The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Radio Flyer in Chicago announced the recall of 165,000 Scoot ‘n Zoom riding toys today because the red plastic toy can tip over while being ridden and that is apparently not the original point of the toy. [More]
Transportation & Infrastructure
60,000 Pounds Of Ground Beef Recalled Because E.Coli Doesn't Make For A Good Burger
By 8.15.11
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a recall of more than 60,000 pounds of ground beef because of possible E. coli contamination. The recalled meat was produced by the Kansas-based National Beef Packing Company and shipped to stores nationwide. [More]
GM Recalls 16,000 2012 Chevy Impala & Buick LaCrosse Vehicles
By 8.12.11
It isn’t even 2012 yet but General Motors is already recalling nearly 12,000 model year 2012 Chevrolet Impalas and more than 4,000 new Buick Lacrosse cars, each for different reasons. [More]
Honda Recalls 1.5 Million Accords, CR-Vs & Elements Over Transmission Concerns
By 8.5.11
Honda has announced a recall of certain model year 2005-2010 4-cylinder Accords, 2007-2010 CR-Vs and 2005-2008 Elements to update the software that controls those vehicles’ automatic transmissions. [More]
300,000 Dodge & Chrysler Minivans Recalled For Possible Airbag Problems
By 8.4.11
Chrysler has recalled 300,000 model year 2008 Dodge Caravan, Chrsyler Grand Voyager and Town & Country minivans in the U.S. over concerns that the airbags on these vehicles could inadvertently deploy, which is hilarious in slapstick comedies but potentially deadly in real life. [More]
CPSC Chair Tenenbaum: We're Not Trying To Play "Gotcha" With Manufacturers
By 8.3.11
Regular readers of Consumerist know that we cover a lot of recalls — from faulty booster seats to wine openers with potentially bloody consequences — many of them announced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. We recently met with CPSC chair Inez Tenenbaum to discuss how the commission works with manufacturers on everything from the recall process to new standards on lead and drop-side cribs, and why some within the commission are attempting to scuttle its new products database. [More]
Consumer Reports Can't Recommend Redesigned Honda Civic LX
By 8.1.11
The Honda Civic LX has historically done well when tested by our cohorts at Consumer Reports, often coming out among the highest rated small sedans. It’s also been listed as one of the magazine’s Top Picks in five of the last 10 years. But following a highly anticipated redesign, the latest Civic LX now scores so low that Consumer Reports can no longer recommend it. [More]
Thieves Decide They Want Zipcars' Wheels Right Now
By 7.22.11
Looks like some thieves took Zipcar’s slogan, “Wheels when you want them,” too literally. [More]
Got Questions For The Consumer Product Safety Commission? Ask Away
By 7.21.11
Later this afternoon, I’ll be meeting with Inez Tenenbaum, Chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission to talk about everything from the process of determining whether or not to issue a product recall to the CPSC’s work in getting lead paint off kids’ toys to opponents’ attempts to gut the just-created recall database. [More]
More Chrysler Workers Suspended For Drinking During Work Hours
By 7.19.11
For the second time in less than a year, workers on Chrysler manufacturing lines have been caught on camera — and subsequently suspended for — drinking (and possibly smoking a controlled substance) during work hours. [More]
Car Dealerships Adding Cafes, Beauty Salons & Other Gimmicks To Give Customers Something Different
By 7.14.11
In an attempt to rid U.S. consumers of the idea that domestic car dealerships are dreary, antiquated places with only a pot of burnt coffee to keep you awake while you wait in uncomfortable chairs, a growing number of car sellers are sprucing up their showrooms to keep potential buyers from running across the street to the cooler looking import lot. [More]
Dodge Recalls 242,000 Ram Pickups Over Steering Concerns
By 7.13.11
Because they don’t want you possibly smashing up your truck — or anyone else’s vehicle — the folks at Dodge have issued a recall on more than 240,000 Ram pickup trucks over concerns about the tie rod assembly in the front steering system. [More]
Dollar Tree Recalls 117,000 Glass Candles For Shattering
By 7.13.11
117,000 glass votive candle holders sold at Dollar Tree, Dollar Bill$, and Dollar Tree Deal$ stores have been recalled. They can shatter when they’re lit, leaving glass and fire all over the place where it can cut and/or burn you. [More]
Macy's To Pay $750K For Selling Hoodies With Drawstrings
By 7.11.11
When I was a young thing, the drawstring on your hooded sweatshirt was something to chew on or play with while being bored to death in school. But as of 2006, such drawstrings have been considered strangulation hazards in children’s clothing. That, however, didn’t stop Macy’s from selling hoodies, jackets and other kids’ clothing with drawstrings, which is why the retailer now has to pay a penalty of $750,000. [More]
NHTSA: Hybrids & Electric Vehicles Are Silent But (Possibly) Deadly To Pedestrians
By 7.7.11
One of the first things most people notice when driving or riding in a hybrid or electric vehicle is just how much quieter the engine is compared to your standard gasoline engine. But the folks at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are worried that these cars might be a little too quiet for passing pedestrians. Thus, NHTSA is looking for ways these vehicles can alert pedestrians to their presence. [More]
GM Giving Out 1 Free Year Of Auto Insurance With New Car Purchase
By 7.7.11
To try to lure customers back into the dealership, GM is trying out a novel idea. They’re giving new car buyers a free year of car insurance with their purchase. [More]
GM, Chrysler, Toyota Warn That Higher-Ethanol Gas May Void Warranties
By 7.5.11
Even though gasoline containing upward of 15% ethanol content (E15) hasn’t come on the consumer market, the government has already finalized the labels that will be affixed to pumps carrying the fuel, a sign of E15 will likely make it to your local gas station at some point. Now Bloomberg reports that nine automakers, including GM, Chrysler and Toyota have warned regulators that putting E15 in your tank may void your vehicle’s warranty. [More]
Your Baby's Crib Probably Fails Tough New Safety Rules
By 6.30.11
Does your crib pass the new strict safety rules that went into effect Tuesday? Most likely not. “Newly required safety tests are so stringent that few cribs in American homes — even those that have escaped recall after recall — are sturdy enough to pass them,” reports the Los Angeles Times. “As a result, federal regulators recommend that families that can afford to do so buy new cribs and destroy their old ones.” Here’s what you need to know. [More]
