Reedy Quasar Pro Battery Chargers (charges batteries used to power remote control race cars)
CPSC Recall #04-160 — June 14, 2004
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 04-160 |
| Recall Date | June 14, 2004 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | 4,900 |
| Manufacturer | Associated Electrics Inc., of Costa Mesa, Calif. |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Hobby dealers nationwide from February 2002 through February 2004 for about $200. |
Product
Reedy Quasar Pro Battery Chargers (charges batteries used to power remote control race cars)
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Associated Electrics Inc., of Costa Mesa, Calif. is voluntarily recalling 4,900 Reedy Quasar Pro Battery Chargers. A defective fuse and program error in the charger can cause the battery packs being charged to overheat and explode, posing a risk of serious injury to consumers.Name of product: Reedy Quasar Pro Battery Chargers (charges batteries used to power remote control race cars)Units: 4,900Manufacturer: Associated Electrics Inc., of Costa Mesa, Calif.Hazard: A defective fuse and program error in the charger can cause the battery packs being charged to overheat and explode, posing a risk of serious injury to consumers.Incidents/Injuries: Associated Electrics has received three reports of incidents involving exploding battery cells. One consumer sustained a bruised hand, while another received an eye injury from flying debris.Description: The recalled #611 Quasar Pro Chargers were manufactured from February 2002 through February 2004. The grey charger box has words "Quasar Pro" printed in yellow on the front and shows a display of "QUASAR PRO VERSION 1.0" when first turned on. The recalled chargers either have no barcode label on the underside or a barcode label with the numbers "611" or "611A".Sold at: Hobby dealers nationwide from February 2002 through February 2004 for about $200.Manufactured in: ChinaRemedy: Consumers should stop using the charger immediately and contact Associated Electrics to receive a free repair.Consumer Contact: Call Associated Electrics at (800) 518-7339 between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m., and 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.teamassociated.com.
Hazard
A defective fuse and program error in the charger can cause the battery packs being charged to overheat and explode, posing a risk of serious injury to consumers.
Incidents & Injuries
Associated Electrics has received three reports of incidents involving exploding battery cells. One consumer sustained a bruised hand, while another received an eye injury from flying debris.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the charger immediately and contact Associated Electrics to receive 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.