Rain-X® Super Glass Cleaner Concentrate, Rain-X® Plus Washer Fluid Concentrate, and Rain-X® Washe...
CPSC Recall #01-234 — September 19, 2001
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 01-234 |
| Recall Date | September 19, 2001 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 1.1 million |
| Manufactured In | United States |
Where It Was Sold
| Hardware |
| automotive and department stores nationwide sold the recalled Rain-X® products from September 1998 through August 2001 for between $1 and $5. |
Product
Rain-X® Super Glass Cleaner Concentrate, Rain-X® Plus Washer Fluid Concentrate, and Rain-X® Washer Fluid Additive
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Blue Coral, of Cleveland, Ohio is voluntarily recalling about 1.1 million containers of Rain-X® glass cleaner and washer fluid. The products, which contain methyl alcohol, are not sealed with child-resistant closures as required by federal law. Methyl alcohol, also known as methanol, is toxic and can cause blindness or death if ingested.Blue Coral has received three reports of ingestion, including two children whose parents called the Blue Coral helpline and were directed to immediate medical treatment.The recalled products include three brands: Rain-X® Super Glass Cleaner Concentrate, which was sold in 10-oz. and 16.9-oz. plastic bottles, is a blue concentrated liquid that should be added to water; Rain-X® Plus Washer Fluid Concentrate, which was sold in 10-oz. and 16.9-oz. plastic bottles and single-use 1.2-oz. pouches, is a pink concentrated liquid that also should be added to water; and Rain-X® Washer Fluid Additive, which was sold in single-use 2-oz. pouches. The Glass Cleaner and Washer Fluid bottles have a measuring cup built into the cap. A label on the back of the products reads in part, "Blue Coral Slick 50 Ltd." and "Made in USA." Rain-X® Washer Fluid Additive sold in 10-oz. and 16.9-oz. yellow bottles is not subject to this recall.Hardware, automotive and department stores nationwide sold the recalled Rain-X® products from September 1998 through August 2001 for between $1 and $5.Consumers should keep these recalled products out of the reach of young children. Consumers should call Blue Coral toll-free at (800) 416-1600 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday for information on receiving replacement child-resistant caps and a coupon toward a Rain-X® product. Consumers also can visit the company's websites at www.bluecoral.com or www.rain-x.com.Rain-X® Washer Fluid Additive sold in 10-oz. and 16.9-oz. yellow bottles is not subject to this recall.
Hazard
The products, which contain methyl alcohol, are not sealed with child-resistant closures as required by federal law. Methyl alcohol, also known as methanol, is toxic and can cause blindness or death if ingested.
Incidents & Injuries
Blue Coral has received three reports of ingestion, including two children whose parents called the Blue Coral helpline and were directed to immediate medical treatment.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should keep these recalled products out of the reach of young children. Consumers should call Blue Coral toll-free at (800) 416-1600 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday for information on receiving replacement child-resistant caps and a coupon toward a Rain-X® 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.