Voltron Lion Toys

CPSC Recall #86-070 - November 11, 1986

Recall Summary

Recall Number86-070
Recall DateNovember 11, 1986
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedApproximately 203,000 complete sets and 424,000 pieces of Deluxe Voltron Lions and 866,000 Miniature Voltron Lions

Product

Voltron Lion Toys

Description

WASHINGTON, DC --The Consumer Product Safety Commission today issued a warning about a potential lead paint hazard to consumers who purchased certain Deluxe Voltron Lion robot toys and Miniature Voltron Lion robot toys distributed by Matchbox Toys (USA), Ltd. of Moonachie, Jersey and manufactured in Taiwan for Bandai Co., Ltd. Certain paints on the metal parts on both sizes of Voltron Lions contain levels of lead which are higher than that which is allowed by law. These toys are, therefore, banned. Approximately 203,000 complete sets and 424,000 pieces of Deluxe Voltron Lions and 866,000 Miniature Voltron Lions made in Taiwan were sold to consumers nationwide since July, 1985. Those manufactured in Japan do not contain excessive levels of lead. The Deluxe Voltron Lions set sold for approximately $60.00 to $90.00. The Miniature Voltron Lion sold for approximately $12.00 to $15.00.A Deluxe Voltron Lion set consists of five separate lions in five different colors which can be connected to one another to form the complete robot figure which is about 11 inches tall. A black lion forms the head and torso. Green and red lions form the arms. Yellow and blue lions form the legs. A consumer can purchase a complete set of all five lions or the separate pieces. All five pieces of the Deluxe version bear Paint on the metal parts which contain excess levels of lead.The Miniature Voltron Lions which are about 6 inches tall resemble the Deluxe version, but the body parts are not designed to separate.Miniature LionsDeluxe LionSilver stick-on labels say:Silver stick-on labels say:C    BANDAI 1981SD or CJMADE IN TAIWAMorBANDAIMADE IN TAIWANandEmbossed on yellow piece on back of torso:MADE IN TAIWANGOLION    DC    Y&K, TOEIMADE IN TAIWANandEmbossed on underside of jaw of lions forming arms and legs and under tail of lion forming torso:C   BANDAI1981 TAIWANAlthough the Consumer Product Safety Commission has not received any reports of lead poisoning associated with these toys, consumers are advised to remove the toys from use immediately and to call a toll-free number to obtain a new replacement Voltron. A risk of lead poisoning occurs when lead enters the blood stream. These toys present no health risk to children unless the paint is swallowed.Some Voltron Lions are NOT being recalled and exchanged.These include:- Miniature and Deluxe Valtron Lions "MADE IN JAPAN"- Voltron Lions made entirely of plastic- All other Voltron products, including Voltron Warriors, Voltron Gladiators and Voltron Vehicles.Under laws administered by CPSC, an estimated 325 million potentially hazardous products have been called back from the marketplace and consumer since 1973 (when CPSC was created). Most if these were voluntarily recalled by manufacturers who established programs to repair or replace the products, or to refund the purchase price.​​To identify the Voltron Lions being recalled and to obtain a free replacement, telephone Matchbox toll-free: 1-800-445-8697. New Jersey call 1-800-445-0012. Consumers may also obtain information about the recalled toys by calling the CPSC toll-free hotline: 300-633-CPSC. The teletypewriter number for the hearing impaired is (800) 638-8270.

Hazard

Certain paints on the metal parts on both sizes of Voltron Lions contain levels of lead which are higher than that which is allowed by law. These toys are, therefore, banned.

Incidents & Injuries

None Reported

Remedy Instructions

Consumers are advised to remove the toys from use immediately and to call a toll free number to obtain a new replacement Voltron

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.