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CPSC, Empire Industries Announce Recall of Children's Riding Vehicles

U.S. CPSCFireAug 31, 2000
Recalled children's riding vehicle
Recalled children's riding vehicle

Photos from the official notice: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission · image rights

Hazard

The vehicles' battery chargers can overheat, presenting fire and injury hazards to children.

Remedy

Consumers should stop using the vehicles immediately. Empire Industries is no longer in business and cannot provide charger adapters or other replacement parts. Consumers should discontinue use of these products, and discard or destroy them.

Incidents & injuries

CPSC and Empire have received about 100 reports of chargers overheating, melting or burning. Five house fires have been reported, resulting in at least $100,000 in property damage. One child and one adult received burns to hands on overheated charger jacks.

Product description

The recalled battery-powered children's riding vehicles were marketed as "Power Drivers" or "Buddy L" and are powered by two 6-volt batteries, and were manufactured from July 1995 to December 1996. The vehicles are made of plastic and were sold under the following model names: Go-Kart, Beach Splash, Sun Dream, Trail Tracker, Rescue Patrol, and Chevy Z-71 Pick-Up Truck. The model name "Power Drivers" or "Buddy L" appear on each vehicle. The company will help consumers identify if their model is part of the recall. Power Driver vehicles are intended for children 3 to 8 years old, and the vehicles' speed ranges from 2.5 to 5 mph, depending on the model.

Sold on

Toy stores and retail catalogs sold the vehicles nationwide, from July 1995 through December 1997, for about $130 to $250.

Contact the company

The firm is out of business. Consumers should call the CPSC hotline at 800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054).

What should I do?

Stop using the product and follow the remedy below. Contact the company for a refund, repair or replacement — recall remedies are free.

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