According to the CPSC, six and 12 volt Power Wheels vehicles—power driven cars and trucks designed for children ages 2 to 7—have defective wiring causing two problems in the vehicles. Specifically, the agency claims that the electrical components on the vehicles can short circuit, overheat, melt, or otherwise fail, and that this electrical failures have been linked to fires in the vehicles. In addition, the agency says that wiring problems can prevent the vehicles from stopping, creating the potential for collisions with stationary objects. The agency is concerned that both conditions can lead to serious injuries, including death. The vehicles were sold between 1984 and 1998.
The CPSC sought a civil fine from the toy maker when the agency determined that Fisher Price failed to report various injuries involving the motorized vehicles as required by federal law. According to the agency, between 1996 and 1998 the manufacturer received reports of more than 1,800 incidents involving electrical component failures and 116 fires involving the vehicles. At least nine burn injuries and $300,000 in property damage at 22 residences have been linked to the incidents. Moreover, the CPSC claims that Fisher Price was aware of at least 71 incidents involving stopping problems in the vehicles, resulting in six injuries where the vehicles hit a stationary object.
The agency claims that despite the fact that Fisher Price knew about the problem as early as 1996, it did not report the information to the CPSC until 1997, when the agency requested the information as part of a formal investigation. Furthermore, the agency contends that the manufacturer only supplied partial responses in 1997, and that it did not fully comply with the investigation until more than a year later.
Fisher Price has publicly stated that it settled the claim to avoid incurring related litigation expenses, despite the fact that the company recalled about 1 million Power Wheels in 1998. The company denies that Power Wheels are defective or that the pose an unreasonable risk of harm. The company also denies that it violated any federal reporting requirements related to product defects.
The 1998 recall involved nearly 100 models of Power Wheels manufactured before 1998. The recall was based on more than 700 reports received by the agency and the manufacturer of electrical failure and overheating, including 150 vehicle fires. If you have one of these older Power Wheels, Fisher Prices suggests that you take the batteries out and do not use the vehicle. Fisher Price has offered a free repair of the vehicles, including the installation of new parts, and a free inspection and vehicle tune up.
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