The British company Maclaren knew that its recently recalled strollers could potentially lop off a tot’s fingertips over five years ago, reports the New York Post, but it didn’t bother to alert the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Transportation & Infrastructure
Maclaren's Site Is Down, Felled By Onslaught Of Recalled Stroller Concerns?
By 11.9.09
The website for recalled-for-finger-amputation stroller-maker Maclaren is down today. When you recall 1 million of anything, especially because of reports of chopping off fingers, it’s best to make sure you’ve got adequate server capacity.
Toyota Says It's Not Hiding Anything In Runaway Cars Investigation
By 11.5.09
One of Toyota’s execs said today that the company isn’t covering up information about its suddenly accelerating cars, but the Department of Transportation doesn’t seem to agree.
Ford Announces Solution To America's Car Woes: The 1993 Taurus
By 11.5.09
Here’s a video from The Onion that pretty much sums up our nation’s automobile situation. The added incentive of a free Primus tape is really what sold me.
One Death Tied To 545,699 lb Ground Beef Recall
By 11.2.09
New Hampshire has announced a death connected to the recent recall of 545,699 lbs of ground beef for e. coli contamination. The beef was sold in the following retailers, among others: Trader Joes, Price Chopper, Lancaster and Wild Harvest, Shaw’s, a unit of Supervalu, BJ’s, Ford Brothers and Giant.
Recall Roundup: Extra Scary Edition
By 10.31.09
It’s Halloween, and what’s scarier than exploding DVD player batteries and killer flatware? Or dairy lurking in an innocent-looking tortilla? What about a zombie ATV that accelerates on its own?
Memo Reveals Tragic Details Of Stuck Pedal Lexus Crash (Pics)
By 10.30.09
Tragic details are revealed in NHTSA memo about the Lexus that crashed at almost 100 MPH after the gas pedal became stuck on the floormat, leading to the immolation and death of the four family-members inside, and Toyota’s 3.8 million vehicle recall.
Some Ford Cars Are Reliable, Actually Worth Buying
By 10.27.09
Several Ford cars are among the world’s most reliable vehicles, according to the latest annual car reliability survey from Consumer Reports.
Consumer Reporter Keeps Buying Things That Catch Fire
By 10.23.09
The Handy Switch, pitched in infomercials by the zombie late Billy Mays, is theoretically a cool product. It’s a wireless light switch that you can install and plug in anywhere. It would be very useful were it not for its unfortunate tendency to burst into flames.
Blair Recalls More Flammable Clothing After Yet Another Fire
By 10.23.09
“Consumers Urged to Stop Use of Flammable Wearing Apparel,” says the warning on the Consumer Product Safety Commission Web site. You would think so, wouldn’t you? But Blair, the catalog where your grandmother probably gets all of her clothes, has expanded their recall of chenille sleepwear after nine deaths and another reported chenille fire.
Government Orders Pay Cuts For Bailed-Out Firms
By 10.22.09
The huge salaries and bonuses paid to executives of banks and other firms that received government bailout funds have been the subject of a lot of taxpayer rage. The Obama administration listened, and will order pay cuts.
Deadly, Defective Stuff Recalled
By 10.20.09
Here’s the latest roundup of consumer products recalled because they might hurt or kill you!
Woman Sues Toyota For Convincing Her She Was Being Stalked
By 10.19.09
It’s probably a bad idea to market to consumers by tricking them with practical jokes. It’s definitely a bad idea to make a consumer fear for her safety over a five day period because she thinks a stalker is coming after her. That’s why a woman in Los Angeles is suing Toyota for $10 million after being on the receiving end of a Punk’d-style stunt to promote the Toyota Matrix.
Testing Stuck Accelerator Survival Strategies
By 10.17.09
The recent recall of millions of Toyotas due to their floor mats’ unfortunate tendency to trap the cars’ accelerators, a flaw which has caused at least one confirmed horrific fatal accident, has caused people to wonder: if this happened to me, what would I do? Equipped with several different makes of cars and a test track, our colleagues at Consumer Reports Cars decided to play Mythbusters and put different stuck-accelerator survival strategies to the test.
DOT To Airlines: Sorry, But People Like To Change Their Underwear
By 10.14.09
The United States Department of Transportation has finally warned airlines: Most people don’t like to go for more than 24 hours without brushing their teeth and changing their underwear.
4.5 Million Flammable Fords Recalled
By 10.14.09
Ford and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have announced a recall of 4.5 million vehicles spanning back to 1992. A mixup in the manufacture resulted in the “self-immolation” button being labeled “cruise control.” In all seriousness, though, a vehicle fire could occur on these models, so be sure to check this out.
Need A New Car? Consider A Saturn
By 10.13.09
The Washington Post notes that although Saturn dealerships have until this time next year to close, many will be saying goodbye sooner due to low inventory, and that’s partly why now is a good time to buy a Saturn. That is, if you don’t plan on reselling it in a couple of years.
GM, Tengzhong Close To Hummer Brand Sale
By 10.10.09
So long, Hummer. Sort of. GM and Chinese company Tengzhong are closer to their deal to sell the Hummer brand.
