product recalls

‘Do Not Drive’ Warning Issued on Certain Popular Vehicles

February 15, 2023 | Kearns Rotolo Law

About 10 years ago, U.S. drivers were hit with the largest automotive recall in this country’s history over defective Takata airbags. Today, those who ignored that recall notice are receiving a “Do Not Drive” warning for certain popular Honda and Acura models.

The warning, which affects millions of vehicles, states that the airbags in certain older model cars, including Honda’s popular CR-V and Civic models, can explode when deployed after long-term exposure to high temperatures and humidity. The inflators in these airbags are at least 20 years old and have a 50-50 chance of erupting in even minor collisions causing serious injury and/or death. To learn more and to see if your car is among the models affected, read “’Do Not Drive’ Recall on 2 of NJ’s Most Popular Vehicles.”

What’s in Your Cup? Check Recall Notices to Make Sure It’s Safe

December 15, 2021 | The Victor Rotolo Law Firm

Before you put the finishing touches on your menus for the upcoming holidays, check recent recall notices to make sure everything you’ve included is safe for you and your guests to consume.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a voluntary recall of several popular beverage products distributed under the Minute Maid and Coca-Cola brands. The recall affects eight eastern states, including New Jersey, and was issued after these products were found to contain metal fragments. Exposure to the contaminated products could result in temporary medical problems. To see a list of the affected products, read “Metal Found In These Drinks Forces FDA Recall in CT, NY, NJ, PA.”

How Can You Be Sure That Product You’re Buying Is Safe?

May 15, 2021 | The Victor Rotolo Law Firm

Most consumers assume that before a product hits the store’s shelf it has been tested and has met established safety standards. Not necessarily.

According to a recent Consumer Reports article, the Consumer Protection Safety Commission oversees some 15,000 product categories; however, only about 70 of those categories are required to meet a mandatory safety standard, meaning they must comply with federally established safety requirements. The rest of the product categories are subject to voluntary, rather than mandatory, safety standards. Manufacturers of these products sometimes comply with the voluntary standards and sometimes they do not.

One way consumers can protect themselves against purchasing hazardous protects is to read the product label, although the references on these labels may not be clear. For explanations of some of the more common references and other ways you can tell if a product has been vetted, read “Is This Safe to Buy? How Dangerous Products Get—and Stay—on the Market.”

Latest Vehicle Recall Affects Our Youngest Drivers

February 15, 2019 | The Victor Rotolo Law Firm

Children love playing with cars, especially ones they can “drive” themselves. Toy vehicles present children with a great introduction to the rules of the road and the importance of mechanical upkeep. As adult drivers, we’re familiar with vehicle recalls for everything from airbags to tires and any number of other mechanical defects that could lead to injury. While some defects are more serious than others, adult drivers know the best response to a recall is to get the vehicle to the dealer or mechanic as soon as possible for repairs. That’s another lesson children can learn from one of the most recent recalls currently making the news.

Fisher-Price recently recalled thousands of one of its Barbie trademarked vehicles due to a faulty pedal. According to reports, the car continues to run even after the gas pedal has been released. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported as of yet due to this defect, but the toy manufacturer is urging parents to take the car away from their children until repairs can be made. For more details and information on how to have your child’s Barbie car repaired, read “Fisher-Price recalls 44,000 Barbie toy electric cars over faulty pedal.”