CPSC Recall in 1998: CPSC, Fisher-Price Announce Recall to Repair Power Wheels Ride-On Battery-Powered Vehicles

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Fisher-Price, of East Aurora, N.Y., is conducting a voluntary recall involving up to 10 million battery-powered Power Wheels ride-on cars and trucks. The vehicles' electrical components can overheat and cause fires. Children can suffer injuries from fires and house fires can occur. Additionally, wiring problems can prevent the vehicles from stopping.   CPSC and Fisher-Price have received approximately 700 reports of electrical components failing and overheating while the cars and trucks were being ridden, charged, parked or stored. About 150 fires have been reported. Nine children suffered minor burns to the hands, legs, or feet; and up to $300,000 in property damage to 22 houses and garages have been reported. There have also been 71 reports of vehicles not stopping. Six children suffered bruises, scratches or bumps when their vehicles hit a car, truck, pole, window or fence.   The recalled Power Wheels cars and trucks have been sold under nearly 100 model names. The Power Wheels logo and the model name are on each vehicle. All models with two batteries are recalled, and certain models with one battery are recalled. The company will help consumers identify if their model is part of the recall. Power Wheels cars and trucks are intended for children 2 to 7 years old, and the vehicles' speed ranges from 1 to 5 mph, depending on the model.   Toy and mass merchandise stores nationwide sold the cars and trucks since 1984 for about $70 to $300.   Consumers should remove the vehicles' batteries right away and not let children use these Power Wheels vehicles. Contact Fisher-Price online at www.service.mattel.com and click on “Recalls & Safety Alerts” or at 800-348-0751 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday for more information. The firm will be providing pro-rated refunds based on the age of the recalled products.   Power Wheels sold after October 1998 are not involved in this recall.

CPSC and Fisher-Price have received approximately 700 reports of electrical components failing and overheating while the cars and trucks were being ridden, charged, parked or stored.

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CPSC and Fisher-Price have received approximately 700 reports of electrical components failing and overheating while the cars and trucks were being ridden, charged, parked or stored. About 150 fires have been reported. Nine children suffered minor burns to the hands, legs, or feet; and up to $300,000 in property damage to 22 houses and garages have been reported. There have also been 71 reports of vehicles not stopping. Six children suffered bruises, scratches or bumps when their vehicles hit a car, truck, pole, window or fence.

Toy and mass merchandise stores nationwide sold the cars and trucks since 1984 for about $70 to $300.