No other rifle manufacturer uses this design. According to the lawsuit filed by Jay Rambo, his father was loading the .338 Caliber Model 700 Remington rifle when it fired without the trigger being touched. The high velocity 200 grain bullet struck Jay Rambo in the forearm as well as his right gluteus according to the complaint. The gun was resting on the foam of the open gun case as it was being loaded by Jay’s father, Dale Rambo.

That trigger mechanism, known as the “Walker Fire Control,” uses an internal component called a “connector.” The lawsuit alleges that Remington has known about the problems with the Walker Fire Control for decades. In a company memo from 1979, Remington even admits to its own defect and recognizes the danger to its customers.

Remington even redesigned the fire control for the Model 700 with a newly designed trigger, the X-Mark Pro. That design was completed in 2002. Even today, Remington installs the new fire control into some but not all of its bolt-action rifles. However, Remington chose to continue with its Walker design for financial reasons, never warning the public.

Jay Rambo is just one of thousands of people who have filed lawsuits over Remington Model 700 rifle misfires. In several lawsuits involving Remington Model 700 rifle misfire injuries, the rifle maker has been ordered to pay substantial damages to plaintiffs. The company has also paid out about $20 million to settle such lawsuits out-of-court.

Since late 2008, the US Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has received more than 3,500 reports from residents in 38 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico regarding defective Chinese drywall. Gases emitted from Chinese drywall are being blamed for significant property damage, including damage to HVAC systems, smoke detectors, electrical wiring, metal plumbing components, and other household appliances.

According to a statement from the IRS, Revenue Procedure 2010-36 provides the following relief:

• Individuals who pay to repair damage to their personal residences or household appliances resulting from corrosive drywall may treat the amount paid as a casualty loss in the year of payment.

• Taxpayers who have already filed their income tax return for the year of payment generally have three years to file an amended return and claim the deduction.

• The amount of a loss that may be claimed depends on whether the taxpayer has a pending claim for reimbursement (or intends to pursue reimbursement) of the loss through property insurance, litigation or otherwise.

• In cases where a taxpayer does not have a pending claim for reimbursement, the taxpayer may claim as a loss all unreimbursed amounts paid during the taxable year to repair damage to the taxpayer’s personal residence and household appliances resulting from corrosive drywall.

• If a taxpayer does have a pending claim (or intends to pursue reimbursement), a taxpayer may claim a loss for 75 percent of the unreimbursed amount paid during the taxable year to repair damage to the taxpayer’s personal residence and household appliances that resulted from corrosive drywall.

A taxpayer who has been fully reimbursed before filing a return for the year the loss was sustained may not claim a loss. A taxpayer who has a pending claim for reimbursement (or intends to pursue reimbursement) may have income or an additional deduction in subsequent taxable years depending on the actual amount of reimbursement received.

For purposes of this revenue procedure, the term “corrosive drywall” means drywall that is identified as problem drywall under the two step identification method published by the CPSC and the Department of Housing and Urban Development in their interim guidance dated January 28, 2010, the IRS said.

These recalled tricycles were sold at mass merchandise stores nationwide from January 1997 through August 2010 for about $25. The trikes are intended for children 2 to 5 years of age and have either a disc-shaped or D-shaped pretend key. The pretend keys are located about 3 inches in front of the seat and protrude at least 5/8 inches above the trike’s body. The model numbers are located under the seat in the storage compartment.

Consumers should immediately place the trikes out of children’s reach and contact Fisher-Price for a free replacement key.

Healthy Care, Easy Clean and Close to Me High Chairs
Fisher-Price is also recalling Healthy Care, Easy Clean and Close to Me High Chairs. The recall includes 950,000 high chairs sold in the US and 125,000 sold in Canada. Children can fall on or against the pegs on the rear legs of the high chair resulting in injuries or lacerations. The pegs are used for high chair tray storage. The CPSC and Fisher-Price are aware of 14 reports of incidents, including seven reports of children requiring stitches and one tooth injury. One of these incidents was reported in Canada.

These recalled high chairs were sold in mass merchandise retail stores nationwide from September 2001 through September 2010 for between about $70 and $115. The high chairs have a folding frame for storage and a three-position reclining seat. The model number and date code of the high chair is on the back of the seat. All Easy Clean and Close To Me High Chairs are included in this recall. Only Healthy Care High Chairs manufactured before December 2006 are included in the recall. If the fourth digit in the date code is 6 or less, the Healthy Care High Chair is included in the recall.

Consumers should stop using the High Chair immediately and contact Fisher-Price for instructions and a free repair kit.

Little People Wheelies Stand ‘n Play Rampway
Today’s Fisher-Price recalls also include about 100,000 Little People Wheelies Stand ‘n Play Rampway toys and another 20,000 sold in Canada. The wheels on the purple and the green cars included with these toys can come off, posing a choking hazard to young children. Fisher-Price has received two reports of a wheel detaching from a vehicle. No injuries have been reported.

The recall involves Little People Wheelies Stand ‘n Play Rampway with model numbers T4261 and V6378. They were sold with small cars that a child can push down winding ramps. Only the purple and the green cars that are marked “Mexico” and do not have a yellow dot on the bottom are included in the recall. The toy is intended for children 1 ½ to 5 years of age.

These toys were sold at mass merchandise stores nationwide from April 2010 through September 2010 for about $45. About 2.8 million were sold in the US, while another 125,000 were sold in Canada.

Consumers should immediately take the affected purple and the green cars away from children and contact Fisher-Price for free replacement cars.

Toys with Inflatable Balls
Finally, Fisher-Price is also recalling Baby Playzone Crawl & Cruise Playground, Baby Playzone Crawl & Slide Arcade, Baby Gymtastics Play Wall, Ocean Wonders Kick & Crawl Aquarium (C3068 and H8094), 1-2-3 Tetherball, Bat & Score Goal. The valve on an inflatable ball on these toys can come off and pose a choking hazard to young children. The CPSC and Fisher-Price are aware of 46 reports of incidents where the valve came off in the US and eight reports in Canada. These include 14 reports of the valve found in a child’s mouth and three reports of a child beginning to choke. No injuries have been reported.

Consumers should immediately remove the inflatable ball from the product and keep away from children. Do not discard the inflatable ball. Contact Fisher-Price for a free replacement kit.

For additional information regarding any of these recalls, consumers should contact Fisher-Price at (800) 432-5437 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.service.mattel.

Genuine BlackBerry-branded batteries are not included in this recall. No other Asurion or BlackBerry products are involved in this recall.

Asurion has received two reports of counterfeit BlackBerry®-branded batteries overheating, causing minor burns to a consumer’s finger and minor property damage to a sofa and car seat.

The refurbished BlackBerry devices involved in this battery recall were sent to consumers by Asurion through a handset protection program between March 2004 through October 2009. The batteries were used across virtually all models of refurbished BlackBerry devices distributed by Asurion prior to November 1, 2009.

Consumers who received refurbished BlackBerry devices through Asurion prior to November 1, 2009 should immediately stop using the product and contact the company for a replacement product. Asurion is directly contacting known consumers with the affected batteries to notify them of this recall.

For more information on this recall, consumers should contact Asurion toll-free at (866) 384-9175 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.001batex.com.

According to the CPSC, one of the four newly-reported incidents resulted in significant damage to a home. In December, LG Electronics Tianjin Appliance Co., of China, the manufacturer of the dehumidifiers, said it had received 11 reports of property damage incidents involving arcing, heat and smoke. These 11 incidents included four fires that spread to the building structure and involved significant smoke/water damage. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves 30-pint portable dehumidifiers. The dehumidifiers are white with a red shut-off button, controls for fan speed and humidity control and a front-loading water bucket. “Goldstar” or “Comfort-Aire” is printed on the front. The model and serial numbers are printed on the interior of the dehumidifiers and can be viewed after the water bucket is removed. A complete list of affected model and serial numbers can be found here.

The recalled humidifiers were sold at Home Depot, Walmart and Heat Controller Inc. nationwide from January 2007 through June 2008 for between $140 and $150.

The CPSC is warning consumers to immediately stop using the recalled dehumidifier, contact LG to determine if it is included in the recall and return it to an authorized LG service center for a free repair.

For additional information, contact LG toll-free at (877) 220-0479 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday and between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. CT on Saturday for the location of an authorized LG service center for the repair, or visit the firm’s website at www.30pintdehumidifierrecall.com

Since last November, Toyota has recalled about 8.5 million vehicles worldwide to resolve the floor-mat interference and sticking pedal problems that may lead to incidents of unintended acceleration. Some vehicles are subject to both recalls. Complaints to the National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA) attribute 93 deaths to sudden acceleration of a Toyota vehicle.

Earlier this year, Toyota agreed to pay a record $16.375 million fine levied by the NHTSA for concealing information related to a January recall of 2.3 million vehicles for sticky accelerator pedals. The company also faces more than 200 lawsuits resulting from the sticky accelerator and floor mat recalls.

Toyota has blamed the acceleration problems on driver error, but consumer advocates and plaintiffs’ attorneys have alleged that they are the result of a defect in the vehicles’ electronic throttle control system.

The Toyota documents detailed by ABC were referenced in a revised complaint filed Monday against Toyota in U.S. District Court in Southern California. The class-action complaint was filed on behalf of 40 Toyota owners who claim that cases of sudden unintended acceleration have caused them financial harm by reducing the resale values of their car, ABC said.

While the suit quotes from the documents, the attorneys told ABC News they did not attach the documents to the complaint because of concerns for the privacy of the plaintiffs.

One of the documents referenced in the complaint is a 2003 report from a Toyota technician of a sudden acceleration incident and said he found “a mis-synchronism between engine speed and throttle position movement.” According to ABC, the technician allegedly requested immediate action because of the “extremely dangerous problem” and said “we are also much afraid of frequency of this problem in near future.”

In another case from 2003, the lawsuit claims a field technical report stated that a Toyota technician verified, in the words of the complaint, a “surge event . . . even where the scan tool showed no trouble code.”

Another document, allegedly a Toyota dealership report, states that a Toyota dealer verified two separate sudden unintended acceleration incidents with a 2005 Toyota Sequoia, and identified the probable cause as a “software issue of the engine control unit.”

According to The New York Times, Toyota announced yesterday that its US subsidiaries had received subpoenas last month demanding documents about defects in steering relay rods in the company’s cars. It was not clear what defects, models or production years were under investigation, The Times said.

As we’ve reported previously, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is already investigating the 2005 recall, which involved defective steering rods. Toyota waited 11 months to issue a US recall, after it had already done so for trucks in Japan. The recall in Japan took place in October 2004; the US recall, involving 977,839 similar vehicles, took place September 2005. In 2004, Toyota told US regulators the problems were limited to vehicles in Japan.

Under US law, carmakers have five days to report safety problems to regulators.

Although it has not yet determined the timing, the NHTSA has reports of three deaths and seven injuries linked to the faulty steering rods on 4Runner SUVs and T100 and Hi Lux compact pickups, which involve 1989 to 1998 models.

The newly-revealed grand jury investigation is just the latest headache for Toyota this year. Since last November, Toyota has recalled about 8.5 million vehicles worldwide to resolve the floor-mat interference and sticking pedal problems that may lead to incidents of unintended acceleration. Some vehicles are subject to both recalls. Complaints to the NHTSA attribute 93 deaths to sudden acceleration of a Toyota vehicle.

Earlier this year, Toyota agreed to pay a record $16.375 million fine levied by the NHTSA for concealing information related to a January recall of 2.3 million vehicles for sticky accelerator pedals. The company also faces more than 200 lawsuits resulting from the sticky accelerator and floor mat recalls.

According to The New York Times, Toyota had already received two other subpoenas this year, one from a grand jury in February for documents related to sudden acceleration and braking and one from the Michigan attorney general in March for information on recalls.

Drop-side cribs became popular because they allow caregivers to easily access the beds. Unfortunately, poor design, poorly written assembly directions, or broken pieces can all cause the side rail to fall unexpectedly, or separate from the rest of the bed, creating an entrapment hazard, which can lead to strangulation or suffocation.

Nine million drop-side cribs have been recalled over the past five years because of such risks. In May, the CPSC warned parents to stop using such cribs.

The new rules, which would ban the sale of new and used drop-side cribs and prohibit their use in hotels, day- care centers and other commercial facilities, were approved by the CPSC in 5-0 vote yesterday. The approval of new mandatory standards marks the agency’s first overhaul of regulations for infant beds in almost three decades.

A statement from the CPSC said its staff is working to finalize the proposed mandatory crib standards in 2010.

The Pottery Barn Kids recall issued yesterday involved 82,000 drop-side cribs sold through the Pottery Barn Kids catalog, www.potterybarnkids.com , and at Pottery Barn Kids retail stores nationwide from January 1999 through March 2010 for between $300 and $600.

The CPSC and Pottery Barn Kids have received 36 reports of drop sides that have malfunctioned or detached, resulting in seven minor injuries when children fell out of the cribs or got their legs caught between the mattress and the drop side. One child became entrapped at the head between the drop side and crib mattress but was freed without injury.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs, inspect the hardware to make sure it is not broken, and contact Pottery Barn Kids to receive a free fixed-gate conversion kit that will immobilize the drop side. For additional information, contact Pottery Barn Kids at (877) 804-3847 between 7 a.m. and midnight 7 days a week or visit the firm’s website at www.potterybarnkids.com.

Toyota is issuing yet another worldwide recall, this time for 270,000 Lexus and Crown models. According to the automaker, flawed engine components in the recalled vehicles could make them stall while in motion.

According to an Associated Press report, the recall involves 138,000 vehicles in the U.S., 91,903 in Japan, 15,000 in Europe, 10,000 in the Middle East, 6,000 in China, 4,000 in Canada, 3,704 in South Korea and 8,000 elsewhere. The vehicles, produced between July 2005 and August 2008, include Lexus models GS350, GS450h, GS460, IS350, LS460, LS600h, LS600hL and Crown models. Vehicles from the 2009 and 2010 model years are not affected.

Toyota said the engine problem resulted from a foreign substance being introduced during manufacturing of the valve springs. It is replacing the valve spring in the recalled vehicles.

Toyota has received about 200 complaints involving the engine problem, but there have been no reports of accidents, the Associated Press said.

According to a Bloomberg report, Toyota received complaints more than three years ago about engine problems. A Toyota spokesperson told Bloomberg that it decided to address the problem in August 2008 by altering the design of the valve spring and making it thicker. However the company didn’t feel that a recall was necessary given the rarity of the problem at the time.

This has been the year of the recall for Toyota, which has seen its reputation for quality suffer amid numerous safety problems. Since last fall it has recalled more than 9 million cars worldwide because of faulty floor mats, sticking accelerator pedals, brake issues and other problems..

Earlier this year, Toyota agreed to pay a record $16.375 million fine levied by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for concealing information related to a January recall of 2.3 million vehicles for sticky accelerator pedals.

The company also faces more than 200 lawsuits resulting from the sticky accelerator and floor mat recalls.

According to the recall notice, the battery cell can short-circuit and overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers. Tekkeon has received one report of an overheating battery that resulted in minor damage to nearby furnishings. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves the myPower ALL Plus External Laptop Battery , a universal rechargeable battery used to power laptop computers, MP3 players, mobile phones, DVD players and other portable devices. It is black with “Tekkeon” printed on the front. The model number, MP3750, is printed on a label on the back.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled batteries and contact Tekkeon for a free replacement battery. The company is contacting all known purchasers.

For more information, contact Tekkeon toll-free at (888) 787-5888, or visit the firm’s website at http://www.tekkeon.com/recall.

Nine million drop-side cribs have been recalled over the past five years and CPSC staff has determined drop-side cribs generally have a tendency to be less structurally sound than cribs with four fixed sides.

According to the CPSC, the industry launched the new initiative to secure drop sides on these cribs with free immobilization devices. The recalls are meant to address drop-side hazards and other hazards. The recalling firms are providing consumers with free repair kits. Do not attempt to fix these cribs with homemade remedies.

The drop-side and fixed-side crib recalls announced today are of units manufactured between 2000 and 2009 by the companies listed below said the CPSC and The Associated Press (AP). Consumers should contact these firms directly for the appropriate remedy.

• Child Craft, (this firm is out of business): 40,000-50,000 stationary-side cribs and an unknown number of drop-sides. Child Craft ceased operations last summer and sold its name to Foundations Worldwide Inc., which did not manufacture or sell any of the recalled cribs but will offer rebates for some of them.

• Delta Enterprise Corp. of New York, New York: 747,000 drop-side cribs; however, the firm urges consumers to check all cribs and CPSC spokesman Scott Wolfson said Delta “was not cooperative with providing the full number of units involved in the mattress support assembly problem,” quoted the AP.

• Evenflo of Miamisburg, Ohio: 750,000 Jenny Lind drop-side cribs.

• Jardine Enterprises of Taipei, Taiwan:130,000 drop-side cribs imported by Toys R Us.

• LaJobi of Cranbury, New Jersey: 306,000 Bonavita, Babi Italia and ISSI drop-side cribs.

• Million Dollar Baby of Montebello, California: 156,000 drop-side cribs.

• Simmons Juvenile Products Inc. (SJP) of New London, Wisconsin: 50,000 drop-side cribs.

More detailed information on these recalls and recall information can be accessed at:

• On the CPSC Website at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10270.html and http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10225.html

• The CPSC’s Crib Information Center site at http://www.cpsc.gov/info/cribs/index.html for more information on these issues

• For concerns regarding recalled bassinets, the CPSC has a dedicated site at: http://www.cpsc.gov/cgi-bin/bassinets.aspx

The firms involved in today’s recalls are providing immobilization devices or other remedies as part of Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) crib safety initiative. JPMA’s website, www.cribsafety.org has a list of participating manufacturers and other important information.

The immobilization devices, which will be available in the next few weeks, should be attached to keep the drop side from detaching from the cribs. Immobilization devices are not a solution for cribs with broken or damaged drop-side hardware. If your drop-side hardware is broken, contact the manufacturer for an alternative remedy.

Drop-side crib incidents can also occur due to incorrect assembly or age-related wear and tear. Age is a factor in the safety of any crib. At a minimum, CPSC staff recommends that you not use a crib that is older than 10 years. Many older cribs do not meet current voluntary standards and can have numerous safety problems.

The AP noted that while no deaths were linked to the cribs involved in these latest recalls, at least 16 reports were received regarding infant entrapment with one child found unconscious and requiring hospitalization. Also, said the AP, drop-sides have been implicated in at least 32 infants and toddler deaths since 2000, with cribs suspected in another 14 infant deaths.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (Democrat-New York) has introduced legislation in Congress to outlaw the sale and manufacture of drop-side cribs, said the AP, noting that another bill was introduced in the House by Representative Joe Crowley (Democrat-New York).

According to the Associated Press, it had informed Wal-Mart that 3 Miley Cyrus products, as well as 10 bracelet charms from another line, contained cadmium in February, after commissioning tests for its own investigation. Wal-Mart had continued selling the toxic jewelry, saying it would be too difficult to test products already on its shelves.

Cadmium is a known carcinogen, and can interfere with brain development in very young children. Long-term exposure to cadmium can lead to bone softening and kidney failure. On the Centers for Disease Control’s priority list of 275 most hazardous substances in the environment, cadmium ranks No. 7. Kids can ingest the cadmium in jewelry by sucking or biting it.

In January, the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) warned consumers to throw away any cheap, Chinese-made children’s jewelry they might have because of the risk it could contain cadmium at hazardous levels

Last month, the Associated Press sent reporters to Wal-Mart stores in 8 states to see if any of the 3 Miley Cyrus trinkets or 10 charms were still being sold. All but one of the products were found, and reporters purchased a total of 61 pieces. The Associated Press did note that the items were marked “not intended for children under 14 years.”

The Associated Press commissioned new tests on the items, which revealed that 59 pieces contained at least 5 percent cadmium by weight, with 53 of those measuring 10 percent or higher.
Wal-Mart announced it would pull the Miley Cyrus pieces this morning, a day after the Associated Press reported the results of its investigation. Wal-Mart said in a statement that while the jewelry is not intended for children, “it is possible that a few younger consumers may seek it out in stores.”

According to the Associated Press, the company’s policy of not checking products already on the shelves appears to have changed: In its statement, Wal-Mart said it reviewed children’s jewelry and pulled “the few products that did not” comply with its new testing regimen.

The Wal-Mart statement did not say whether it would also remove the bracelet charms.

In the last five years, the CPSC has announced 11 recalls involving more than 7 million drop-side cribs due to suffocation and strangulation hazards created by the drop side. In a statement, the agency also said staff is actively investigating several other crib manufacturers for potential drop-side hazards as part of a larger effort to rid the marketplace and homes of unsafe cribs. The CPSC said it will continue to take aggressive action to address any risks and will keep the public informed.

The agency also said it is working on implementing new and vastly improved mandatory federal standard for cribs this year. The standard will incorporate, at minimum, the new voluntary industry standard banning drop-side cribs from the U.S. market. Due to the new voluntary industry standard, many manufacturers have already stopped selling drop-side cribs or will do so beginning June 1, 2010.

Of the 32 deaths that were analyzed by CPSC staff, some occurred in cribs where the drop side detached without caregivers noticing the detachment, while some other deaths occurred after a consumer tried to repair the detached drop side, but the repair ultimately failed. In other incidents, consumers unknowingly installed the drop side or drop-side hardware incorrectly. In several cases, this occurred due to incorrect or confusing directions. In these incidents, the drop side still appeared to function as intended, but the stress on the crib hardware resulted in the drop-side detachment.

In addition to the 32 deaths the CPSC staff associated with the drop-side detachments, the agency said there have an additional 14 reports of infant fatalities due to entrapment in cribs that could be related to a drop side. The information obtained was insufficient for staff to conclusively determine whether or not the drop side was involved.

According to the CPSC warning, its technical staff has determined drop-side cribs generally have a tendency to be less structurally sound than cribs with four fixed sides. Drop-side hardware is prone to break, deform or experience other problems during normal or foreseeable use. The older the crib, the more problems can be expected. When drop-side hardware breaks or deforms, the drop side can detach in one or more corners from the crib. If an infant or toddler rolls or moves into the space created by a partially detached drop side, the child can become entrapped or wedged between the crib mattress and the drop side and suffocate. Infants can also strangle in the “V” shape formed by a drop side that detaches in an upper corner.

While the CPSC could not say that every drop-side crib is hazardous, based on investigations of incidents the agency’s received, it believes that overall most drop-side cribs are more prone to mechanical failure than similar designed fixed-side cribs. In addition, older cribs may not meet current voluntary standards. Factors that contribute to safety problems in older cribs include:

• The longer a crib is used, the more wear and tear on hardware and joints, allowing screws to loosen and fall out and plastic parts to flex and break.

• Repeated assembly and disassembly increases likelihood that crib parts can be damaged or lost.

• Wood warps and shrinks over time and glue can become brittle. This can lead to joint and slat failures.

The CPSC is reminding parents not to use any crib with missing, broken, or loose parts. Make sure to tighten hardware from time to time to keep the crib sturdy. When using a drop-side crib, parents should check to make sure the drop side or any other moving part operates smoothly. Always check all sides and corners of the crib for disengagement. Disengagements can create a gap and entrap a child. In addition, do not try to repair any side of the crib. Babies have died in cribs where repairs were attempted by caregivers, the CPSC said.

Last Tuesday, Consumer Reports said  its tests determined that the GX 460 SUV was prone to slide when driven in sweeping turns. According to the report, this could cause rollover accidents resulting in serious injury or death. The publication advised consumers not to buy the Lexus GX 460.

Hours after news of the Consumer Reports rating broke, Toyota announced it was suspending sales of the Lexus GX 460. Yesterday, the automaker said it was able to confirm the stability control issue raised by Consumer Reports.

According to Toyota, a software update for the GX 460 SUV will be available from Lexus dealers by the end of the month. The repair should take about an hour. Loaner cars are available for owners of Lexus GX 460 SUVs who don’t want to drive their vehicle while they wait for the fix.

The recall also includes the Land Cruiser Prado, which is sold overseas. A total of 34,000 vehicles are being recalled worldwide, 9,400 of which are in the U.S.

The recall could not come at a worse time for Toyota. Since last fall it has recalled more than 9 million cars worldwide because of faulty floor mats, sticking accelerator pedals, brake issues and other problems. Yesterday, the company also  agreed to pay a record $16.375 million fine levied by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for concealing information related to a January recall of 2.3 million vehicles for sticky accelerator pedals. In a statement, Toyota said it disagreed with the fine, but decided to pay it to avoid litigation with the government.

Automakers are required to inform U.S. safety regulators within five days if they determine a safety defect exists. However, according to an April 5 letter from the NHTSA to Toyota, documents obtained from Toyota show that the company knew of the sticky pedal defect since at least September 29, 2009.

The $16.375 million fine was the largest ever levied against an automaker by the U.S. government.

Automakers are legally obligated to tell U.S. safety regulators within five days if they determine a safety defect exists. However, according to an April 5 letter from the NHTSA to Toyota, documents obtained from Toyota show that the company knew of the sticky pedal defect since at least September 29, 2009.  It wasn't until January 2010 that the automaker recalled more than 2 million vehicles because the pedals could potentially stick, causing sudden, unexpected and dangerous acceleration.

“We now have proof that Toyota failed to live up to its legal obligations,” Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement announcing the record fine. “Worse yet, they knowingly hid a dangerous defect for months from U.S. officials and did not take action to protect millions of drivers and their families. For those reasons, we are seeking the maximum penalty possible under current laws.”

Toyota has until today to contest the NHTSA fine. However, an anonymous source with the agency told the Associated Press that the automaker is expected to pay the full amount of the assessed fine within 30 days as a means of avoiding going to court against the government. While the source said Toyota is not expected to explicitly accept liability, it would be the government’s viewpoint that an agreement to pay the full fine “constituted acceptance of responsibility for hiding the safety defect in violation of the law.”

Since last fall, Toyota has recalled more than 8 million vehicles worldwide for problems involving sudden acceleration. Toyota has blamed the speed control issues on defective floor mats and faulty gas pedals. In the U.S., five deaths have occurred in auto accidents involving the unintended acceleration of a Toyota or Lexus vehicle. Last August, a California Highway Patrol trooper and three members of his family were killed in such a crash in San Diego County, just south of Orange. Dozens of other fatalities over the past decade alleged to be the result of Toyota unintended acceleration crashes are currently being investigated by the NHTSA.

According to The Los Angeles  Times, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is looking at the timeliness of Toyota’s recalls. “The automaker has submitted more than 70,000 pages of documents, which NHTSA officials are continuing to review,” agency spokeswoman Julia said in a statement. “Based on the evidence, we will continue to hold Toyota accountable for violations we find in our ongoing investigation.”

Earlier this month, the NHTSA announced it was seeking the maximum penalty allowed by law – $16.375 million – from Toyota for the way it handled a January accelerator pedal recall. The agency is also said to be considering other fines related to Toyota’s September floor mat recall.

According the Times, Toyota informed the NHTSA on December 16 that it had recalled the Venza in Canada that month because its all-weather floor mats “could move forward during the vehicle usage” and “may interfere with the accelerator pedal.” Toyota said it was not issuing a Venza recall in the U.S. because the floor mats in question were not imported to the U.S. On January 27, 2009, Toyota reversed course and added the Venza to its ongoing recall in the U.S. for defective floor mats.

According to The Los Angeles Times, Toyota continues to maintain that the floor mat used in Canada is different than the one used in the U.S. The company decided to issue the U.S. recall when it determined that the U.S. floor mat could also become entrapped and interfere with the accelerator pedal.

But here is what's strange -  the remedies for correcting the problem in Canada and the U.S. were identical. The Times is also reporting that the Canadian mats were made by Remington Industries of Ooltewah, Tenn. So far, Toyota has not revealed where the U.S. mats were made.

According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, Toyota is now seeking to recreate the situations in which the GX 460 was examined by Consumer Reports to determine whether its SUVs have stability problems. Testing will include current models of Toyota’s Rav4, FJ Cruiser, Highlander, 4Runner, Sequoia, Land Cruiser and Sienna. It is not known how long the tests will take to complete.

Consumer Reports issued the rare “not acceptable” rating Tuesday, after its tests determined that the GX 460 SUV was prone to slide when driven in sweeping turns. According to the report, this could cause rollover accidents resulting in serious injury or death. Ideally, the vehicle’s electronic stability control system would stop such a slide. The publication advised consumers not to buy the Lexus GX 460.

The “not acceptable” rating is extremely rare. In fact, the last time Consumer Reports concluded that a vehicle was “not acceptable” for consumers to buy was in 2001.

Hours after Consumer Reports published its rating, Toyota announced it was suspending sales of the GX 460 in the U.S. and Canada. The utomaker has since suspended sales of the vehicle in markets elsewhere in the world.

While the automaker has not decided if it will issue a recall for the SUV, it is offering current owners use of loaner cars while it tries to figure out why it failed Consumer Reports’ handling test.

The Lexus SUV problems couldn’t come at a worse time for Toyota, which is still reeling from recalls it’s issued because of problems with unintended acceleration. Since last fall, Toyota has recalled more than 8 million vehicles worldwide for problems involving sudden acceleration. Toyota has blamed the speed control issues on defective floor mats and faulty gas pedals. In the U.S., five deaths have occurred in auto accidents involving the unintended acceleration of a Toyota or Lexus vehicle. Last August, a California Highway Patrol trooper and three members of his family were killed in such a crash in San Diego County, just south of Orange. Dozens of other fatalities over the past decade alleged to be the result of Toyota unintended acceleration crashes are currently being investigated.

Earlier this month, the NHTSA announced it was seeking the maximum penalty allowed by law – $16.375 million – from Toyota for the way it handled a January accelerator pedal recall. The agency is also said to be considering other fines related to Toyota’s September floor mat recall.

In a statement late Tuesday, Toyota said engineering teams were testing the GX 460 using Consumer Reports’ methodology. “We are taking the situation with the GX 460 very seriously and are determined to identify and correct the issue Consumer Reports identified,” said Mark Templin, Lexus Group vice president and general manager.

While the automaker did not issue a recall for the SUV, it is offering current owners use of loaner cars while it tries to figure out why it failed the Consumer Reports’ test.

Ideally, the SUV's electronic stability control would stop a slide like the one observed by Consumer Reports, allowing the vehicle to safely complete the turn.  But in the case of  the Lexus SUV, the maneuver caused  the rear end of the vehicle to slide toward the outside of the turn.  Consumer Reports' tests were conducted by four different drivers, and in each case, the back end of the vehicle slid out. No other SUV had slid as far as the Lexus GX 460 in its recent testing, Consumer Reports said.

“CR is urging consumers not to buy the GX 460 until the problem has been fixed,” the magazine said in a statement issued yesterday.

The “not acceptable” rating is extremely rare. In fact, the last time Consumer Reports concluded that a vehicle was “not acceptable” for consumers to buy was in 2001, when it warned consumers away from the Mitsubishi Montero Limited.

According to Reuters, Toyota has sold about 5,400 of the Lexus GX 460 SUVs in the four months since it has been on the market. The GX starts at just over $50,000.

Since last fall, Toyota has recalled more than 8 million vehicles worldwide for problems involving sudden acceleration. Toyota has blamed the speed control issues on defective floor mats and faulty gas pedals. In the U.S., five deaths have occurred in auto accidents involving the unintended acceleration of a Toyota or Lexus vehicle. Last August, a California Highway Patrol trooper and three members of his family were killed in such a crash in San Diego County, just south of Orange. Dozens of other fatalities over the past decade alleged to be the result of Toyota unintended acceleration crashes are currently being investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Earlier this month, the NHTSA announced it was seeking the maximum penalty allowed by law – $16.375 million – from Toyota for the way it handled a January accelerator pedal recall. At that time, the NHTSA said it had learned through documents obtained from Toyota that the company knew of the sticky pedal defect since at least September 29, 2009 – four months before it recalled the pedals in the U.S. That day, Toyota issued repair procedures to their distributors in 31 European countries and Canada to address complaints of sticky accelerator pedals, sudden increases in engine RPM, and sudden vehicle acceleration. The documents also show that Toyota was aware that consumers in the U.S. were experiencing the same problems, the statement said.

Yesterday, after the NHTSA briefed the House Energy and Commerce Committee on its investigation into Toyota, Klobuchar called the automaker’s failure to act in the U.S. when it notified European dealers of the accelerator pedal problems unacceptable.

“The safety of the American people should never be left to negotiation, and Toyota’s responsibility to its customers should be the same in Belgium as it would be in Bemidji,” Klobuchar said. “Toyota’s reported withholding of vital safety information is a glaring sign that NHTSA must be given more authority to ensure driver safety.”

Klobuchar promised to work with work with the Commerce Committee to develop legislation that will address gaps in highway safety oversight, including strengthening the penalty structure.

The NHTSA already announced last week that it would seek $16.375 million -the maximum penalty allowed by law – from Toyota for failing to promptly notify the government about the pedal issues. Automakers are legally obligated to tell U.S. safety regulators within five days if they determine a safety defect exists.

According to a Department of Transportation press release, the NHTSA learned through documents obtained from Toyota that the company knew of the sticky pedal defect since at least September 29, 2009. That day, Toyota issued repair procedures to their distributors in 31 European countries and Canada to address complaints of sticky accelerator pedals, sudden increases in engine RPM, and sudden vehicle acceleration. The documents also show that Toyota was aware that consumers in the U.S. were experiencing the same problems, the statement said.

The NHTSA told Toyota it was considering a additional  fines in the April 5 letter the agency sent the company notifying it of the initial $16.375 million penalty. According to The New York Times, the letter said documents submitted to the NHTSA by Toyota indicated there were two separate defects in recalled accelerator pedals. Two investigations into a November recall, involving floor mats that could trap the accelerator pedal, also could also result in fines, the Times said.

Earlier this week, the NHTSA announced that it would seek $16.375 million -the maximum penalty allowed by law – from Toyota for failing to promptly notify the government about the pedal issues. According to a Department of Transportation press release, the NHTSA learned through documents obtained from Toyota that the company knew of the sticky pedal defect since at least September 29, 2009. That day, Toyota issued repair procedures to their distributors in 31 European countries and Canada to address complaints of sticky accelerator pedals, sudden increases in engine RPM, and sudden vehicle acceleration. The documents also show that Toyota was aware that consumers in the U.S. were experiencing the same problems, the statement said.

Since last fall, Toyota has recalled more than 8 million vehicles worldwide for problems involving sudden acceleration. Toyota has blamed the speed control issues on defective floor mats and faulty gas pedals. In the U.S., five deaths have occurred in auto accidents involving the unintended acceleration of a Toyota or Lexus vehicle. Last August, a California Highway Patrol trooper and three members of his family were killed in such a crash in San Diego County, just south of Orange. At least 47 other fatalities over the past decade alleged to be the result of Toyota unintended acceleration crashes are currently being investigated by the NHTSA.

The documents detailed by the Associated Press show that Toyota learned of floor mat issues is February 2006, and about flaws in accelerator pedals five months later. The first report was from a model year 2005 Prius hybrid “regarding floor mat interference with an accelerator pedal,” according to the documents, which the carmaker sent to the safety agency.

According to The Associated Press, Toyota didn’t act on the first sticky pedal report because the “problem was not reproduced and no other similar” reports were received. Instead, the documents said “Toyota decided to monitor the situation in the field.”

Gund of Edison, New Jersey is recalling its Gund Baby Paperboard Books—about 15,100 in the United States and 865 in Canada—the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada (HC) just announced.

The Styrofoam used to fill the book binding can detach, posing a choking/aspiration hazard to infants and young children. To date, Gund has received three reports of children mouthing the Styrofoam that detached from the books. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves three miniature children's paperboard books with plastic handles designed as baby rattles, which include "Animals" (item number 059174), "Numbers" (item number 059175), and "Colors" (item number 059176). The books were also sold as a three-book set (item number 059173). The name "Gund" and the item number are located on the back of the books.

The books, which were manufactured in China, measure 4 1/2 inches by 7 inches, and were sold at gift and specialty stores nationwide from January 2009 through March 2010 for about $8 and $20 for the set. Of note, China is a country long associated with recalled children’s toys and products, consumer products, food, and medications, to name some.

The CPSC is advising consumers to immediately take the books away from young children and contact Gund for a free replacement product. Gund can be reached toll-free at 1-800-436-3726 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday, or at the firm's Web site at www.gund.com

Auto manufacturers are legally obligated to notify the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) within five business days if they determine that a safety defect exists.

According to a Department of Transportation press release, the NHTSA learned through documents obtained from Toyota that the company knew of the sticky pedal defect since at least September 29, 2009. That day, Toyota issued repair procedures to their distributors in 31 European countries and Canada to address complaints of sticky accelerator pedals, sudden increases in engine RPM, and sudden vehicle acceleration. The documents also show that Toyota was aware that consumers in the U.S. were experiencing the same problems, the statement said.

“We now have proof that Toyota failed to live up to its legal obligations,” LaHood said. “Worse yet, they knowingly hid a dangerous defect for months from U.S. officials and did not take action to protect millions of drivers and their families. For those reasons, we are seeking the maximum penalty possible under current laws.”

Since last fall, Toyota has recalled more than 8 million vehicles worldwide for problems involving sudden acceleration. Toyota and the NHTSA have blamed the speed control issues on defective floor mats and faulty gas pedals. In the U.S., five deaths have occurred in auto accidents involving the unintended acceleration of a Toyota or Lexus vehicle. Last August, a California Highway Patrol trooper and three members of his family were killed in such a crash in San Diego County, just south of Orange. At least 47 other fatalities over the past decade alleged to be the result of Toyota unintended acceleration crashes are currently being investigated by the NHTSA.

The fine would be the largest civil penalty ever issued to an automaker by the government.  Toyota has two weeks to either contest or accept the fine.

The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning parents to immediately stop using these recalled cribs and find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby. The agency also said that consumers should NOT attempt to repair these dangerous drop side cribs.

Because Generation 2 went out of business in 2005, the CPSC has limited information about the cribs. It is believed that there were more than 500,000 of these cribs sold to consumers. Some of the known model numbers are: 10-110X, 10-210X, 21-110X, 20-710X, 64-315X, 26-110X, 90-257X, 20-810X, 46-715X, 64-311X, 74-315X, 21-815X, 21-810X, 20815X, 308154 and 54915. (The “X” denotes where an additional and varying number may appear at the end of the model number.) However, all Generation 2 Worldwide and “ChildESIGNS” drop side cribs – both full size and portable – are included in this recall, including those with other model numbers.

The name “Generation 2 Worldwide” appears on a label affixed to the crib’s headboard or footboard. Some labels identify the place of manufacture as Dothan, Ala. Others identify China as the country of manufacture. The name “ChildESIGNS” appears on the teething rail of some of the cribs.

The recalled cribs were sold at numerous local furniture and retail stores including Buy Buy Baby, and Kmart and Walmart stores nationwide for between $60 and $160. Consumers should contact the store from which they purchased the crib for remedy information, which will vary between a refund, replacement crib or store credit, depending on the retailer.

Consumers are urged to contact the CPSC and report any difficulties in obtaining a remedy from their place of purchase.

Since 2002, these cribs have been implicated in the deaths of three children. In addition to the three deaths, the CPSC has also received reports of 20 other drop side incidents, 12 of which involved the drop side detaching in a corner of the crib. In two of these incidents, a child became entrapped. One child suffered bruising from the entrapment. There are five reports of children falling out of the cribs due to drop side detachment. One child suffered a broken arm as a result of the fall.

In addition, the CPSC has received 8 reports of mattress support detachment in these cribs. Due to the space created by the detachment, three children became entrapped between the crib frame and the sagging mattress and four children crawled out of the crib. There was one report of cuts and bruises.

Nursery product recalls made history last year and for the first time, children’s clothing recalls also reached an unexpected high, due in part to strangulation hazards present in clothing with drawstrings.

Recalls in 2009 totaled an unbelievable 21.1 million units, of which, six recalls involved one million units or more. “These products together caused at least 198 injuries and 9 deaths,” stated Nancy Cowles, executive director if Kids In Danger. “And those incidents include only those already reported at the time of the recall.  More needs to be done to protect children from these hazards,” Cowles added.

The report also stated that:

• Nursery products and clothing surpassed toys with the most recalls, representing 28 and 27 percent of children’s product recalls, respectively; products were recalled mainly due to entrapment, fall, and choking hazards, while clothing was recalled for strangulation hazards with drawstrings and choking hazards from small detachable parts.
• The largest recall was for four million Aqua-Leisure inflatable baby floats with leg straps that can tear, causing a baby to fall into the water and risk drowning. Stork Craft’s Drop-Side Crib recall due to entrapment and fall hazards involved 2.1 million units.
• Fifteen manufacturers had multiple product recalls in 2009.  Dorel Juvenile Group and Evenflo Co. Inc. had five separate product recalls each.
• Two recalls, Wooden Play Sets by Adventure Playsets and Rainforest Play Yards by Simplicity Inc., received over 1,000 incident reports prior to recall.  Evenflo’s Envision High Chairs were responsible for 54 injuries before recall.
• Twenty sleep environment products were recalled in 2009, totaling over 4.7 million units, nearly 2,000 reported incidents, and 75 injuries and deaths.
• Seven of the nine deaths occurred in sleep environment products, with five deaths in drop-side cribs and two in baby hammocks.  A ban on the drop-side crib design being considered.
• The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) imposed fines on 34 companies that violated safety regulations for children’s products, totaling over $30.7 million in fines. Most penalties were due to violations for drawstrings in clothing and excessive lead paint in toys.

KID recommends that CPSC should continue developing the public database required by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) to provide consumers with more information about potential hazards; Congress should require annual reports on recalls and their effectiveness; and CPSC should require more aggressive outreach by companies following a recall, requiring a replacement product or refund, especially in sleep environment recalls.

“For too long, consumers have been at the mercy of industry driven standards for nursery products and the result are the recalls you see here today,” said Cowles.  “Once again, KID’s recall report shows that too many children are still being harmed by dangerous products,” said Schakowsky. “This Kids In Danger report highlights the need for all of us to continue our work at the state and federal level to protect children from dangerous products,” said Madigan.

Officials with the NHTSA said nine NASA scientists would bring expertise in electronics, eletromagnetic interference, software integrity and complex problem solving to the Toyota review. The agency expects the review to be completed by late summer, Reuters said. After that, the agency would then determine whether a formal investigation of Toyota throttles is warranted. If that happens, a recall could ultimately be issued.

The NHTSA has worked with NASA in the past on studies of electronic stability control and airbags.

Since last fall, Toyota has recalled more than 8 million vehicles worldwide for problems involving sudden acceleration. In the U.S., five deaths have occurred in auto accidents involving the unintended acceleration of a Toyota or Lexus vehicle. Last August, a California Highway Patrol trooper and three members of his family were killed in such a crash in San Diego County, just south of Orange. At least 47 other fatalities over the past decade alleged to be the result of Toyota unintended acceleration crashes are currently being investigated by the NHTSA.

Toyota and the NHTSA have blamed the speed control issues on defective floor mats and faulty accelerator pedals, but some experts suspect that problems with the vehicles’ electronic throttle control system could really be behind the problems. Such suspicions have increased recently, as dozens of Toyota owners whose vehicles underwent recall repairs have recently complained that their vehicles are still experiencing problems with unintended acceleration.

That recall involves Infantino “SlingRider” and “Wendy Bellissimo” infant slings. One million of these infant slings are being recalled in the United States and 15,000 are being recalled in Canada. The Infantino “SlingRider,” is a soft fabric baby carrier with a padded shoulder strap that is worn by parents and caregivers to carry an infant weighing up to 20 lbs. “Infantino” is printed on the plastic slider located on the strap. “Infantino,” “SlingRider” and the item number are printed on the instruction/warning label inside the baby sling carrier. “Wendy Bellissimo” branded sling carriers were sold exclusively at Babies “R” Us and have a sewn-in label on the inside of the sling strap that says in part “Wendy Bellissimo Media, Inc.” and lists Item numbers 3937500H7 and 3937501H7.

The CPSC is strongly advising that consumers not attempt to fix the recalled Infantino baby slings. To arrange for a free replacement, consumers can contact Infantino toll-free at (866) 860-1361 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.infantino.com

Some consumer advocates think parents should pass on baby slings. Alan Korn, executive director and general counsel of Safe Kids USA, recently told the Christian Science Monitor that any sling that puts an infant in a curved, chin-on-chest position is not safe. New born infants lack the strength to turn their head if their nose and mouth become covered by the sling or pressed against the carrier. Moreover, children’s airflow could be restricted if they are put in the sling in such a position that their chin rests on their chest, the Christian Science Monitor said.

Korn recommended parents and caregivers opt instead for a carrier that keeps the child upright, strapped either to the front or back of the adult.

For its part, the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) says baby slings can be used safely. However, there are no safety standards for infant sling carriers. Earlier this the CPSC has determined that a mandatory standard is needed for such slings. While a mandatory standard is being developed, the commission said it is working with ASTM International and concerned companies, such as Infantino, to quickly develop an effective voluntary standard for slings.

The 2002 Toyota memo was reported by CNN, which obtained it from group of attorneys seeking to file a nationwide class-action lawsuit against the automaker. The technical service bulletin went to every U.S. Toyota dealership in late August 2002 following complaints from owners of 2002 Camrys.

“Some 2002 model year Camry vehicles may exhibit a surging during light throttle input at speeds between 38-42 mph,” the bulletin states. “The Engine Control Module (ECM) calibration has been revised to correct this condition.”

Since last fall, Toyota has recalled more than 8 million vehicles worldwide for problems involving sudden acceleration. Toyota has blamed the speed control issues on defective floor mats and faulty accelerator pedals. Since recalls began this fall, some Toyota critics have voiced suspicions that problems with the vehicles’ electronic throttle control system could really be behind the speed control issues. For its part, Toyota has insisted that independent testing failed to find such problems.

But Clarence Ditlow, the head of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, told CNN that the 2002 bulletin shows that Toyota knew much earlier about an electronic connection to sudden acceleration problems.

According to a recall notice on the  U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) The Infantino “SlingRider,” is a soft fabric baby carrier with a padded shoulder strap that is worn by parents and caregivers to carry an infant weighing up to 20 pounds. “Infantino” is printed on the plastic slider located on the strap. “Infantino,” “SlingRider,” and the item number are printed on the instruction/warning label inside the baby sling carrier. “Wendy Bellissimo”-branded sling carriers were sold exclusively at Babies “R” Us and have a sewn-in label on the inside of the sling strap that says, in part, "Wendy Bellissimo Media, Inc.," and lists Item numbers 3937500H7 and 3937501H7.

Infantino LLC sold the slings in the United States and Canada from January 2003 through March 2010 at Walmart, Burlington Coat Factory, Target, Babies “R” Us, BJ’s Wholesale, various baby and children’s stores, and other retailers nationwide, and on the Web at Amazon.com, for between $25 and $30.

The CPSC is very strongly advising consumers: Do not attempt to fix these carriers. The agency is aware of three reports of deaths that occurred in these slings in 2009; a seven-week-old infant in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; a six-day-old infant in Salem, Oregon; and a three-month-old infant in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The CPSC is advising consumers to immediately stop using these slings for infants younger than four months of age due to a risk of suffocation and is also advising consumers to contact Infantino for a free replacement product.<!--more-->

Consumers should stop using the recalled slings immediately and contact Infantino to receive a free replacement product, with a choice of a Wrap & Tie infant carrier, or a 2-in-1 Shopping Cart Cover, or a 3-in-1 Grow & Play Activity Gym. A Jittery Pals Rattle will also be provided. Contact Infantino toll-free at (866) 860-1361 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Pacific Time, Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.infantino.com

According to the Post, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), opened the floor mat inquiry in March 2007 after five complaints concerning Toyota’s 2007 Lexus ES350. Three involved crashes. That summer, the agency broadened its probe to include the 2007 Camry after one of those vehicles had gone speeding out of control in San Jose, killing the driver of another vehicle. According to the Post, a floor mat had appeared to be involved in that crash. At the same time, insurance statistics and consumer complaints were also showing a rise in unintended-acceleration events in Toyotas, something the NHTSA had been investigating on and off for several years.

According to an internal NHTSA memo, agency investigators eventually came to “believe that something about the throttle pedal or floorpan design lends itself to easier jamming than other models produced in the past.” According to the Post, they also believed the problem could also affect the Prius, Camry and Avalon, and could occur when either Toyota-made or after-market floor mats were present in a vehicle.

According to the Post, Toyota had a “game plan” for handling the inquiry and ignored the NHTSA’s findings. The automaker insisted that there was no danger if consumers correctly installed the proper Toyota floor mats; therefore, there were no defects and no grounds for a recall. In the end, the automaker would agree to recall only one kind of floor mat, affecting fewer than 55,000 cars, the Post said.

Two years later, in a presentation for Yoshimi Inaba, president of Toyota North America, the limited recall would be characterized as a “win” for the automaker. According to the Post, the presentation included the boast that by holding off a findings of a defect, Toyota had saved $100 million.

It wasn’t until this past fall, after the highly publicized death of a California Highway Patrolman and several members of his family that Toyota finally acknowledge accelerator pedals in floor pans in 12 different models would need to be fixed to prevent the floor mats from entrapping the accelerator. By then, a total of 20 more deaths had been attributed to unintended acceleration.

Obviously, this is the last thing Toyota needs.  Since last fall, Toyota has recalled more than 8 million vehicles worldwide for problems involving sudden acceleration. Toyota has blamed the speed control issues on defective floor mats and faulty accelerator pedals, but some experts suspect that problems with the vehicles’ electronic throttle control system could really be behind the problems. Such suspicions have increased recently, as dozens of Toyota owners whose vehicles underwent recall repairs have recently complained that their vehicles are still experiencing problems with unintended acceleration.

Apparently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been investigating stalling problems with 2006 Corolla and Matrix models since last November. According to the Free Press, at that time the agency had received 26 reports of engine stalls. In some, owners reported that stalls happened without warning and in some cases the engine was hard to restart or kept stalling. None of those reports were linked to any injuries or crashes.

By the beginning of March, the NHTSA had received a total of 76 such reports. According to the Free Press, one of these incidents involved a fire, and some of the stalls occurred while vehicles were going through intersections or merging onto highways.

According to Toyota, the stalling problem affects 2005 through 2007 model year Corolla and Matrix vehicles. The automaker blamed the problem on physical faults in the production of the vehicles’ engine control units, caused by mistakes at two suppliers. In a letter to the NHTSA, Toyota said it “does not believe that the alleged defect creates an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety.”  According to the Free Press, if the NHTSA agrees with Toyota that the stalling problem doesn’t pose a safety risk, Toyota would be free to take any number of steps to correct it, short of an official recall.

As we’ve reported previously, Toyota is facing multiple investigations in the U.S. over its handling of the recalls. In addition to investigations currently being conducted in the U.S. Congress and by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Toyota has also been served with subpoenas by a federal grand jury in New York and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Last week, the Orange County, California District Attorneys office announced it would be filing a lawsuit against Toyota, and the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office has also opened an investigation that could lead to a lawsuit.

According to The Globe and Mail, at a hearing in Ottawa yesterday, Members of Parliament (MPs) questioned a three-month delay between the time that Toyota Canada first learned of sticky accelerator problems and when it notified consumers and federal safety officials. Canadian law requires companies to alert federal officials immediately when they discover a safety defect. MPs accused the company of playing down concerns about unintended acceleration to avoid issuing recalls, The Globe and Mail said.

Following yesterday’s hearing in Ottawa, Canadian Transportation Minister John Baird said transport officials are investigating whether Toyota Canada Inc. provided proper notification of safety problems around its sticky accelerator pedal. According to The Globe and Mail, only a month ago Baird’s office had said the government had no plans at that point to probe the timeliness of the recalls.

Since last fall, Toyota has recalled more than 8 million vehicles worldwide for problems involving sudden acceleration. Toyota has blamed the speed control issues on defective floor mats and faulty accelerator pedals, but some experts suspect that problems with the vehicles’ electronic throttle control system could really be behind the problems. Such suspicions have increased recently, as dozens of Toyota owners whose vehicles underwent recall repairs have recently complained that their vehicles are still experiencing problems with unintended acceleration.

Toyota has already been named 89 class action lawsuits filed on behalf of Toyota vehicle owners. The company also face the specter of criminal charges. As we reported previously, the automaker was served with a subpoena last month by a New York grand jury looking into sudden acceleration problems, as well as problems with brakes on Prius and Lexus hybrids. If it is found that Toyota intentionally misled federal regulators about safety defects, the company and its executives could be charged criminally under the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation (TREAD) Act.

The Orange County Toyota lawsuit was announced this morning by District Attorney Tony Rackauckas’ office. The lawsuit will name Toyota Motor Sales USA as a defendant, and will seek “to enjoin them from continuing to endanger the public through the sale of defective vehicles and deceptive business practices.”

Since last fall, Toyota has recalled more than 8 million vehicles worldwide for problems involving sudden acceleration. Toyota has blamed the speed control issues on defective floor mats and faulty accelerator pedals, but some experts suspect that problems with the vehicles’ electronic throttle control system could really be behind the problems. Such suspicions have increased recently, as dozens of Toyota owners whose vehicles underwent recall repairs have recently complained that their vehicles are still experiencing problems with unintended acceleration.

As we’ve reported previously, five deaths in the U.S. have occurred in auto accidents involving the unintended acceleration of a Toyota or Lexus vehicle. Last August, a California Highway Patrol trooper and three members of his family were killed in such a crash in San Diego County, just south of Orange. At least 47 other fatalities over the past decade alleged to be the result of Toyota unintended acceleration crashes are currently being investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Since last fall, Toyota has recalled more than 8 million vehicles worldwide for problems involving sudden acceleration. Toyota has blamed the speed control issues on defective floor mats and faulty accelerator pedals, but some experts suspect that problems with the vehicles’ electronic throttle control system could really be behind the problems. Such suspicions have increased recently, as dozens of Toyota owners whose vehicles underwent recall repairs have recently complained that their vehicles are still experiencing problems with unintended acceleration.

As we’ve reported previously, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating the timeliness of the recent Toyota recalls, and the company could face civil penalties if the agency finds something was askew. But according to USA Today, the automaker was also served with a subpoena last month by a New York grand jury looking into sudden acceleration problems, as well as problems with brakes on Prius and Lexus hybrids. The grand jury investigation is a signal that a criminal probe is underway, USA Today said.

According to USA Today, a federal law adopted in 2000 called the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation (TREAD) Act, criminal charges are possible.  According to USA Today, TREAD was enacted in response to rollover recalls involving Ford Explorers and Firestone tires. It makes individuals who intentionally mislead federal regulators about safety defects subject to possible criminal fines and even prison.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the six workers had watched the company take what they believed were dangerous safety and manpower shortcuts to lower costs and boost production. In  a 2006 memo, they pointed out that Toyota had recalled more than 5 million cars — 36 percent of all sold vehicles, a rate higher than other companies. Their memo warned that failure to act could “become a great problem that involves the company’s survival.”  They detailed these concerns even though they were worried doing so could cost them their jobs.

They presented their memo to Toyota management, but never received a response, the Times said.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, one of the workers involved with the 2006 memo outlined his concerns. Tadao Wakatsuki, 62, a veteran assembly line worker who formed the All Toyota Labor Union, said that outsourcing key design work and shortening the trial-and-error period for new cars were particularly worrisome.

Warnings came from others as well. Japanese automobile consumer advocate Fumio Matsuda told the Los Angeles Times that Toyota’s business practices “were the most secretive of all.” According to Matsuda, Toyota sponsored “secret recalls,” asking owners to visit dealers for vehicle checkups, a ploy that allowed them to replace defective parts and then charge the owner for the work.

In recent months, Toyota's safety problems have become all too public.   Since September, Toyota has recalled nearly 8 million vehicles worldwide for issues involving unintended acceleration.  Toyota has blamed the problems on faulty floor mats and defective accelerator pedals, but some believe a problem with the vehicles’ electronic throttle control system is behind the problems.  Recently, dozens of Toyota owners have complained that accelerator pedal fixes done as part of the recalls weren't working.

Matsuda told the Los Angeles Times that  he believed that Toyota also knew of defects involved in the most recent recalls long before going public. He told the Los Angeles Times that he believed criminal charges will ultimately be filed relating to recent recalls.

Slings are those infant carriers that parents and caretakers can strap across their chests; however, babies can suffocate in these slings and, sadly, some have, noted the AP. “We know of too many deaths in these slings and we now know the hazard scenarios for very small babies,” said Tenenbaum, quoted the AP. “So, the time has come to alert parents and caregivers,” added Tenenbaum.

Although Tenenbaum did not mention a specific baby sling and she did not provide the number of deaths related to these slings, complaints have been reported in recent years, said the AP. In 2008, Consumer Reports discussed the slings and about two-dozen reports that generally involved children falling out of the slings, said the AP. A blog following that report discussed the slings’ suffocation risks and that at least seven infant dates related to the slings had occurred, the AP said.

In 2008, we wrote that the CPSC announced a recall of defective Ellaroo LLC Ring Sling Baby Carriers over fall hazards. At the time, Ellaroo received four reports of the aluminum rings on the sling carriers bending, which caused the fabric to slip through the wings, which can cause the baby to fall out of the carrier. Ellaroo also received two reports of the rings breaking.

Consumer Reports, which is published by Consumers Union, complained about the “SlingRider” by Infantino, said the AP, adding that the so-called “bag style” sling wraps around the adult’s neck and then “cradles the child” in what it described as a “curved or ‘C-like’ position,” which has the baby resting below the chest near the belly. Apparently, the curve is what can cause infants’ heads—and infants have minimal head and neck strength—to droop forward with their chins falling on their chests, which restricts the infants breathing, explained the AP. Babies can also nestle their faces into their parents’ bodies and smother in the clothing, said the AP.

In 2007, said the AP, the Infantino “SlingRider” was recalled over problems with the plastic sliders on the strap of the sling.

And, although baby slings are touted as a good tool by which mothers and babies can bond—even being dubbed “babywearing”—said the AP, their use can have dangerous and deadly consequences. The slings have been seen on celebrities everywhere in the media and can be found at infant-focused retailers such as Babies R Us and BabySoSmart.com, according to the AP.

Tiffany Speck, a nurse and the owner of BabySoSmart told the AP that she has warned about the slings in classes she conducts “at hospitals, stores, and doctors’ offices.” “You wouldn’t want to put a baby in there,” Speck said in her interview with the AP. “The baby is curling, head toward toe, and what happens is the baby occludes its own airway,” she added, saying that babies should remain upright in a tummy-to-tummy position with their parent.

Twenty miles after the incident began, a California Highway Patrol car pulled alongside the Prius and began giving Sikes instructions over his public address system to used his brakes and his emergency brake to slow the car down, ABC News said. The car finally slowed to 55 mph, and Sikes was – after several attempts – able to turn it off via the ignition button.

The patrolman who came to Sikes’ rescue told ABC News he “could smell his brakes” when he pulled along side the Prius. For his part, Sikes said he was literally standing on his brakes in an attempt to slow the Prius down.

Since last fall, Toyota has recalled 6 million vehicles in the U.S. for problems involving sudden acceleration. The recalls started in September, when Toyota announced it was recalling and replacing floor mats on approximately 4.2 million vehicles which were allegedly causing accelerator pedals in the vehicles to become stuck in the depressed position, leading to uncontrollable and rapid acceleration of the vehicle. On January 21, Toyota recalled 2.3 million vehicles due to accelerator pedals on those vehicles becoming stuck in a depressed position, causing unexpected and unsafe acceleration.

The 2008 Prius detailed in the ABC News report was included in the floor mat recall. But its driver, 61-year-old James Sikes, maintains there was nothing wrong with his floor mats. Sikes told ABC News that he had received a recall notice – for what he did not specify – but when he took his vehicle to his dealer, he was told his Prius was not on the recall list.

Amid a number of highly publicized automotive recalls, the Nissan Motor Co. is now recalling about 260,000 of its pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), and minivans, said the Associated Press (AP). The recall is in the United States and meant to correct brake pedal and fuel gauge problems, added the AP.

It seems that a pin in the brake pedal assemblies on specific 2008 to 2010 Titan pickups and Armada SUVs, as well as some 2008 and 2009 Quest minivans can loosen, resulting in reduced braking force, said the AP, citing a statement issued by Nissan. No crashes or injuries have been reported, to date, said Nissan, wrote the AP, which added that if a customer experiences a loose brake pedal, he/she should contact the dealer.

Regarding faulty gas gauges, Nissan is recalling specific 2005 to 2009 Armadas and Titans, as well as certain 2006 and 2008 Frontier pickups and Xterra and Pathfinder SUVs. A sensor within the fuel tank can cause the gas tank to indicate it is one-quarter full when it is actually empty, said the AP. In the meantime, Nissan suggests motorist maintain a half-full talk pending repair by a dealer, noted AP.

Owners of recalled vehicles will be notified when to schedule the repairs, with the brake pedal recall starting March 22, and the fuel-gauge recall—a two-part process—starting March 22 and also sometime in April, said the AP. In some cases, one car can be impacted by both recalls, said Nissan, added the AP.

Recently we wrote that the Honda Motor Company recently expanded its international recall for faulty air bags. The Honda recalls followed Toyota’s highly publicized multiple vehicle recalls over faulty brakes and related accidents and fatalities. Honda increasing its recall, said the Chicago Tribune previously, is likely indicating a shift in how automakers are handling safety issues. In light of the massive Toyota debacle, Honda issued a recall of 437,000, which brings its total recalls over the past 15 months to close to one million vehicles, explained the Chicago Tribune.

Since last fall, Toyota has recalled six million vehicles in the U.S. for problems involving sudden acceleration. The recalls started in September, when Toyota announced it was recalling and replacing floor mats on approximately 4.2 million vehicles which were allegedly causing accelerator pedals in the vehicles to become stuck in the depressed position, leading to uncontrollable and rapid acceleration of the vehicles. On January 21, Toyota recalled 2.3 million vehicles due to accelerator pedals on those vehicles becoming stuck in a depressed position, causing unexpected and unsafe acceleration.

We recently wrote that that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is receiving a growing number of complaints from Toyota owners since mid-February claiming recent recall fixes haven’t resolved problems with sudden unintended acceleration (SUA). Now, the NHTSA is reporting that it has received over 60 such complaints, reported ABC News. "Officials are contacting each and every consumer to learn more about what they say is happening," NHTSA said in a statement, quoted ABC News.

David Strickland, the NHTSA administrator, said in a statement that the agency wants to “get to the bottom” of the matter and ensure that Toyota is doing “everything possible” to address the situation.

“If Toyota owners are still experiencing sudden acceleration incidents after taking their cars to the dealership, we want to know about it,” Strickland said.

According to a Reuters report, NHTSA said there were no explanations as of yet for the small number of new complaints, but was moving quickly to address them.

Since last fall, Toyota has recalled 6 million vehicles in the U.S. for problems involving sudden acceleration. The recalls started in September, when Toyota announced it was recalling and replacing floor mats on approximately 4.2 million vehicles which were allegedly causing accelerator pedals in the vehicles to become stuck in the depressed position, leading to uncontrollable and rapid acceleration of the vehicle. On January 21, Toyota recalled 2.3 million vehicles due to accelerator pedals on those vehicles becoming stuck in a depressed position, causing unexpected and unsafe acceleration.

Yesterday, the Los Angeles Times reported that the newly filed complaints claiming recurring sudden acceleration include incidents involving the Avalon, Camry and Matrix. Camry and Avalon models were included in both recalls, while Matrix were only part of the pedal recall. Reuters in now reporting that late-model Corollas – only included in the pedal recall – are also the subject of such complaints

According to the Los Angeles Times, the Avalon, Camry and Matrix, along with the Lexus IS and ES, are currently being given new brake override software as part of the recall fix. The brake override software is designed to automatically reduce the engine to idle when both the brake and the accelerator are depressed. The Times said some safety experts are concerned that the brake override software may in fact cause more problems by adding a new layer of software to the system.

The new recall fix complaints are also adding to fears that Toyota has yet to get to the bottom of the sudden acceleration problems. Some experts feel the vehicles’ electronic control system could be behind the problems, and Toyota has hired an independent consulting firm to examine the issue.

In addition to these complaints, several others in the NHTSA database reported unusual vehicle behavior, such as errant check-engine lights, after the recall service, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The newly filed complaints claiming recurring sudden acceleration include incidents involving the Avalon, Camry and Matrix. Those models are currently being given new brake override software as part of the recall, along with the Lexus IS and ES, the Times said. Last week, Toyota said it would also add that upgrade to the Venza, Tacoma and Sequoia.

The brake override software is designed to automatically reduce the engine to idle when both the brake and the accelerator are depressed.  According to the Times, some safety experts are concerned that the brake override software may in fact cause more problems by adding a new layer of software to the system.

Meijer
Meijer is recalling about 240,000 Innovations and “At Home with Meijer” Roman Shades and Roll-Up Blinds. his recall involves all Innovations and “At Home with Meijer” Roman shades and roll-up blinds. The Roman shades are made with fabric or bamboo and the Roll-up blinds with bamboo. A label reading “Innovation” or “At Home with Meijer” can be found under the headrail. These shades and blinds were sold at Meijer Stores and Meijer.com between January 2004 and December 2009 for about $40.

Consumers should immediately stop using the Roman shades and the roll-up blinds and contact the Window Covering Safety Council for a free repair kit at (800) 506-4636 anytime or visit www.windowcoverings.org.

For additional information, contact Meijer at (800) 927-8699 anytime or visit the company’s Website at www.meijer.com.

Lutron Electronics is recalling about 5,000 Lutron Shading Solutions Roman Shades. This recall involves all custom-ordered made-to-measure motorized and manual Lutron Shading Solutions Roman shades. The shades were sold in a variety of colors, fabrics, and sizes. Nearly all shades were professionally installed. “Lutron Shading Solutions” or “Lutron Shading Solutions by VIMCO” is printed on the packaging. These Roman shades were sold through Specialty dealers and Expo Design Centers nationwide from January 2000 through August 2009 for between $120 and $4,500 per shade.

Consumers should immediately stop using the Roman shades and contact Lutron Electronics to coordinate the removal, repair, and reinstallation of the shades. Consumers with manual Roman shades should also immediately check if the tension device is attached to the looped operating cord and installed into the wall or floor. If not attached, consumers should contact Lutron Electronics to receive a free repair kit. If the tension device is attached but not installed, consumers should immediately install the device into the wall or floor. If the consumer has difficulty installing the tension device, contact Lutron for further instructions.

For additional information, contact Lutron toll-free at (866) 793-4270 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.lutron.com/CERUSromans.

According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), Lutron Electronics and Meijer are the latest firms to join a large recall of all Roman shades and roll-up blinds that was issued in December 2009. That recall, issued jointly by the CPSC and the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC), was one of the biggest product recalls in U.S. history. As we reported, the recall involved 50 million Roman shades and roll-up window blinds – every such blind on the market.

Roman shades have been implicated in the deaths of five children and 16 near strangulations since 2006. Roll-up blinds have been cited in three strangulation deaths since 2001. Strangulations in Roman shades can occur when a child places their neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around their neck, the agency said. Strangulations in roll-up blinds can occur if the lifting loop slides off the side of the blind and a child’s neck becomes entangled on the free-standing loop or if a child places his/her neck between the lifting loop and the roll-up blind material.

At the time the recall was issued, the CPSC published the following guidelines to help parents and caregivers keep their children safe:

• Examine all shades and blinds in the home. Make sure there are no accessible cords on the front, side, or back of the product. The CPSC and the WCSC recommend the use of cordless window coverings in all homes where children live or visit.
• Do not place cribs, beds, and furniture close to the windows because children can climb on them and gain access to the cords.
• Make loose cords inaccessible.
• If the window shade has looped bead chains or nylon cords, install tension devices to keep the cord taut.

According to the Times, two previous investigations of these vehicles had cleared them of defects, but an NHTSA spokesperson told the Times that the models would now be part of an inquiry into the role that electronic throttle control systems may have played in Toyota’s speed-control problems.

According to a New York Times analysis of more than 12,000 U.S. speed control complaint records going back to 2000, most of those involving Toyotas involved vehicles not included in recalls.  For example, the Times found that the 2002 Camry, which hasn’t been recalled, had about 175 speed-control complaints. On the other hand, the 2007 Camry, named in 200 speed control complaints, has been recalled.

Toyota has blamed the sudden acceleration problems that prompted the recalls on faulty floor mats and defective gas pedals. According to The Times, Toyota said Camry’s sold in the U.S. before 2007 were outfitted with different mats and pedals, so they were not included in the recalls.

The Times also found that speed control complaints logged against Toyota involved more crashes. Ford, with 3,500, had the most consumer complaints, with 450 involving crashes. While Toyota came in second with 3,000 complaints, it far outpaced Ford when it came to crashes. According to the Times, 1,000 of the Toyota complaints involved accidents.

The Times analysis found that Toyota vehicles were named in one speed-control crash complaint per 20,454 vehicles sold in the United States. By comparison, Ford had one complaint per 64,679 vehicles. Honda had one per 70,112 and G.M. one per 179,821, the Times said.

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