February 24, 2012

KAWASAKI / NINJA ZX-10R 2008-2011 ; KAWASAKI / NINJA ZX-6R

Vehicle Make / Model:  Model Year(s):
KAWASAKI / NINJA ZX-10R  2008-2011
KAWASAKI / NINJA ZX-6R    2009-2012

Manufacturer:
KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP.,  U.S.A.

Component:
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator

Potential Number of Units Affected:
20,544

Summary:
Kawasaki is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Ninja ZX-10R, and 2009-2012 Ninja ZX-6R motorcycles manufactured from December 14, 2007 through July 26, 2011. Due to a manufacturing error, the regulator/rectifier may insufficiently charge the battery.

Consequence:
If the battery discharges, the motorcycle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy:
Kawasaki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the voltage regulator, free of charge. The safely recall is expected to begin on or about February 27, 2012. Owners may contact Kawasaki at 949-770-0400.

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February 24, 2012

NISSAN / MURANO 2012 ; NISSAN / ROGUE 2012

Vehicle Make / Model:     Model Year(s):
NISSAN / MURANO           2012
NISSAN / ROGUE             2012

Manufacturer:
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Component:
Tires:Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems

Potential Number of Units Affected:
2.983

Summary:
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012 Murano and Rogue vehicles, manufactured from November 23, 2011 through January 11, 2012. During assembly, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) was not activated. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 138, “Tire Pressure Monitoring System.”

Consequence:
A non-active TPMS cannot warn a driver that a tire is underinflated. Underinflated tires can result in tire overloading and overheating, which could lead to a blowout and possible crash.  

Remedy:
All of the affected vehicles are still in dealer inventory. Dealers have been instructed to activate all of the tire pressure monitoring systems.

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February 24, 2012

Suntech America Recalls SolarBlend Roof Tiles Due to Fire Hazard

Name of Product: SolarBlend™ Roof Tiles

Units: About 300 installations

Importer: Suntech America Inc., of San Francisco, Calif.

Manufacturer: Wuxi Suntech Power Co. Ltd., of Wuxi, China

Hazard: The connectors between the solar roof tiles can become loose, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Suntech has received one report of one fire involving six SolarBlend roof tiles. Only the tiles were damaged and no one was injured.

Description: SolarBlend roof tiles replace conventional roof tiles to provide solar energy to the building. This recall involves all SolarBlend roof tiles with model numbers STP050D-5/ZCB (brown), STP050D-5/ZCF (terra cotta), and STP050D-5/ZCG (gray).

Sold by: Roofing retailers and installers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Kansas and Nevada from October 2009 through March 2011. Depending on the solar energy system size, installation cost can range from $15,000 to $100,000.

Remedy: Suntech has been notifying consumers directly. Consumers who have not been contacted by Suntech should turn off their solar energy systems immediately. Consumers should contact Suntech to schedule a free inspection and repair of the solar energy system. Suntech will repair the solar energy system at no cost to the consumer.

Consumer Contact: For additional information and to schedule a free inspection and repair of the solar energy systems, contact Suntech toll-free at (888) 770-7122 between 5 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at http://www.suntech-power.com/product-safety

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February 24, 2012

Voluntary Recall Of Goya, Great Value, Hatuey, Mr. Special, Polar, Publix, Regal, And SuperMax Brand Malta Beverages In 7-oz Bottles Due To Possible Health Risk

The Florida Brewery, Inc. is recalling certain lots of Goya, Great Value, Hatuey, Mr. Special, Polar, Publix, Regal, and SuperMax brand non-alcoholic malta beverages packaged in 7-oz bottles because glass on the exterior of the bottles may break when the twist-off cap is removed from the bottle and can result in cuts to the mouth. To date, the Company has received two reports of consumers experiencing cuts to the mouth.

The Goya, Great Value, Hatuey, Mr. Special, Polar, Publix, Regal, and SuperMax brand malta beverage lot codes being recalled are:

The lot codes are printed directly on the bottles above the label.

The Florida Brewery distributed the 7-oz Goya, Great Value, Hatuey, Mr. Special, Polar, Publix, Regal, and SuperMax brand malta beverages in Florida, Texas, Georgia, California and Puerto Rico during the period December 8, 2011 to February 1, 2012.

About the Recall

The Florida Brewery is working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to execute the recall.

The recall only affects the brands and lot codes listed above.

The Florida Brewery learned of this issue from consumer reports and initiated an investigation. The Company's investigation continues and it is taking steps to ensure that all appropriate measures are taken.

Information for Consumers

Consumers who are in possession of products with lot numbers listed above should return the product to the place of purchase. Consumers will receive either a full refund, product replacement, coupon or product credit.

Consumers can call The Florida Brewery's consumer hotline at 1-866-872-8860 weekdays between 8am and 8pm eastern standard time, and weekends between 8am and 5pm eastern standard time to obtain additional details on the recall and the product return process.

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February 23, 2012

ECHO Recalls Backpack Blowers Due to Fire Hazard

Name of Product: Gas Powered Backpack Blower

Units: About 16,000

Manufacturer: ECHO Inc., of Lake Zurich, Ill.

Hazard: The fuel line between the fuel tank and carburetor could have been damaged during assembly leading to fuel leakage, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported

Description: This recall involves two models of the ECHO 2-cycle gas powered backpack blowers. The 25.4 cc blowers are orange and black in color and “ECHO” is printed on the pull starter housing and blower tube. Model numbers are on a label near the pull starter handle. Serial numbers are on a label near the gas filler cap. Models and corresponding serial numbers included in this recall:

Sold at: Home Depot and authorized ECHO dealers from August 2011 through January 2012 for about $270.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the backpack blowers and return them to an authorized ECHO servicing dealer for a free repair.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact ECHO toll-free at (800) 432-3246 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.echo-usa.com

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February 23, 2012

Kelty Recalls Jogging Strollers Due to Fall and Injury Hazards

Name of Product: Kelty Single and Double Jogging Strollers

Units: About 3,000

Importer: Kelty, of Boulder, Colo., a division of American Recreation Products

Hazard: The front wheel can come loose during use and cause the stroller to tip over, posing a fall and injury hazard to children in the stroller and adults pushing the stroller.

Incidents/Injuries: There have been three reported incidents with these recalled strollers, including cuts, scrapes and fractured bones to adults, and minor cuts and scrapes to children.

Description: This recall involves Kelty Speedster Swivel Deluxe single jogging strollers and Swivel Deuce double jogging strollers. The strollers have an aluminum frame and a cloth seat with a canopy. They were sold in color combinations blue/gray and orange/gray. “Kelty Kids” is embroidered on the front of the stroller in the child’s leg area. The following model numbers are included in this recall. The model number and stroller name are printed on a tag inside the stroller’s seat area.

Sold at: Juvenile product stores and sporting goods stores nationwide and by Web retailers, including www.kelty.com, from January 2010 through February 2012 for between $375 and $475.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled strollers and contact Kelty to receive free updated assembly and maintenance instructions.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Kelty toll-free at (866) 349-7225 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. MT, or visit the firm’s website at www.kelty.com

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February 23, 2012

ACURA / MDX 2012 ; HONDA / PILOT 2012

Vehicle Make / Model:      Model Year(s):
ACURA / MDX                     2012
HONDA / PILOT                 2012

Manufacturer:
HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)

Component:
Fuel system, gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly

Potential Number of Units Affected:
8,709

Summary:
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 Pilot and Acura MDX vehicles. The vent shut float (VSF) valve case in the fuel tank assembly does not meet the design specification.

Consequence:
As a result, fuel may leak from the tank, increasing the risk of fire.

Remedy:
Honda will notify owners and dealers will inspect the VSF assembly date and, if necessary, replace he fuel tank assembly, free of charge.  The safety recall is expected to begin on or about March 13, 2012. Owners may contact Honda Customer Service at 1-800-999-1009.

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February 23, 2012

HONDA / ODYSSEY 2008-2009

Vehicle Make / Model:    Model Year(s):
HONDA / ODYSSEY         2008-2009

Manufacturer:
HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)

Component:
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge and Attachments

Potential Number of Units Affected:
45,747

Summary:
Honda is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Odyssey vehicles, the gas-filled struts that help to raise and support the liftgate of vehicle equipped with a power liftgate system may be prone to early life failures due to a manufacturing flaw. The flaw can result in a leak of the pressurized gas, leading to reduced strut performance.

Consequence:
Struts with diminished performance can lead to unexpected closure, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy:
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace both power liftgate gas struts free of charge. The safely recall is expected to begin on or about March 13, 2012. Owners may contact Honda Customer Service at 1-800-999-1009.

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February 22, 2012

Meijer Recalls Touch Point Fan Heaters Due to Fire, Shock Hazards

Name of Product: Forced Air Heater

Units: About 6,102

Importer/Retailer: Meijer Inc., of Grand Rapids, Mich.

Hazard: Exposed and unshielded electrical components can cause the heater to overheat and melt, posing fire and electrical shock hazards.

Incidents/Injuries: Meijer received one report of a unit’s base burning, melting and damaging the carpet beneath it. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves Touch Point brand oscillating forced air fan heaters with model number HW-218 and date code 0811. The model number and date code are on a silver sticker on the bottom of the heater. Universal Product Code (UPC) 7-13733-30927-1 is on the bottom of the packaging. The heaters are white, 12 inches tall, 9 inches wide and 8 inches deep. They have two round control knobs and a red warning light on the top front, and a black on/off switch on the front base that controls the fan’s oscillation. The words “Touch Point” appear on the right front of the heater’s base.

Sold exclusively at: Meijer stores in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio from September 2011 through November 2011 for about $20.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled heaters and return them to any Meijer store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Meijer at (800) 927-8699 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.meijer.com

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February 22, 2012

CPSC Adopts New Federal Standard for Portable Bed Rails

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted (4-0) to adopt a new federal standard to make portable bed rails safer for children. A portable bed rail is used on the side of an adult bed to keep children, typically age 2 to 5 years old, from falling out of the bed.

The mandatory standard contains safety requirements for bed rails and addresses consumer assembly and installation problems that have resulted in child deaths. CPSC staff worked closely with the standards development organization ASTM International to update its consensus standard. CPSC's new mandatory standard incorporates ASTM's bed rail standard F2085-12.

The federal standard for portable bed rails includes the following requirements:

• Portable bed rails must not create a dangerous gap with the mattress into which a child can fall.
• They must be tested to make sure the bed rail hardware is permanently attached, and that the components cannot be assembled in an unsafe manner.
• Bed rails must have improved warnings on labels and instructions.
• Installation components, such as anchor or straps, must be permanently attached to the bed rail. These component parts also must have a warning label on them.
• Bed rails must not have hazardous sharp edges, points or small parts.

The improved warnings explicitly state that bed rails should never be used with children younger than two years old. They are intended for children age 2 to 5 who can get out of an adult bed without help. Gaps in and around bed rails have entrapped young children and killed infants.

The federal standard will go into effect six months after publication of the final rule in the Federal Register.

In addition to portable bed rails, the Commission has approved mandatory standards for other children’s products, including cribs, bath seats, baby walkers and toddler beds, as required by Congress in Section 104 of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008.

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