Recalls for Fire and Electrical Defects

The following information describes products that have been recalled for serious defects that can result in fire or electrical shock. All of the information reported here has been reported by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

 

Goodman Air Handlers

 

Goodman Manufacturing has recalled approximately 210,000 air handlers because the units have been found to remain powered when the electrical disconnect handles were removed. The disconnect is a device that is supposed to deenergize the unit when the handle is removed, breaking the electrical circuit that supplies current to the air handler.  The air handlers involved in this recall are models that begin with the letters AWUF and ACNF.  The serial numbers associated with these models begin with 1511, 1512, and 1601 through 1610.  The units were sold by Goodman dealers between November 2015 and October 2016 for use in apartment complexes, townhouses and condominiums.  Mechanical contractors would then install the air handlers along with their condensing units as a package.  Owners should contact Goodman for a free inspection and free repair.  Goodman can be contacted by calling 1-888-386-2075 or visiting Goodman on line at www.goodmanmfg.com and clicking on “Air Handler Product Recall”.  Lastly, the recall number for this recall is 17-103.

 

Carrier Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners

 

The Carrier Corporation is recalling approximately 94,000 packaged terminal air conditioners (PTAC) and packaged terminal heat pumps (PTHP) for problems with the power cords. The units were sold under the Bryant, Carrier, and Fast brand names.  The power cords of these units can overheat and pose a fire hazard to consumers.  It should be noted that approximately 185,000 units were previously recalled in November of 2007 and another 285,000 units recalled in December of 2015.  This recall also includes those units that received a replacement power in the 2007 recall.  The recalled units have capacities of 7000, 9000, 12,000 and 15,000 BTU/Hr and connect to 208/230 volt power.  The recall covers the following units: Carrier models 52CE, 52CQ, 52PE, 52PQ, 52PC, 52ME and 52MQ; Bryant models 840, 841, and 842; and Fast models 840, 841, and 842.  Consumers should discontinue use of these machines and contact Carrier to receive a free replacement cord.  Carrier can contacted by calling 1-800-761-8492 or visiting www.carrier.com and clicking on “Important Product Safety Recall”.  The recall number for this recall is 17-094.

 

Philips Lighting Metal Halide Lamps

 

Philips Lighting is recalling 256,000 metal halide lamps. The company has recognized that the lamps can shatter and cause hot glass debris to fall and pose fire and laceration hazards.  The recall applies to Philips Energy Advantage Ceramic Metal Halide Lamps, model CDM330.  The lamps were manufactured between May 2011 and March 2014.  Both clear and coated versions of the lamp are included in this recall.  The recall applies to lamps with the following date codes:

1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1J, 1K, 1L, 1M, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 2J, 2K, 2L, 2M, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F, 3G, 3H, 3J, 3K, 3L, 3M, 4A, 4B, and 4C. The date code can be found on the base of the lamp or the glass bulb.  Consumers should stop using the bulbs and contact Philips for a free replacement.  Philips can be contacted by calling 1-866-253-5503 or visiting www.philips.com and clicking on “For Professionals” and then “Recalls”.  The recall number for this recall is 17-100.

Gas Station Hose Swivel Connectors Recalled

The Consumer Products Safety Commission has announced the recall, by OPW, of 824,000 of its fuel hose swivel connectors. The connectors can separate from the hose or nozzle of the fuel pump resulting in fuel spillage and possible fire and explosion hazards.  The connectors are used on fuel hoses at gas stations that sell gasolines and diesel fuels.  The connectors that are recalled are listed below as follows:

 

Model                                                Manufacturing Date    

241TPS-0241C (3/4 inch)             01/01/2013 through 03/12/2017

241TPS-0241 (3/4 inch)                01/2013 through 03/2017

36S (3/4 inch)                                01/01/2013 through 03/12/2017

241-1000 (1 inch)                          01/2013 through 03/2017

241-1000C (1 inch)                       01/01/2013 through 03/12/2017

36S (1 inch)                                   01/2013 through 03/2017

 

For additional information, owners or consumers can contact OPW by calling toll free 1-866-562-5931 or visiting www.opwglobal.com.  Owners and consumers can also visit the Consumer Product safety Commission’s website at www.cpsc.gov/recalls/2017/OPW-Recalls-Gas-Station-Hose-Swivel-Connector (on 4th page of list).  The recall number is 17-116.

 

 

GM Appeal Over Ignition Switch Cases – DENIED

The Associated Press is reporting this morning that the appeal filed by General Motors has been denied by the Supreme Court. General Motors was seeking to halt several lawsuits filed in response to the faulty ignition switch cases that were installed in certain vehicles .  The Supreme Court effectively said that the company could not hide between its 2009 bankruptcy by leaving in place a lower court ruling that said that the company was still liable.  The liability means that GM could be exposed to billions in additional claims.   A federal appeals court ruled in 2016 that the company was liable because it knew of the faulty switches for several years before filing bankruptcy and did not disclose the information to the bankruptcy court.  To date, GM has paid more than $875 million to settle death and injury claims.  This amount includes $600 million paid from a victim’s fund as well as $275 million to settle claims from 1385 separate cases.  General Motors has also paid $300 million to settle shareholder lawsuits.

Hyundai Kia Recalls

ABC news has announced that Hyundai and Kia have recently recalled over 1 million vehicles for faulty engines. The recall applies to 2011-2014 Kia Optima, 2011-2013 Kia Sportage, 2012-2014 Kia Sorento.  The vehicles are equipped with 2 liter or 2.4 liter engines which were manufactured by Hyundai’s engine plant in Alabama.  The problem with the engines is that internal parts were not cleaned properly and debris from manufacturing could restrict or block oil flow.  As a result, bearings can fail and cause the engine to stall.  Possible indications of an impending engine failure include engine warning lights and a knocking sound that increases in frequency with engine speed.  Owners should take their vehicles to their Hyundai/Kia dealers to have them checked.  The dealers will replace the block if necessary at no cost to the owner.  The recall is scheduled to begin on May 19, 2017.  It should be noted that this recall is the second recall issued in the past two years for the same engine problem.  In 2015, Hyundai recalled 470,000 2011-2012 Sonata sedans with the same engines.  For additional information, owners can contact Hyundai/Kia by calling 1-800-333-4542 or visiting www.kia.com.