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.

Since September, Toyota has recalled nearly 8 million vehicles worldwide for issues involving unintended acceleration. The recalls have seriously injured Toyota’s long-standing reputation for quality and reliability. Toyota has also been strongly criticized for what many see as a slow response to the unintended acceleration problem.

According to letter from U.S. Representative Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, to Yoshimi Inaba, President and CEO of Toyota North America,  a review of documents obtained under subpoena from a former senior lawyer at Toyota indicate the automaker deliberately withheld records that it was legally required to produce in response to discovery orders in litigation. Many of these documents concern “rollover” cases in which a driver or passenger was injured, including cases where victims were paralyzed.

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is just one of several congressional committees investigating Toyota's recent recalls and safety lapses.  Last week, Inaba and Toyota President Akio Toyoda testified before it.

According to a press release issued by Towns, the committee’s review of these documents revealed multiple references to secret “Books of Knowledge” that were kept in electronic form, in which Toyota engineers kept their design and testing data across all vehicle lines and for all vehicle parts. Towns said the committee now has evidence that Toyota entered into multi-million dollar settlements in lawsuits where they feared that the plaintiff’s lawyer was getting close to discovering the existence of the “Books of Knowledge.”

The former lawyer who provided the committee with the Toyota documents,  Dimitrios Biller, was Managing Counsel in the Product Liability Group of Toyota Motor Sales, USA (TMS), from April 2003 to September 2007. According to Towns’ letter, Biller led the defense of some of the largest tort cases filed against Toyota, including “rollover” cases involving seriously injured victims. As we’ve reported previously, Biller filed his own lawsuit against Toyota in July, claiming Toyota conspired to withhold evidence in the rollover cases and forced him to resign when he told the company it had a legal duty to release evidence to plaintiffs’ attorneys.

“In sum, the Biller documents indicate a systematic disregard for the law and routine violation of court discovery orders in litigation. People injured in crashes involving Toyota vehicles may have been injured a second time when Toyota failed to produce relevant evidence in court,” Towns wrote in his letter to Inaba. “Moreover, this also raises very serious questions as to whether Toyota has also withheld substantial, relevant information from NHTSA.”

Towns has asked Inaba to review Biller’s records and provide a response to his allegations by noon on Friday, March 12, 2010.

Toyoda delivered a lengthy apology, and  admitted that his company had lost sight of its "safety first"  philosphy.  But according to the Detroit Free Press, during his testimony yesterday before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Toyoda did not explain why the automaker took years to address thousands of sudden acceleration complaints involving its vehicles.  According to the U.K. Telegraph, Toyoda did promise to personally lead a new committee on global quality. Toyota is also setting up a safety advisory board to be led by two yet-to-be-named independent experts, Toyoda said.

Toyoda's appearance appears to have done little to quiet criticism of his company, according to the Free Press. At one point, committee member Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio pointedly asked Toyota “Where’s the remorse?”

Toyoda also addressed concerns that the electronic throttle control systems could be behind acceleration problems, saying he was “absolutely confident there is no problem with design” of the system.

This was in contrast to testimony James E. Lentz, the president of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A, gave yesterday before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, who said the automaker still hasn’t ruled out electronics as a potential cause of sudden acceleration. Lentz said his company was awaiting results of two studies of electronics in Toyota and Lexus vehicles, and that recent floor mat and accelerator pedal fixes might “not totally” solve the problems.

Since September, Toyota has recalled nearly 8 million vehicles worldwide for issues involving unintended acceleration. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has now received more than 2,000 complaints of sudden, unintended acceleration with Toyota and Lexus vehicles that involve more than 30 deaths and hundreds of accidents since 2000.

The recalls have seriously injured Toyota’s long-standing reputation for quality and reliability. Toyota has also been strongly criticized for what many see as a slow response to the unintended acceleration problem.

The hearing was the first of three  called to investigate how Toyota and federal safety officials handled the sudden acceleration problem. Toyota’s Chief Executive, Akio Toyoda,  is scheduled to appear today before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Lentz testified yesterday that the floor mat and accelerator fix would only “solve the problems that we know of," and said the automaker still hasn’t ruled out electronics as a potential cause of sudden acceleration.  According to Los Angeles Times, Lentz said his company was awaiting results of two studies of electronics in Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Up until now, Toyota has denied that electronics played role in the sudden acceleration issues.

Transportation secretary Ray LaHood also testified before the committee. According to The New York Times, he faced critical questions about past decisions by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) not to vigorously pursue company recalls. LaHood promised to investigate complaints that the computerized electronic systems were involved in Toyota sudden acceleration incidents, the Times said. LaHood maintained that faulty floor mats and accelerator pedals posed the most serious danger, but stopped short of saying that the recent recalls would solve the entire acceleration problem in Toyota cars.

Since September, Toyota has recalled millions of vehicles worldwide for issues involving unintended acceleration. As we’ve reported previously, the NHTSA has now received more than 2,000 complaints of sudden, unintended acceleration with Toyota and Lexus vehicles that involve 34 deaths and hundreds of accidents since 2000.

In letters to James E. Lentz, President of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. and Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif.), chairman of the committee, and Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich) write that in June 2004, the automaker and U.S. safety officials discussed a chart showing that Toyota Camrys with new electronic throttles had 400 percent more complaints regarding “vehicle speed.” Among other things, the letters point out that approximately 70 percent of the sudden unintended acceleration events in Toyota’s customer database involved vehicles that are not subject to recalls.

The letters also assert that documents submitted by Toyota appear to show that:

• Toyota dismissed the possibility that electronic failures could be responsible for incidents of sudden unintended acceleration.
• The one report that Toyota has produced that purports to test and analyze potential electronic causes of sudden unintended acceleration was initiated just two months ago and appears to have serious flaws.
• Toyota's public statements about the adequacy of its recent recalls appear to be misleading.

The letters also claim that, based on a preliminary review of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) documents, it appears that NHTSA lacks the expertise needed to evaluate defects in vehicle electronic controls, and its response to complaints of sudden unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles appears to have been seriously deficient. ts.

Since September, Toyota has recalled nearly 8 million vehicles worldwide for issues involving unintended acceleration. As we’ve reported previously, the NHTSA has now received more than 2,000 complaints of sudden, unintended acceleration with Toyota and Lexus vehicles that involve 34 deaths and hundreds of accidents since 2000.

Since September, Toyota has recalled nearly 8 million vehicles worldwide for issues involving unintended acceleration and faulty brakes. The recalls have seriously injured Toyota’s long-standing reputation for quality and reliability. Toyota has also been strongly criticized for what many see as a slow response to the unintended acceleration problem.

According to The New York Times report, Toyota made the $100 million savings estimate for the 2007 Camry and Lexus ES recall in a confidential presentation from July 2009 listing legislative and regulatory “wins” for the company. According to the document, Toyota officials said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had become “more sensitive to public/Congressional criticism, resulting in more investigations and more forced recalls.” But the company said it had achieved “favorable safety outcomes” and “secured safety rulemaking favorable to Toyota.”

Specific to the 2007 Camry and Lexus ES recall, Toyota said it had “negotiated an equipment recall” without a finding of a defect, saving the company $100 million, the Times said. Instead of fixing the cars, Toyota only recalled 55,000 floor mats which it said could become lodged under the accelerator pedal.

The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which obtained the documents detailed by the Times through a subpoena, is one of three congressional committees that have scheduled hearings into Toyota’s recalls and safety problems. Toyota president Akio Toyoda is set to testify before the committee on Friday.

Toyota is also facing other investigations. According to Reuters, Toyota said today that it had received a federal grand jury subpoena for documents related to unintended acceleration and braking that led to the recall. The subpoena came from the attorney’s office for the southern district of New York on February 8.

Reuters is also reporting that Toyota has been asked by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for documents related to unintended acceleration of Toyota vehicles. U.S. unit Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. separately received a subpoena for related documents, including about the company’s disclosure policies, Reuters said. Both the request and the subpoena from the Los Angeles office of the SEC.

Finally, the Detroit News has obtained a series of e-mails between State Farm and NHTSA officials from 2004 that show the government had already been probing the Toyota unintended acceleration issue. In 2004, State Farm notified the government of a spike in unintended acceleration complaints involving Toyota vehicles.

The e-mails show NHTSA was appreciative of the “timely” submissions by the insurer. The records also show that NHTSA continued working with State Farm in 2009 as it further probed the issue of unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles, the Detroit News said. However, the emails obtained by the Detroit News do not shed any new light on why the NHTSA ended its investigation in July 2004 without requiring any action by Toyota.

The case involves seven Virginia plaintiffs whose homes have drywall manufactured by China-based Taishan Gypsum Co. Blame is not at issue in this case because a default judgment has already been issued against Taishan Gypsum for failing to respond to lawsuits.

At least 3,000 people from across the country have filed suit over defective Chinese drywall. All of the Chinese drywall lawsuits filed in federal courts have been consolidated in the US District Court in New Orleans under Judge Eldon E. Fallon as part of a multidistrict litigation.

Plaintiffs in the lawsuits will argue that homes with defective drywall must be gutted, with all drywall, fixtures, wires and pipes removed and replaced. By contrast, court papers submitted by Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin, another major drywall manufacturer, assert that “a proven combination of mature technologies, dehumidification, conditioning tand filtration … fix the problems associate with Chinese drywall in houses.”

A plaintiffs’ attorney told the South Florida Business Journal that Knauf’s proposed solution is inadequate, and amounts to ” a Band-Aid to fix cancer.”

Since late 2008, the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has received about 2,833 reports from residents in 37 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. These gases also produce a sulfurous odor that permeates homes, and cause metals, including air conditioning coils and even jewelry, to corrode. People living with Chinese drywall have also suffered eye, respiratory and sinus problems that may be linked to the gases.

Just a day earlier, Toyoda – the grandson of Toyota’s founder – said he would not be attending the hearing. At that time, Toyoda had said North American president, Yoshimi Inaba, would be a better choice to testify before Congress. But his stance drew criticism, and prompted Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.), the chairman of the committee, to issue Toyoda an invitation urging him to attend. As we reported last week, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), the committee’s ranking Republican, threatened to subpoena Toyoda to testify before the committee.

Toyoda will answer questions from the committee regarding Toyota’s recent safety issues and recalls. Since September, Toyota has recalled nearly 8 million vehicles worldwide for issues involving unintended acceleration and faulty brakes. The recalls have seriously injured Toyota’s long-standing reputation for quality and reliability.

North American president Inaba and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood are also expected to testify at next week’s hearing.

Meanwhile, various media outlets are reporting that the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has also issued a subpoena for documents held by Dimitrios Biller, a former top attorney for Toyota North America. Biller, who worked for Toyota from 2003 to 2007, has claimed that Toyota hid data from the government and the public that would have allowed liability cases to go forward against it, the Washington Post said.

According to the Post, Biller was prevented this month from releasing the documents by a federal arbitrator who agreed with Toyota that they were privileged. However, a congressional subpoena overrides the arbitrator’s injunction.

The committee’s subpoena is demanding “all documents relating to Toyota motor vehicle safety and Toyota’s handling of alleged motor vehicle defects and related litigation” that are held by Biller, the Post said.

The Corolla is Toyota’s best-selling car, with around 1.3 million models sold around the world last year. It was the fifth-best-selling vehicle in the U.S. in 2009 and the world’s top-seller.

According to The Washington Post, the NHTSA has received more than 150 complaints about the power steering on the Corolla in which drivers have reported feeling as though they were losing control over the steering. The NHTSA investigation will cover about 500,000 Corollas, model years 2009-2010.

Yesterday, we reported that Toyota was considering a recall of the Corolla over the steering complaints. At a news conference, Shinichi Sasaki, who oversees quality at Toyota Motor Corp., said that a recall would be issued if Toyota determined that the problem was putting drivers at risk. 

The Corolla is just the latest Toyota vehicle to cause safety concerns. The automaker has already recalled nearly 8 million vehicles worldwide since September 2009 for issues involving unintended acceleration and faulty brakes. The recalls have seriously injured Toyota’s long-standing reputation for quality and reliability.

NEWS UPDATE: CBS 4 Miami, Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 - Class-Action Lawsuit Filed Against Toyota (Click here to view video)

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) appears to be taking a more aggressive stance towards Toyota.  The agency just announced two new investigations of Toyota’s recent recalls involving sudden acceleration, and is demanding that the automaker turn over an extensive list of documents.

According to a report in The Detroit News, the aim of two new NHTSA probes will be to determine if Toyota acted promptly when it issued the recalls over sudden acceleration. One investigation will focus on whether or not Toyota followed a law that requires automakers to notify NHTSA within five days of determining a safety defect. The second will determine if Toyota has recalled all vehicles with the potential for a sticky accelerator pedal or pedal entrapment in floor mats.

The Washington Post is reporting that the document requests were made in three letters totaling 53 page. In the letters, the NHTSA asked Toyota to provide a wide range of documents, including consumer complaints, reports from auto dealers, sales figures, design changes and third-party arbitration proceedings. It also asked for information about earlier Toyota recalls in Europe.

The NHTSA’s aggressive stance signals a shift at the agency, which usually ends vehicle defect investigations once an automaker issues a recall.  According to The Washington Post, if Toyota is found to have violated regulations, it could face a civil fine of up to $16.4 million.

Since last fall, Toyota has recalled millions of cars for problems involving sudden acceleration and faulty brakes. It all 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.

As we’ve reported previously, the NHTSA has now received more than 2,000 complaints of sudden, unintended acceleration with Toyota and Lexus vehicles that involve 34 deaths and hundreds of accidents since 2000.

A Corolla recall would be the last thing Toyota needs right now. Since last fall, Toyota has recalled millions of cars for problems involving sudden acceleration and faulty brakes. It all 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.

As we’ve reported previously, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has now received more than 2,000 complaints of sudden, unintended acceleration with Toyota and Lexus vehicles that involve 34 deaths and hundreds of accidents since 2000.

Last week, Toyota recalled more than 400,000 hybrid vehicles, including the 2010 Prius and the Lexus HS250h, to fix their breaks. The NHTSA said it had opened an investigation into the 2010 Prius relating to reports of momentary loss of braking capability while traveling over an uneven road surface, pothole or bump. The NHTSA said it had received 124 reports from consumers, including four reports alleging that crashes occurred. A week after the recall was announced, the NHTSA had received a total of 1,120 complaints alleging 34 crashes and six injuries involving Prius brakes.

According to the Associated Press, Toyota has said it will “consider” a recall if the Corolla’s reported power steering issues involve the safety of the driver. At a news conference this morning, Shinichi Sasaki, who oversees quality at Toyota Motor Corp., said drivers have reported feeling as though they were losing control over the steering. According to Sasaki, the complaints involving the Corolla amount to fewer than 100.

It is not yet known what might be causing the alleged Corolla problems, but possibilities include the braking system and tires.

Consumers have filed more complaints regarding Toyota vehicles with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) since the automaker recalled millions of cars over speed control and braking problems.

As of January 2010, crashes involving Toyota or Lexus vehicles and sudden acceleration had allegedly resulted in 21 deaths between 2000 and the end of 2009.  But since Toyota recalled millions of vehicles in January to fix faulty accelerator pedals, the number of fatality complaints allegedly associated with the sudden acceleration of a Toyota vehicle since 2000 have risen to 34. Since the January recall, consumers have reported nine crashes involving 13 alleged deaths between 2005 and 2010 due to accelerator problem to the NHTSA database. Since January 27, the NHTSA has processed 686 complaints from consumers about problems related to speed control involving Toyota-manufactured vehicles, the Associated Press said.

Toyota's recalls started in September, when the automaker 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.

According to a Reuters report published over the weekend, at least two former NHTSA regulators now work at Toyota. What’s more, these individuals may have helped bring to an end four separate NHTSA investigations into Toyota vehicles and unintended acceleration.  Christopher Tinto, vice president of regulatory affairs in Toyota’s Washington office, joined the automaker in 1994, right after leaving the NHTSA. Christopher Santucci – who now works for Tinto – did the same in 2003.

From 2003 to 2009 the NHTSA opened eight investigations of sudden acceleration involving Toyotas. Of those, three resulted in floor mat recalls and five were closed. Tinto and Santucci worked with NHTSA on Toyota’s responses to the consumer complaints, according to court papers and other documents reviewed by Reuters.

According to Reuters, the relationship between Tinto and Santucci and the NHTSA is unique. Spokesmen for General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co., Chrysler Group LLC and Honda Motor Co. all told Reuters that they have no ex-NHTSA people who deal with the agency on defects.

As of January 2010, Toyota has recalled more than 5 million vehicles in the U.S. for problems with sudden acceleration. Crashes involving Toyota or Lexus vehicles and sudden acceleration have allegedly resulted in 19 deaths between 2004 and 2009.  Many consumer advocates believe the recalls should have happened sooner.   And they're looking for explanations from both Toyota and the NHTSA.

Hopefully those explanations will come soon. According to Reuters, three congressional committees – House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Commerce Committee – have hearings on the Toyota recalls scheduled in the next few weeks. Officials from Toyota and the NHTSA have been asked to testify at all of them.

Toyota will be conducting a review of the electronic throttle control system used on many of its vehicles in an effort to quell speculation that the system is behind the unintended acceleration problems that have sparked the recall of millions of Toyota and Lexus vehicles.  Meanwhile, Toyota's safety woes continued over the weekend, with the automaker recalling 8,000 2010 Tacoma Trucks to fix a problem with the front drive shaft that could cause the vehicle to lose control.

Since January 2010, Toyota has recalled 5.3 million vehicles in the U.S. because of problems with unintended 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. Toyota accelerator-related problems have been linked to crashes that killed at least 19 people.

Attorneys for some people involved in Toyota unintended acceleration lawsuits have blamed the electronic throttle control system for the problems. They point out that unintended acceleration complaints began to increase significantly in 2002, when Toyota began installing such systems in a broad range of its vehicle lines.

Last week, Toyota told the U.S. Congress that it did not believe problems with the electronic control system were responsible for unintended acceleration problems.   Now, Japanese media are reporting that Toyota will announce a new review of the system later this month.  External experts will be used to conduct the review, and the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) may also participate.

The Tacoma recall  involves 4-wheel drive Tacomas that were built from mid-December 2009 to early February 2010.  According to the Associated Press, a crack could develop that could lead to the front driveshaft separating and falling from the truck.  A Toyota spokesperson told the Associated Press that most of the Tacomas affected by the recall are on dealer lots or in the distribution chain.

According to Reuters, U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa of California, the top Republican on the House Oversight and Government committee, has invited Toyoda to testify at hearings scheduled for February 24 and 25th, as March 2nd. Issa also offered to schedule another session if Toyoda was unable to attend any of those hearings. Issa has also written a letter to the committee’s chairman saying he supports using issuing a subpoena if necessary to compel testimony from Toyoda.

Toyoda has already apologized twice for the company’s recent safety failures and recalls, and promised to strengthen quality control efforts at Toyota. Now Reuters is reporting that Toyoda is making arrangements to come to the U.S. in early March. During the visit, Toyoda plans to meet U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and major lawmakers and will also hold a news conference as part of his trip, Reuters said.  The company, however, would not comment on calls for Toyoda to testify before Congress.

Over the past several months, Toyota has recalled millions cars – including its popular Prius Hybrid – for problems involving sudden acceleration and faulty brakes.   The recalls have dealt a serious blow to Toyota's long-standing reputation for quality and reliability.

The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is set to take up the Toyota unintended acceleration issue at a hearing later this month, and it appears the committee’s investigators aren’t satisfied with the company’s explanations.

“There appears to be a growing body of evidence that neither Toyota nor NHTSA identified all the causes of sudden unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles,” committee investigators told lawmakers in a memo this week. “Moreover, there is substantial evidence that remedies such as redesigned floor mats have failed to solve the problem.”

Biller alleges that he learned of the electronics problems while he was a lawyer for Toyota and said his evidence for that would still be considered privileged, USA Today said. Biller has filed his own lawsuit against Toyota alleging it withheld data in civil lawsuits and from the government, and is also being sued by the company.

Toyota denies that electronics play any role in the unintended acceleration problems. The automaker also claims Biller never handled unintended acceleration lawsuits, but according to USA Today, his lawyer said Biller did work on one such suit in 2005.

News of the Corrolla's issues come a day after Toyota recalled 400,000 hybrid vehicles, including the 2010 Prius and the Lexus HS250h, to fix their breaks. Last week, the NHTSA announced that it had opened an investigation into the 2010 Prius relating to reports of momentary loss of braking capability while traveling over an uneven road surface, pothole or bump. The NHTSA said it had received 124 reports from consumers, including four reports alleging that crashes occurred.

Toyota has also recalled millions of vehicles around the world because of incidents of dangerous, unintended acceleration. 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.

Just a few months prior, in September 2009, 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.

According to a report in Automotive News, the Corolla has been the subject of 83 power-steering complaints to the NHTSA. At least 76 of those reports involved the Corolla unexpectedly veers to the left or right at 40 miles an hour and up.

The agency’s database showed 17 reports stemming from the 2010 Corolla’s steering system and 67 from the 2009 model. According to Automotive News, the complaints cite 10 injuries resulting from six accidents. In some cases, the Corolla involved ended up upside down, at the bottom of a cliff or in a ditch.

Once the NHTSA finishes reviewing the Corolla steering complaints, it will decide whether or not to open a formal investigation.

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 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.

According to the CPSC, the crib’s plastic hardware can break which can cause the drop side of the crib to detach from a corner of the crib. When the drop side detaches, it creates a space into which an infant or toddler can roll and become wedged or entrapped, which can lead to the child’s suffocation or strangulation. In addition, the crib’s mattress support can detach from the crib frame, creating a hazardous space in which an infant or toddler could become entrapped and suffocate or strangle.

Between 2002 and 2007, three infants have suffocated after becoming entrapped between the crib mattress and the drop side when the drop side detached. 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.

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.

The 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.

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

Lead poisoning is considered the greatest environmental health threat to children under the age of six. In children and fetuses, lead exposure can cause brain and nervous system damage, behavioral and learning problems, slowed growth, hearing problems, headaches, mental and physical retardation, and behavioral and other health problems. Lead is known to cause cancer and reproductive harm and, in adults, can damage the nervous system. Experts agree that there is no safe level of lead. Most noteworthy, children under the age of six face these great risks because their growing bodies absorb lead more easily than adult bodies do.

According to CEH,  the inflated vinyl Valentine’s Day love messages (eg, “I love U”) the "Message Bears" were carrying had lead levels that were nearly 10 times higher than what is allowed under federal law. Results of the CEH tests prompted California Attorney General Jerr Brown to send a letter to Target requesting a recall of the bears. A spokesperson for Target told the Associated Press that the retailer has received that letter, and is conducting an internal investigation. The officials said Target is removing the toy bears from shelves as well as hard-locking them at the registers.

The action involves two “Message Bears.” One is a pink stuffed bear with “XOXO” across the chest and the other a brown stuffed bear with “I Love U” across the chest, with “love” represented by a heart. The bears were made in China and sold exclusively by Target stores.

As we reported earlier this week, brakes on some Prius hybrid vehicles had temporarily stopping working on bumpy or slippery roads. Toyota has been investigating braking problems on the third generation Prius launched in May, and said yesterday that brakes on some Prius vehicles had a design flaw. The automaker acknowledged that it had changed the software for cars produced since January, and it is looking into what to do with the vehicles already on the road.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it has received 124 reports from consumers about the Prius brakes, including four reports of crashes. The NHTSA said yesterday that it had opened a formal investigation into the Prius brake issue. The preliminary evaluation involves about 37,000 vehicles in the U.S., the agency said.

Yesterday, several media outlets in Japan reported that Toyota would be recalling 270,000 Prius vehicles over the brake issue, but that has not happened yet. At this morning’s news conference, Toyoda said his company is still investigating the Prius brake issue and said a decision on a recall would be announced as soon as possible.

The Prius problem follows recent well-published issues Toyota has had with sudden, unexpected acceleration with some of its vehicles.  In the past several months, Toyota has recalled roughly 8 million vehicles around the world because of sudden acceleration problems. At this morning's news conference, Toyoda, the grandson of the automaker’s founder, tried to reassure consumers that Toyota’s cars are safe. Toyoda apologized and said he would be heading up a committee to improve quality control at Toyota.

According to a CNN report, the chief executive was not afforded the usual deference the Japanese media usually grants to corporate executives in that country. Instead, some reporters asked Toyoda pointed questions about a lack of leadership at the company, and wanted to know why he was dodging questions. Toyoda has recently been criticized for his lack of public appearances during the recall crisis, CNN said.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has also launched an investigation into the Prius brakes, which reportedly temporarily stop working on bumpy or slippery roads.  The NHTSA said today that  it has received 124 reports from consumers about the Prius brakes, including four reports of crashes.

Toyota has acknowledged that it had already corrected the brake problem for Prius models sold since late January. Earlier, Toyota’s manager in charge of quality, Hiroyuki Yokoyama, blamed the problem on the Prius’ two braking systems, saying a glitch sometimes prevented the car from transitioning smoothly between the two.

Despite several news organizations in Japan reporting an impending Prius recall, a spokesperson for Toyota told the Associated Press that it was "too soon to call at this point."  

A possible Prius recall couldn't have come at a worse time for Toyota, which just last month recalled 2.3 million vehicles due to accelerator pedals on those vehicles becoming stuck in a depressed position, causing unexpected and unsafe acceleration. That recall followed one in September for 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.

Toyota is facing more trouble today. According to various media reports, U.S. regulators are considering imposing civil penalties against Toyota over its response to reports of unintended acceleration with some of its vehicles. Meanwhile, the automaker announced today that it has received “dozens” of complaints about problems with brakes on its popular Prius model.

As of January 2010, Toyota had recalled a total 5.3 million vehicles due to incidents of dangerous, unintended acceleration. 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. Vehicles included in this recall are 2007-2010 Camry, 2005-2010 Avalon, 2004-2009 Prius, 2005-2010 Tacoma, 2007-2010 Tundra, 2007-2010 Lexus ES350 and 2006-2010 IS250/IS350. In addition to the recall, Toyota suspended sales and production of the eight models.

Just a few months prior, in September 2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that Toyota 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. That recall involved the 2007-2010 Camry, 2005-2010 Avalon, 2004-2009 Prius, 2005-2010 Tacoma, 2007-2010 Tundra, 2007-2010 Lexus ES350 and 2006-2010 IS250/IS350.

Toyota has said the floor mat and accelerator pedal recalls are not related, but some vehicles were included in both.

According to The Wall Street Journal, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement yesterday that Toyota could face regulatory action over its response to the sudden acceleration issues. “While Toyota is taking responsible action now, it unfortunately took an enormous effort to get to this point,” LaHood said. “We’re not finished with Toyota and are continuing to review possible defects and monitor the implementation of the recalls.”

The Wall Street Journal is also reporting that the Department of Transportation is considering assessing Toyota a civil penalty. Also, at least two congressional committees are scheduled to hold hearings into the Toyota sudden acceleration problems this month.

Meanwhile, Toyota said yesterday that it had received reports that brakes on some Prius hybrid vehicles had temporarily stopping working on bumpy or slippery roads. One such report involved a crash.

According to MarketWatch, Toyota said that “dozens” of such instances had been reported as of the end of last year from Japan and North America. Japan’s Kyodo News Agency is reporting that the U.S. NHTSA had received more than 100 complaints over the problem concerning Prius models released last year, while Dow Jones Newswire quoted Japan’s transport ministry as saying it had received 13 complaints in two months about the brake problem.

A Toyota spokesperson told Kyodo that the Prius brake claims hadn’t been confirmed but that the company was “currently investigating this problem.”

As of January 2010, Toyota had recalled a total 5.3 million vehicle due to problems with accelerator pedals sticking, leading to incidents of dangerous, unintended acceleration.

On January 21, Toyota recalled 2.3 million vehicles produced due to accelerator pedals on those vehicles becoming stuck in a depressed position, causing unexpected and unsafe acceleration. Vehicles included in this recall are 2007-2010 Camry, 2005-2010 Avalon, 2004-2009 Prius, 2005-2010 Tacoma, 2007-2010 Tundra, 2007-2010 Lexus ES350 and 2006-2010 IS250/IS350. In addition to the recall, Toyota suspended sales and production of the eight models.

Just a few months prior, in September 2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that Toyota 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. That recall involved the 2007-2010 Camry, 2005-2010 Avalon, 2004-2009 Prius, 2005-2010 Tacoma, 2007-2010 Tundra, 2007-2010 Lexus ES350 and 2006-2010 IS250/IS350.

Toyota has said the floor mat and accelerator pedal recalls are not related, but some vehicles were included in both.

The spate of recalls has shaken confidence in Toyota, which once had a rock-solid reputation for quality. On Sunday, the automaker took out full-page newspaper advertisements to explain why it stopped sales of the eight models involved in the accelerator pedal recall. The print ad marked Toyota’s first attempt to directly communicate with the public about the recall. In the ad, Toyota asserts that it halted production of the vehicles because “it was the right thing to do” But according to The New York Times, transportation secretary, Ray LaHood, said last wake that the carmaker did so because “we asked them to”.

The accelerator pedal fix announced today involves reinforcing the pedal by installing a steel reinforcement bar into the pedal assembly, The New York Times said. This will eliminate excess friction that could cause the pedal to stick, according to Toyota. Government regulators told Toyota last week that they were satisfied with the repair plan.

Toyota said it will send letters to owners of recalled vehicles in the next several weeks detailing the accelerator pedal fix. Customers have been asked not to contact a dealer to schedule a repair appointment until they receive their letter.

 The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will hold a hearing on the issue next Thursday, while the House Energy and Commerce Committee will take up the matter on February 25.

In letters to the company and to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, Energy and Commerce Committee chairman, Henry A. Waxman, asked to see documentation from Toyota and the agency on when they first learned about potential safety defects, actions they had taken to investigate and resolve them, and data on the agency’s investigation of consumer complaints and Toyota’s response to the complaints.

The committee said sudden unintended acceleration in all Toyota vehicles had resulted in 19 deaths in the U.S. over the last decade – twice the number of deaths associated with similar events in cars built by all other automakers combined.

Earlier this month, Toyota announced it was recalling 2.3 million Toyota vehicles in the U.S. because the accelerator pedal can stick, causing unintended acceleration. The recall involved 2009-2010 RAV4, 2009-2010 Corolla, 2009-2010 Matrix, 2005-2010 Avalon, certain 2007-2010 Camrys, 2010 Highlander, 2007-2010 Tundra, 2008-2010 Sequoia. A week later, Toyota suspended production and sales of those models to deal with the issues that caused the problem.

Now the Associated Press is reporting that Toyota has informed Chinese authorities it will start a recall in February for 75,500 RAV4 vehicles that were manufactured in China between March 2009 and January 2010. Toyota is still unsure how many vehicles could have the defect in Europe, the Associated Press said, but as many as 9 million Toyotas could end up being recalled on three continents.

The company is also expanding a floor mat recall to include five models — 2008-2010 Highlander, 2009-2010 Corolla, 2009-2010 Venza, 2009-2010 Matrix, and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe, a General Motors Corp. vehicle that shares parts with the Matrix. The original recall, which was issued last fall, involved 4.2 million vehicles, including the 2007-2010 Camry, 2005-2010 Avalon, 2004-2009 Prius, 2005-2010 Tacoma, 2007-2010 Tundra, 2007-2010 Lexus ES350 and 2006-2010 IS250/IS350.

Toyota maintains that the unintended acceleration incidents that prompted the floor mat recall in the fall involves a separate issue from the recall issued for the sticking accelerator pedals, although some vehicles were included in both recalls.

In November, MacClaren USA, Inc. recalled about a million single and double umbrella strollers after it had received 15 reports of children placing their finger in the stroller’s hinge mechanism, resulting in 12 reports of fingertip amputations in the United States.  Just last week, Graco recalled 1.5 million strollers for the same problem. Graco said it has received seven reports of children placing their fingers in the stroller’s canopy hinge mechanism while the canopy was being opened or closed, resulting in five fingertip amputations and two fingertip lacerations.

Fortunately, the CYBEX  strollers haven't cut off anyone's fingers, but a ccording to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC),one child did sustain a finger fracture after placing his finger in the stroller’s faulty hinge mechanism.

This recall involves Ruby, Onyx and Topaz models of CYBEX umbrella strollers. “CYBEX” is printed on the side of the strollers. The recalled strollers were sold at department and juvenile product stores nationwide between August 2009 and November 2009 for between $140 and $260.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled strollers and contact Regal Lager to receive a free hinge cover retrofit kit. For additional information, contact the Company Service Center at (800) 593-5522 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.regallager.com/recalls – consumers can also email the firm at info@regallager.com.

According to The Wall Streeet Journal, CPSC head Inez Tenenbaum  wants to improve the quality of wood used in cribs and improve mattress supports. She also wants to end the sale of drop side cribs, and according to the Journal, most of the industry has agreed to phase out that type of crib.

Last November, following a massive recall of Stork Craft drop side cribs that had been implicated in the suffocation deaths of four children, Tenenbaum advised that parents and caregivers abandon drop side cribs altogether.

Since 2007, defective cribs – especially the drop side variety – have killed more than a dozen infants, injured even more and resulted in the recall of 7 million cribs. Just yesterday, Dorel Asia recalled more than 600,000 drop side cribs that caused the strangulation death of a child.

According to The Wall Street Journal, most recalled cribs have met the current safety standards for new cribs, which include a mix of mandatory standards set by the government, as well as voluntary standards. The voluntary standards, set by a by a voluntary standards-setting group, are actually tougher than the CPSC’s.  

The cribs in this recall are extremely dangerous.  A 6-month old child from Cedar Rapids, Iowa died as a result of strangulation after becoming entrapped after drop side hardware on one of these cribs broke. The crib continued to be used after the parents tried to repair the drop side themselves.

There have also been reports of 31 drop side incidents. In six of those incidents, children were entrapped between the drop side and crib mattress. Three children suffered from bruises as a result of the entrapment. In addition, the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and Dorel Asia received reports of 36 incidents of slat breakage, including seven reports of bruises and scratches to children and two reports of entrapment that resulted in no injury.

Consumer advocates have long called for an end to the sale of drop side cribs.  They are 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. In many instances, children have been injured and even killed after becoming entrapped in a gap between the side rail and headboard of a drop side crib.More than 5 million drop side cribs have been recalled over the past two years alone, and such cribs have been connected with the deaths of a dozen young children.

Last November, following a massive recall of Stork Craft drop side cribs that had been implicated in the suffocation deaths of four children, the head of the CPSC advised that parents and caregivers abandon drop side cribs. Inez Tenenbaum also admitted that her agency’s track record on crib safety hasn’t exactly been stellar.

At the time, Tenenbaum said the CPSC would be proposing new mandatory crib regulations in the next few months, but said she did “not think drop-sides will be a part of cribs in the future.”

The cribs involved in this recall were sold at K-Mart, Sears and Wal-Mart stores nationwide from January 2005 through December 2009 for between $120 and $700. A complete list of the drop side crib models included in this recall can be found here.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs, find an alternative safe sleeping environment for your child, and contact Dorel Asia to receive a free replacement kit. Consumers should log on to www.dorel-asia.com to order the free replacement kit to prevent child entrapment in these cribs. The repair kits will be provided to owners within the next several weeks.

The CPSC is also reminding parents and caregivers 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, especially with duct tape, wire or rope.

Chinese manufacturers likely switched to using cadmium in the jewelry because they are barred from using lead, the Associated Press said. But cadmium is every bit as dangerous. Cadmium is a known carcinogen, and can interfere with brain development in very young children. 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.

Schumer announced his legislation to ban cadmium last week at a press conference in front of the Dollar N More store on Mt. Hope Avenue in Rochester. “There’s nothing more important than the safety of our children,” Schumer said. “This toxic metal poses a direct threat to their safety and well being. I will fight tooth and nail to ensure this proposal becomes law as quickly as possible.”

Schumer said he hopes to get the legislation on the Senate calendar next month.

Alesi’s bill was introduced and referred to the Senate Health Committee on Jan. 12. The legislation to ban cadmium is the latest in a series of measures that Alesi has introduced that focus on children’s health and safety. He has also introduced bills that would: ban lead in children’s jewelry; ban mercury in schools; ban dangerous cleaning products in schools; ban chromated copper arsenate (CCA) in pressure-treated lumber, once commonly used in wood playgrounds; and ban the use of bisphenol-A (BPA) in baby bottles and water bottles.

The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has also opened an investigation into cadmium in children's jewelry.  Last week, CPSC head Inez Tenenbaum advised parents in a blog post to take Chinese made jewelry away from their kids. 

Tenenbaum's warning, as well as the legislation put forth by Schumer and Alesi, came after the Associated Press reported that children’s jewelry from China was made with cadmium. According to the Associated Press, the most contaminated piece analyzed for its investigation contained a whopping 91 percent cadmium by weight. Other pieces of jewelry tested at 89 percent, 86 percent and 84 percent by weight. Overall, 12 percent of 103 pieces of jewelry contained at least 10 percent cadmium.

Unfortunately, the CPSC has no restrictions on using cadmium in children’s jewelry. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 set the first explicit regulation of jewelry, but that only applies to painted toys. And despite periodic complaints about the toxin over the past couple of years, the CPSC has never issued a recall because of cadmium.

Drop side cribs are 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. In many instances, children have been injured and even killed after becoming entrapped in a gap between the side rail and headboard of a drop side crib.More than 5 million drop side cribs have been recalled over the past two years alone, and such cribs have been connected with the deaths of a dozen young children.

Last November, following a massive recall of Stork Craft drop side cribs that had been implicated in the suffocation deaths of four children, the head of the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) advised that parents and caregivers abandon drop side cribs. Inez Tenenbaum also admitted that her agency’s track record on crib safety hasn’t exactly been stellar.

At the time, Tenenbaum said the CPSC would be proposing new mandatory crib regulations in the next few months, but said she did “not think drop-sides will be a part of cribs in the future.”

This latest recall involves about 1,000 “Diane” cribs distributed by Caramia Furniture and Mother Hubbard Cupboard’s, of Ontario, Canada. The cribs were manufactured between September 2002 and June 2004. A label affixed to the inside of the headboard or footboard lists the manufacturing dates. These cribs were sold at Buy Buy Baby and juvenile product and mass merchandise stores nationwide from September 2002 through December 2005 for between $240 and $370.

According to the CPSC, there have 18 reports of slats detaching from the rails of the Diane drop side crib, putting children at risk of a fall or becoming entrapped. No injuries have been reported.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Diane crib and contact Caramia Furniture to receive a free replacement drop side. The free replacement will be available beginning March 2010. For additional information, contact Caramia at (877) 728-0342 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.caramiafurniture.com.

“I have a message for parents, grandparents and caregivers: Do not allow young children to be given or to play with cheap metal jewelry, especially when they are unsupervised,” Tenenbaum wrote in a blog on Thursday. Tenenbaum cited an Associated Press investigation that found Chinese-made children's jewelry contained cadmium, a toxic metal.

Chinese manufacturers likely switched to using cadmium in the jewelry because they are barred from using lead, the Associated Press said. But cadmium is every bit as dangerous. Cadmium is a known carcinogen, and can interfere with brain development in very young children. 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.

According to the Associated Press, the most contaminated piece analyzed for its investigation contained a whopping 91 percent cadmium by weight. Other pieces of jewelry tested at 89 percent, 86 percent and 84 percent by weight. Overall, 12 percent of 103 pieces of jewelry contained at least 10 percent cadmium.

Unfortunately, the CPSC has no restrictions on using cadmium in children’s jewelry. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 set the first explicit regulation of jewelry, but that only applies to painted toys. And despite periodic complaints about the toxin over the past couple of years, the CPSC has never issued a recall because of cadmium.

The CPSC has launched an investigation since the publication of the Associated Press report.

Cadmium is a known carcinogen, and can interfere with brain development in very young children. 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 spite of its high toxicity, there are no restrictions on cadmium content on jewelry, and the sale of these products is perfectly legal. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 set the first explicit regulation of jewelry, but that only applies to painted toys. And despite periodic complaints about the toxin over the past couple of years, the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has never issued a recall because of cadmium.

According to the Associated Press, Chinese manufacturers likely switched to using cadmium in the jewelry because they are barred from using lead.

Some of the pieces with the highest cadmium content included bracelet charms sold at Wal-Mart, at the jewelry chain Claire’s and at dollar stores, as well as “The Princess and the Frog” pendants. Other findings included the fact that the toxic cadmium shed easily from some pieces, increasing the danger to children.

According to the Associated Press, the CPSC said it would be opening an investigation into the matter immediately. Inez Tenenbaum, head of the agency, also addressed the controversy in taped remarks slated to be delivered Tuesday in Hong Kong, and urged other countries to ensure that manufacturers do not substitute cadmium, antimony or barium in place of lead in children’s products. The Associated Press reported that Tenenbaum singled out cadmium, buts stressed that voluntary efforts to restrict its use might not be enough.

A day after the Associated Press published its report on cadmium tainted jewelry, a Wal-Mart spokesperson said the findings were “troubling”, and the retailer began pulling the items cited in the Associated Press report.

This recall involves computers with model numbers Acer AS3410, AS3410T, AS3810T, AS3810TG, AS3810TZ and AS3810TZG. The computer’s screen size is about 13.3 inches measured diagonally. 

According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), an internal microphone wire under the notebook computers’ palm rest can short circuit and overheat. Acer has received three reports of computers short circuiting, resulting in slight melting of the external casing. None of these incidents occurred in the U.S., and none resulted in injury.

The recalled notebook computers were sold at ABS Computer Technologies, D&H Distributing, Fry’s Electronics, Ingram Micro, Radio Shack, SED/American Express, Synnex Corporation, SYX Distribution, Tech Data Corporation and other retailers nationwide and on Amazon.com from June 2009 through October 2009 for between $650 and $1,150.

For additional information, and to find out if your computer is included in the recall, contact Acer toll-free at (866) 695-2237 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.acer.com.

Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.  In children and fetuses, lead exposure can cause brain and nervous system damage, behavioral and learning problems, slowed growth, hearing problems, headaches, mental and physical retardation, and behavioral and other health problems. Lead is known to cause cancer and reproductive harm and, in adults, can damage the nervous system

This recall involves about 204,000 "Big Rex and Friends" Cloth Books imported by St. Martin’s Press LLC, of New York, N.Y. The books were sold at Barnes & Noble, Toys “R” Us, Amazon, Borders and other bookstores and retailers nationwide from May 2004 through October 2009 for about $9.

The recalled books have a black and white striped border with a red dinosaur on the cover. The words “Big Rex and Friends” are printed on the cover. ISBN 031249260X or 9780312492601 is printed on the back of the book. .

Consumers should immediately take the recalled book away from children and contact St. Martin’s Press for instructions on returning the book for a full refund. For additional information, contact St. Martin’s Press at (800) 347-9411 or visit the firm’s Web site at www.priddybooks.com/recall.

The recalled Safety 1st Disney Care Center™ Play Yards and Eddie Bauer Complete Care Play Yards were manufactured in China and imported by the Dorel Juvenile Group Inc., of Columbus, Indiana.

The one-piece metal bars supporting the floorboard of the bassinet attachment can come out of the fabric sleeves, creating an uneven sleeping surface, which poses a risk of suffocation or positional asphyxiation. To date, no incidents or injuries have been reported.

The play yards are portable and were sold with a bassinet attachment and a built-in changing station. Models included in this recall are 05025, 05026, 05037, 05088, and 05350. The model number is printed on a sticker on one of the support legs underneath the play yard. The words “Safety 1st” or “Eddie Bauer” are printed near the bottom of the fabric sides of the play yards.

The recalled play yards were sold at Babies “R” Us, Kmart, Sears, Target, and Walmart from January 2007 through October 2009 for between $100 and $130.

The CPSC is advising consumers to immediately stop using the bassinet attachment to the play yard and contact Dorel Juvenile Group for a free repair kit including replacement bassinet fabric, bassinet bars and installation instructions. Dorel Juvenile Group can be reached toll-free at 1-866-762-2166 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time, Friday, or at the firm’s Web site www.djgusa.com

We have been following the issue of defective and, sometimes, dangerous imports making their way into this country from China. The recalled Safety 1st Disney Care Center™ Play Yards and Eddie Bauer Complete Care Play Yards is just one of many recalls and issues concerning defective products, food, and medicines imported into this country from China. In 2008, nearly 80 percent of all product recalls in the U.S. involved imports from China. Products such as dog food, baby formula, toys with lead paint, and even pharmaceuticals like heparin were found to have been made with toxic materials and other counterfeit ingredients that have long put American consumers at significant health risks.

Also making news is the ongoing and massive Chinese drywall disaster involving imports from that country.

The power connector for the dehumidifier’s compressor can short circuit, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers. To date, LG has received 11 reports of property damage incidents involving arcing, heat, and smoke, including 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 sold under the brand names, model numbers, and serial number ranges listed below. 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. The recalled Portable Dehumidifiers sold nationwide from January 2007 through June 2008 for between $140 and $150:

Goldstar: Model Number GHD30Y7, sold at Home Depot:

• Serial number range: 611TAxx00001~08400, 611TAxx08401~40600, 612TAxx00001~20400, and 612TAxx21001~30600.

Goldstar: Model number DH305Y7, sold at Wal-Mart:

• Serial number range: 612TAxx00001~00600, 701TAxx00001~16800, and 702TAxx00001~03000.

Comfort-Aire: Model number BHD-301-C, sold at Heat Controller Inc.:

• Serial number ranges: 611TAxx00001~01697, 612TAxx00001~04200, 701TAxx00001~00578, and 710TAxx00001~00599.

The CPSC and Health Canada are advising 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. LG can be reached toll-free at 1-877-220-0479 between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday and between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Central Time on Saturday for the location of an authorized LG service center for the repair. Consumers can also visit the firm’s Web site at www.30pintdehumidifierrecall.com

We have been following the issue of defective and, sometimes, dangerous imports making their way into this country from China. The recalled 98,000 Portable Dehumidifiers, which were manufactured by LG Electronics Tianjin Appliance Co., of China, is just one of many recalls and issues concerning defective products, food, and medicines imported into this country from China. In 2008, nearly 80 percent of all product recalls in the U.S. involved imports from China. Products such as dog food, baby formula, toys with lead paint, and even pharmaceuticals like heparin were found to have been made with toxic materials and other counterfeit ingredients that have long put American consumers at significant health risks. Also making news is the ongoing and massive Chinese drywall disaster involving imports from that country.

The penalty settlement, which has been provisionally accepted by the Commission, resolves CPSC staff allegations that RC2 Corp. and one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Learning Curve Brands Inc., knowingly—as defined by the Consumer Product Safety Act—imported and sold various Thomas & Friends™ Wooden Railway toys with paints or other surface coatings that contained lead levels above legal limits.

In 1978, a federal ban was put in place that prohibited toys and other children’s articles from having more than 0.06 percent lead—by weight—in paints or surface coatings. As a result of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, the regulatory limit was reduced to 0.009 percent on August 14, 2009.

In children and fetuses, lead exposure can cause brain and nervous system damage, behavioral and learning problems, slowed growth, hearing problems, headaches, mental and physical retardation, and behavioral and other health problems. Lead is known to cause cancer and reproductive harm and, in adults, can damage the nervous system. Once poisoned by lead, no organ system is immune. Lead poisoning is difficult to recognize because it manifests with subtle symptoms and there are no definitive indicators that point to contamination. When faced with peculiar symptoms that do not match any one particular disease, lead poisoning should be considered.

CPSC staff alleged that RC2 failed to take adequate action to ensure that the toys would comply with the lead paint ban. This failure created a risk of lead poisoning and adverse health effects to children.

In May 2007, RC2 reported that more than two dozen styles of vehicles, buildings, and other train set components from the Thomas & Friends™ Wooden Railway product line were determined to have paints with lead levels that exceeded the then-applicable regulatory limit of 0.06 percent. Later, in August and September 2007, RC2 further reported that five additional toys from this product line were determined to have exceeded this limit.
This civil penalty settles the following allegations:

• RC2 imported up to 1.5 million units of non-compliant Thomas & Friends™ Wooden Railway toys between January 2005 and June 2007, and distributed them to its retail customers for sale to U.S. consumers. These toys were recalled in June 2007 (see the recall notice at: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07212.html).

• RC2 imported up to 200,000 units of five additional non-compliant toys from this product line between March 2003 and April 2007, and distributed them to its retail customers for sale to U.S. consumers. In September 2007, the original June 2007 recall was expanded to include these additional units (expanded recall notice can be accessed at: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07308.html).

“The highly publicized recall of Thomas & Friends™ Wooden Railway toys was a catalyst for Congressional action aimed at strengthening CPSC and making the lead-in-paint limits under federal law even stricter,” said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. The settlement also resolves other potential matters. In agreeing to the settlement, RC2 denies that it knowingly violated federal law, as alleged by CPSC staff.

Meanwhile, in 2007, over six million toys were recalled because of lead; the highest number ever due to product defects. Potentially dangerous toys remained on store shelves several times during that year and by the time that year’s holiday season hit—the busiest selling time for toy companies—the CPSC had recalled 75 brands of toys. Of those, 39 recalls were implemented due to lead exposure.

This is the second recall concerning Corvette roofs in recent years. Back in 2006 GM recalled 30,793 2005-06 Corvettes due to concerns that the adhesive between the roof panel and frame could separate in hot/humid environments. 

According to the recall notice, the adhesive between the roof panel and the frame may separate. If there is a complete separation, the roof panel on the Corvette may detach from the vehicle. If the car is being driven when this occurs, the roof could strike a following vehicle and cause injury and property damage.

If there is a partial separation, the driver may notice one or more symptoms, such as a snapping noise when driving over bumps, wind noise, poor roof panel fit, roof panel movement or bounce when a door or hatch is closed, or a water leak in the headliner.

General Motors dealers will fix the problem by installing a new roof panel of different design starting in January. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or at www.GMOwnerCenter.com for additional information on this recall WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Concerns over the possible health consequences of cell phone use are growing. Just this past October, we reported that a preliminary analysis of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) groundbreaking Interphone study found a “significantly increased risk” of some brain tumors “related to use of mobile phones for a period of 10 years or more.”

Last month, the Washington D.C. Court of Appeals  reversed a lower court decision that found that cell phone cancer lawsuits were preempted by federal law.   While the appeals court ruled that plaintiffs could not pursue claims that they were injured by phones which met the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) emissions standards, it ruled that personal injury claims were not pre-empted if they were based on phones that were either built before 1996, when the FCC purportedly began applying its radiation limits to cell phones, or failed to meet the commission’s requirements.  

The decision came in a case called Murray v. Motorola, and involves Verizon, Motorola, AT&T, Sprint, Nokia and other cell phone providers. The plaintiffs had claimed that they or their loved ones suffered illness, including brain cancer, as a result of the use of cell phones manufactured, sold or distributed by the defendants. They also alleged that defendants have long been aware of numerous studies revealing that radio frequency radiation from cell phones can cause tissue destruction, a precursor to cancer.