"NuTone" brand ST-1000 Stereo-Cassette Players

CPSC Recall #96-083 — March 19, 1996

Recall Summary

Recall Number96-083
Recall DateMarch 19, 1996
Remedy TypeRepair
Units Affected25,000

Product

"NuTone" brand ST-1000 Stereo-Cassette Players

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), NuTone Inc. of Cincinnati, Ohio, is announcing a recall to repair more than 25,000 "NuTone" brand ST-1000 Stereo-Cassette Players. Components in the power supply board may overheat, causing smoke damage or fire. NuTone is aware of at least 16 incidents that resulted in property damage, ranging from melted cassette players to damage to the house itself. NuTone is not aware of any injuries involving this stereo. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The radios, measuring 14.5 inches long by 9.25 inches high, can be mounted flush against the wall and wired to remote speakers throughout the home. The stereos come in two colors, white and walnut. The words "NuTone" and "Model ST-1000" appear on the front of the radio to the left of the radio dial. The cassette deck is located at the lower right corner. The cassette players also feature volume, balance, tone and input selector dials on the front. Various retail stores and electrical distributors sold the stereos nationwide from January 1990 to December 1995. The stereo-cassette players were also installed in newly constructed homes during the same time period. Model ST-1000D (walnut) and Model ST-1000WH (white) sold for approximately $200. Model ST-1000PKD (walnut) and Model ST- 1000PKWH (white) sold for $246 as part of a set that also included two speakers, wire, an antenna, and a transformer. Consumers who have a Model ST-1000 Stereo-Cassette Player should stop using it and call NuTone at (888) 336-6151. Nutone will provide consumers with the name of a local service organization that will send a representative to the consumer's home to inspect and, if necessary, fix the radio free of charge.

Hazard

Components in the power supply board may overheat, causing smoke damage or fire.

Incidents & Injuries

NuTone is aware of at least 16 incidents that resulted in property damage, ranging from melted cassette players to damage to the house itself. NuTone is not aware of any injuries involving this stereo. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers who have a Model ST-1000 Stereo-Cassette Player should stop using it and call NuTone at (888) 336-6151. Nutone will provide consumers with the name of a local service organization that will send a representative to the consumer's home to inspect and, if necessary, fix the radio free of charge.

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.