Wheelbarrows sold under the brand names "Easy Roller," "Homeowner," "Mustang," or "Thoroughbred"
CPSC Recall #04-169 — June 22, 2004
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 04-169 |
| Recall Date | June 22, 2004 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 647,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Hardware stores and home centers nationwide sold the recalled wheelbarrows from January 1993 through December 2000 for between $20 and $30. |
Product
Wheelbarrows sold under the brand names "Easy Roller," "Homeowner," "Mustang," or "Thoroughbred"
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Ames True Temper Inc., of Camp Hill, Pa., is again voluntarily announcing the recall of about 647,000 wheelbarrows. The plastic wheel assemblies on these wheelbarrows, manufactured by O. Ames, a predecessor company of Ames True Temper, can break when the tires are being inflated. This can result in plastic pieces exploding from the rims of the wheels, possibly hitting nearby consumers, and causing lacerations and other injuries.Ames True Temper has learned of additional serious incidents involving the recalled wheelbarrows since the original recall announcement. A total of 21 incidents have occurred from 1996 to the present, including injuries involving hand, arm and facial fractures and cuts. In a few cases, more serious and permanent injuries have been reported.To prevent further injuries, consumers should not inflate the tires on these wheelbarrows. Ames True Temper is offering a free replacement steel wheel assembly for each wheelbarrow and is offering consumers a free gardening tool gift as an incentive to have this repair performed.The wheel assemblies on these wheelbarrows have a black plastic rim and have an approximately 14-inch diameter wheel. They have red, green, or orange tubs or trays made of steel or plastic and were sold under the brand names "Easy Roller," "Homeowner," "Mustang," or "Thoroughbred." The brand name was printed on the label attached to the tray at the time of purchase. Wheelbarrows with metal wheel assemblies are not part of this recall. No "True Temper" or "Jackson" wheelbarrow is part of this recall.Hardware stores and home centers nationwide sold the recalled wheelbarrows from January 1993 through December 2000 for between $20 and $30.In addition to the free replacement wheel assembly and free gardening tool incentive, the company is conducting the recall campaign with new measures to reach home gardeners who are the primary users of these recalled wheelbarrows. These new measures include placing ads in gardening publications, providing recall information to editors and webmasters of specialty gardening magazines and websites, and providing new point-of-sale posters to retailers.For more information, call Ames True Temper toll-free at (866) 239-2281 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the company's website at www.amestruetemper.com.
Hazard
The plastic wheel assemblies on these wheelbarrows, manufactured by O. Ames, a predecessor company of Ames True Temper, can break when the tires are being inflated. This can result in plastic pieces exploding from the rims of the wheels, possibly hitting nearby consumers, and causing lacerations and other injuries.
Incidents & Injuries
Ames True Temper has learned of additional serious incidents involving the recalled wheelbarrows since the original recall announcement. A total of 21 incidents have occurred from 1996 to the present, including injuries involving hand, arm and facial fractures and cuts. In a few cases, more serious and permanent injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
To prevent further injuries, consumers should not inflate the tires on these wheelbarrows. Ames True Temper is offering a free replacement steel wheel assembly for each wheelbarrow and is offering consumers a free gardening tool gift as an incentive to have this repair performed.
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.