reports of bursting air motors, though no injuries have been reported.Description: The recalled K'NEX Pump Up Racers come in two models: the "Mud Bogger," which has a yellow car body and the "Street Shredder," which has a red car body. Both models have a date code beginning with 7803, which is located on the bottom of the air motor, directly under the name "K'NEX Industries Inc." The toy cars come with a pump attachment that helps project the car forward.Sold at: Toys R Us, Wal-Mart, and Target stores nationwide sold the toys between November 2003 and December 2003 for about $10.Manufactured in: ChinaRemedy: Consumers should stop children from using these toy cars immediately and contact the company for a free replacement air motor or alternative product.Consumer Contact: Call K'NEX Industries at (800) 543-5639 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or log on to the company's website at www.knex.com (note added 01/18/2005 - recall information is no longer on the firm's website).

Hazard

The air motor in the toy cars can burst while being pumped up, causing parts of the motor or car to break off. Some of these parts can have sharp points and pose a risk of eye or laceration injuries.

Incidents & Injuries

K'NEX has received two reports of bursting air motors, though no injuries have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop children from using these toy cars immediately and contact the company for a free replacement air motor or alternative product.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace 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 (Replace) at no cost to you.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

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.