CPSC, Alpha International Announce Recall of Pedal Cars
CPSC recall 02104 · announced February 20, 2002 · Alpha International Inc., Also Known As Gearbox Pedal Car · 75,000 units affected
The product
There are 17 models of the pedal cars included in the recall. Models include three fire trucks, four police cars, eight sedans, one yellow taxi, and one dump truck. Model names are listed below: Fire Trucks: "Fire Truck," "John Deere" and "Texaco." Police Cars: "NYPD," "Chicago Police," "Highway Patrol" and "EMERGENCY 911." Sedans: pink "Champion," blue "Champion," "Texaco," "John Deere," "Citgo," "Raley's Coca-Cola," "Raley's Keebler," and "Red Lion." All of the pedal cars are made of metal and come in a variety of colors. Most of the cars have a "Gearbox" logo on the seat back, the hubcaps, and/or the pedals.
The hazard
The paint coating on some of these pedal cars contains high lead levels. CPSC standards ban toys and other children's products containing high levels of lead. Young children could ingest the lead from the car's paint coating, presenting a lead poisoning hazard.
What to do (per CPSC)
Consumers should take these pedal cars away from young children immediately.
Notes
Incidents (per CPSC): Alpha International has not received any reports of injuries involving these pedal cars. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.
Sold at: The two "Raley's" cars were sold exclusively at Raley's supermarkets, from July 2000 through December 2000. Department, toy, and specialty/collectible stores sold all of the other pedal cars, from November 1999 through January 2002, for between $100 and $500.
Consumer contact: The firm is out of business. Consumers should call the CPSC hotline at 800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054).
Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission public recall data. This page reports official records and is not legal, medical, or repair advice.