Treadmills

CPSC Recall #99-024 - November 17, 1998

Recall Summary

Recall Number99-024
Recall DateNovember 17, 1998
Remedy TypeInspect, Repair
Units AffectedOver 71,000

Where It Was Sold

Fitness and specialty stores nationwide
including Atlantic Fitness
Busy Body
Fitness Experience
Fitness in Motion
Fitness Stores
Fitness Superstores and Fitness Warehouse
sold the treadmills for about $1
500 to $5
000.

Product

Treadmills

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Pacific Scientific Co., of Rockford, Ill., is recalling over 71,000 treadmills. An electrical short can occur in the treadmills' motors, presenting electrocution, shock and fire hazards to consumers. CPSC and Pacific Scientific are not aware of any injuries involving these treadmills. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The treadmills being recalled have been manufactured as various models by eight companies. Pacific Scientific Co. manufactured the motors used in the recalled treadmills. The following table identifies the specific models being recalled and the manufacturer name under which the treadmills were sold. The manufacturer's name, and model number or name are found on the treadmill itself.   Treadmill Mfr. Model When Sold Aerobics Pacemaster Pro Plus Auto Incline, Pacemaster Pro Plus Heart Rate Control, PaceMaster Pro-Plus, PaceMaster Pro-Plus HR 17,288 sold from November 1997 through October 1998 Aerobic Technologies APT1, AT1, Polaris T845, Medicostride, Platinum 1,245 sold from October 1997 through October 1998 Bodyguard Fitness Magellon, Odyssey LS, Odyssey LS2 458 sold from September 1998 through October 1998 Conetex Athlon IQ2 3,346 sold from May 1997 through October 1998 Precor 940, 944, 9.17, 9.21SI, 9.21I, 9.25I, 9.41SI, 9.21, 9.21S, 9.17SI, 9.41S, 9.25 22,645 sold from June 1997 through October 1998 Tunturi J550, J660, J661F, J77P 3,651 sold from February 1998 through October 1998 True Fitness 350 series, 450 series, 500 series, 700 series, 725 series 22,074 sold from July 1997 through October 1998 Kurt Manufacturing TM940, TM940R, TM960 540 sold from May 1997 through October 1998 Fitness and specialty stores nationwide, including Atlantic Fitness, Busy Body, Fitness Experience, Fitness in Motion, Fitness Stores, Fitness Superstores and Fitness Warehouse, sold the treadmills for about $1,500 to $5,000. Consumers should immediately unplug the recalled treadmills and call Pacific Scientific Co. anytime at (888) 340-4975 for information on participating in the recall. Pacific Scientific Co. will arrange for local dealers to go to consumers' homes, and inspect and repair the treadmills. Consumers should not use the treadmills until the repair has been made. Treadmill models sold after November 1, 1998, are not part of the recall.

Hazard

An electrical short can occur in the treadmills' motors, presenting electrocution, shock and fire hazards to consumers.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC and Pacific Scientific are not aware of any injuries involving these treadmills.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should immediately unplug the recalled treadmills and call Pacific Scientific Co. anytime at (888) 340-4975 for information on participating in the recall. Pacific Scientific Co. will arrange for local dealers to go to consumers' homes, and inspect and repair the treadmills. Consumers should not use the treadmills until the repair has been made.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Inspect, 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 (Inspect, 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.