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Tonka ride-on toy trucks

CPSC Recall #04-119 — April 13, 2004

Recall Summary

Recall Number04-119
Recall DateApril 13, 2004
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 70,000

Where It Was Sold

Wal-Mart
Toys R Us
Kmart
Meijer and Shopko sold the ride-on toys nationwide from December 2002 through March 2004 for about $30.

Product

Tonka ride-on toy trucks

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Tek Nek Toys International, L.P., of Grapevine, Texas, is voluntarily recalling about 70,000 ride-on toy trucks for repair. The screw and nut assembly attaching the steering wheel can come loose, posing a choking and aspiration hazard to young children.Tek Nek Toys has received six reports of the screw and nut coming loose, including the death of an 18-month-old boy who aspirated a screw.The ride-on toys were sold under five model names including Butterfly Girl, Fire Rescue, Mermaid, Police Car, and Tonka Construction Crew. The toys can be used as a ride-on or push walker toy, with a handle on the back of the seat rest. These toys were sold for children ages 1 to 3 years old. On the dash of the ride-on toys are buttons which produce sounds when activated. The recalled Ride-on vehicles have a date code from 20021127 to 20030319. The date code is located in the battery compartment located on the top panel next to the steering wheel.Wal-Mart, Toys R Us, Kmart, Meijer and Shopko sold the ride-on toys nationwide from December 2002 through March 2004 for about $30.Consumers should take these recalled ride-on toy vehicles away from young children immediately and contact Tek Nek Toys for free replacement parts. For more information, contact Tek Nek toys at (888) 661-0222 anytime or visit Tek Nek's website at www.teknektoys.com.Consumers can also view a video clip about this recall (standard version or a higher quality version - broadband connection recommended) (transcript). This is in "streaming video" format.

Hazard

The screw and nut assembly attaching the steering wheel can come loose, posing a choking and aspiration hazard to young children.

Incidents & Injuries

Tek Nek Toys has received six reports of the screw and nut coming loose, including the death of an 18-month-old boy who aspirated a screw.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should take these recalled ride-on toy vehicles away from young children immediately and contact Tek Nek Toys for free replacement parts.

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.

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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.

Federal law prohibits the sale of toys with small parts for children under age 3. CPSC uses a standardized small parts cylinder to test whether pieces from a toy can fit entirely inside — if they can, they are considered a choking hazard. Products marketed for children under 3 must not contain any small parts. Beyond the legal requirements, the CPSC and pediatricians recommend keeping all small objects away from children under 4, as the risk of choking extends beyond the formal legal age threshold.

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.

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