By Rita Colorito on December 21, 2012 in

Doing laundry is never fun, and even less so with LG and Kenmore Elite top-loading machines, 457,000 which were recalled because the machines may shake excessively while in use, causing the drum to come loose, posing a risk of property damage and injury to the user. Honda recalled more than 800,000 older model Acura MDX, Odyssey, and Pilot vehicles because an ignition key problem may cause the car to roll while in park. And the FDA recalled one lot of Zicam Extreme Congestion Relief because a testing sample showed contamination with a bacterial organism.

For these and other recalls, read on.

Auto recalls

Honda issued a massive recall, 807,161 vehicles in all, on 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2003-2004 Odysseys and Pilots.  Ignition switch problems may cause the car to roll while in park, posing a crash and injury risk. Honda will notify owners beginning on, or about, February 7, 2013, and dealers will install an updated shift interlock lever, and replace the ignition switch free of charge if necessary.  Owners may contact Honda at (800) 999-1009.

Hyundai issued two recalls on 2012 Veloster vehicles:

  • On 13,500 vehicles manufactured from November 1, 2011 through April 17, 2012 and equipped with panoramic sunroofs. The panoramic glass panel may break while the vehicle is in motion posing an injury and crash risk; and
  • On 4,490 vehicles manufactured from July 2, 2011 through February 27, 2012 and equipped with manual transmissions. Moisture and road grime may cause the parking brake components to bind, posing a risk of injury or crash if the parking brake doesn't fully engage.

For both recalls, Hyundai will notify owners beginning in January 2013, and dealers will fix the issues free of charge. Owners may contact Hyundai at (800) 633-5151.

In consumer product recalls

LG Electronics recalled some 457,000 top-loading washing machines -- three LG and three Kenmore Elite models -- after 343 reports of washing machines vibrating excessively, causing the drum to come loose, including 187 reports of minor property damage and one minor injury. The LG models were sold at Best Buy, Home Depot, Kmart, Sears and local retailers nationwide. Kenmore Elite models were sold at Kmart and Sears. All were sold from April 2010 to December 2012. Consumers may contact LG at (855) 400-4639 or Sears at (888) 812-2935for a free in-home repair of the machine.

Christmas Tree Shops recalled 2,000 Catalina Outdoor Fireplace units because the glass components of can break when a fire is lit posing a burn and laceration hazard. Christmas Tree Shops has received three reports of the glass breaking, though no injuries. The recalled products were sold at Christmas Tree Shops retail locations from September 2011 to October 2012. Consumers may return the recalled fireplaces to any Christmas Tree Shop for a full refund.

Two mattress manufacturers recalled their products for failing to meet federal flammability standards:

  • Easy-Rest Mattresses, 3,800 Classic by Easy-Rest Foam Core Mattresses; and
  • American Mattress, 1,500 renovated (rebuilt) twin, full, queen and king-size mattresses, and mattresses with built-in Bunkie boards.

For buying tips on finding the best mattresses, consult our top picks.

In food and drug safety

  • Fiorucci Foods, approximately 2,650 pounds of mortadella, including 6-8 lb. bulk deli packages of Black Bear of the Black Forest Mortadella and 5-7 lb. bulk deli packages of Colosseum Mortadella, undeclared pistachio nuts;
  • Mattrixx Initiatives, 1 lot of Zicam Extreme Congestion Relief nasal gel, after a small amount of Burkholderia cepacia was found in one sample of the lot; 
  • Ocean Beauty Seafoods, 371 cases of ready-to-eat cold smoked salmon products, including Nathan's Brand 3oz Cold Smoked Atlantic Salmon and LASCCO Cold Smoked Nova Atlantic Salmon 4 oz, possible listeria contamination;
  • Taylor Farms Retail, 110 cases of Taylor Farms Hearts of Romaine 10 oz. bags with an expiration date of 12-13-12, possible listeria contamination; and
  • True Taste, vacuum packaged Hot Smoked Rainbow Trout, Hot Smoked Whitefish, Hot Smoked Herring, Hot Smoked Mackerel, Hot Smoked Salmon Steak, Cold Smoked Mackerel, and Cold Smoked Whitefish, botulism risk.

In other safety news

In response to consumer reports, though not a formal recall, Bugaboo is providing its customers with new and improved carry handles for the Bugaboo Cameleon and Bugaboo Donkey free of charge. The Bugaboo Cameleon carry handle is available now. The new carry handle for the Bugaboo Donkey will become available at the end of February 2013. The white button on the current carry handle may pop out when the Bugaboo Cameleon or Bugaboo Donkey bassinet/pram body is on the ground or on an unstable surface, which may cause the handle to detach on one side. Consumers may contact Bugaboo at (800) 460-2922 or at serviceus@bugaboo.com.

Tags: Recalls

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