A defective product recall has been issued for nearly 90,000 STOK gas grills due to fire hazards. According to a news report in Consumer Affairs, there have so far been 569 reports of the regulators on the grill leaking propane gas. The propane leak at the regulators of these grills can could ignite, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers. The recall involves STOK Island and STOK Quattro gas grills. The grills were sold by Home Depot stores nationwide and in Canada and Direct Tools Factory Outlet stores nationwide from March 2011 through February 2012 for between $79 and $350. The defective grills were manufactured in China. Consumers are asked to immediately stop using the recalled grills and contact One World Technologies at (800) 867-9624.

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A new study from Carfax shows that choosing to ignore auto defect recalls can seriously jeopardize public safety. According to a news release issued by Carfax, which serves as a vehicle history expert for used cars, in 2011, more than 2.7 million used cars were on sale online with safety issues that were never fixed. Carfax recommends that car owners and sellers can greatly improve public safety by actively checking for open recalls and having their vehicles repaired by franchise dealers. Not doing so is inexcusable because these fixes are always free and finding cars with open recalls is as easy as getting on a computer and checking the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s web site.

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Nan Far Woodworking has issued a defective product recall for about 16,700 of its Rockland Furniture drop-side cribs that were sold exclusively at JC Penney because of potential entrapment hazards. According to Consumer Reports, the drop sides on these cribs can malfunction creating a space in which a child can become wedged. This could lead to strangulation or suffocation. It could also cause the child to fall out of the crib and suffer serious injuries. Incidents involving drop-side cribs can also occur when the cribs are not properly assembled or when the parts wear out over time.

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Volkswagen has issued two separate auto defect recalls for 2012 Passat and Routan vehicles because of safety issues. According to a news report in the Times Free Press, the German automaker is recalling 153 of the first Passat vehicles made at its Chattanooga plant because of a problem with the diesel filter element that may lead to a risk of fire. Apparently the vehicles were built with a diesel fuel filter element that may not seal correctly.

Over time, these vehicles could leak fuel, which could lead to a fire. When the recall begins in May, VW dealers will replace the diesel filter element on the defective vehicles. The vehicles involved in this recall were manufactured from January 18, 2011 through June 1, 2011. Also, 15 Volkswagen Routans have been recalled because of a problem with the rear suspension that may lead to wheel separation, increasing the risk of a crash. So far, no vehicle fires or car accidents have been reported due to these auto defects. Vehicle owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987 if they have any questions or concerns.

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If you own a Todson bicycle child seat, it may be in your best interest to make sure that it is not one of the 40,000 potentially defective products that have just been recalled. According to an article in Consumer Reports, the defective child seats have a grab bar hinge mechanism that can cut or even amputate a child’s finger. Officials say there have already been two reports of near amputations that resulted in stitches and a crushed finger.

These potentially dangerous child bicycle seats were sold at J&B Imports, REI, Action and Hawley between January 2009 and April 2012. According to Consumer Reports, the recalled Topeak Babyseat II bicycle carrier seats have the following model numbers: TCS2100, TCS2101 and TCS2102. Owners of Todson bicycle seats can find the model number printed either on the packaging and the name “Topeak” is on the black foam protector of the grab bar and on the back of the seat. Owners should stop using the carrier seats right away. By contacting Todson directly, they can receive a hinge cover that will prevent children from getting their finger cut or crushed.

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Chrysler Group LLC has issued two auto defect recalls to repair 2012 models for potentially faulty valves that could spark a fire and wheels that could increase the risk of a car accident. According to a report in Detroit News, the automaker is recalling 1,689 2012 Jeep Patriot and Compass SUVs that may have a fuel tank assembly with a damaged roll-over valve that could lead to fuel leaks. So far, no accidents, injuries or fires have been reported in connection with these auto defects.

The other recall is for about 289 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans that may have a faulty right rear hub and bearing assembly. This could cause a wheel to fall off. Again, the automaker says there has been no reports of injuries, crashes or fatalities s a result of these defects. When the recall begins, the company will replace the right rear hub at no cost to consumers. Both of these recalls have been linked to faulty parts produced by suppliers.

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Daimler Trucks North America has issued an auto defect recall for about 9,800 trucks. According to a news report in OverdriveOnline.com, the automaker is recalling select vehicles from three 2012 truck models for two separate defects. The company is recalling 8,747 model year 2012 Freightliner Cascadia and Western Star 4900 vehicles manufactured from December 22, 2011 through February 23, 2012 because the vehicles may be equipped with driver’s seats with seat bases that may have out-of-specification welds. This could cause the seat to buckle unexpectedly. Such as sudden movement of the seat could affect the driver’s visibility and his or her ability to control the vehicle posing a hazard.

Two Separate Recalls

DTNA is also recalling 1,046 model year 2012 Freightliner Business Class M2 and Cascadia vehicles manufactured from January 20, 2012 through February 17, 2012 because the vehicles may have been assembled with a steering wheel nut that “may not provide the clamp load required to fully seat the steering wheel on the steering shaft.” A steering wheel that is not fully seated on the shaft may wobble and make it difficult for the driver to control the vehicle increasing the risk of a car accident. When the recall begins, DTNA will notify the vehicle owners and replacement components will be installed at no charge to the consumer. Concerned vehicle owners are asked to contact the manufacturer at 1-800-547-0712.

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The number of safety recalls involving defective children’s products is down, but safety advocates still fear that safety alerts involving these dangerous products are often ignored. According to a news report in USA Today, children’s product safety recalls dropped 24 percent in 2011, but injuries and other incidents associated with these recalls increased by 7 percent. Among the tragic fatalities were two strangulation deaths that prompted the recall of the Summer Infant video baby monitors with cords and one involving a defective bunk bed. The report, released by Kids in Danger stated that this drop may be due to companies’ adherence to new children’s product safety laws.

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Honda has issued an auto defect recall for 2006 model-year CR-V crossover vehicles for a flaw in the suspension system, which could potentially cause a crash. According to a news report in The Car Connection, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s bulletin states that that strength of the weld that holds two parts of the CR-V’s suspension in place – the sub-frame brushing collar and the passenger-side front lower arm – are defective.

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General Motors has issued an auto defect recall for more than 6,000 15-passenger vans and SUVs for steering defects. According to a news report in Bloomberg Businessweek, the recall affects 2012 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana 15-passenger vans, Chevrolet Suburbans and GMC Yukon XL SUVs. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the gear shaft in some of these vehicles can break resulting in a loss of steering. So far, no crashes or injuries have been reported as a result of these auto defects.

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