Recall recap: Ford Escape, Target flashlights, IKEA highchairs and useless bicycle helmets

Problems with older models prompted Ford Motor Company to issue two massive recalls of Ford Escape, Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles. And some recalled products did the exact opposite of what they are designed to do: Target recalled flashlight sets for posing a fire hazard; IKEA recalled highchairs for fall hazard; and Triple Eight recalled children's bike helmets for failing to meet impact resistance standards. For more on these and other recalls, read on.

Auto recalls

Ford Motor Company issued two massive recalls this week. The first recall involves nearly 206,000 2004-2005 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles. The converter output shaft on these autos may fail, causing them to stop while in motion, posing a crash risk. The second Ford recall affects nearly 245,000 2001-2002 Ford Escapes. A leak in the brake fluid cap may corrode the electrical connector, causing melting, smoke or a fire. Owners may contact the Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at (866) 436-7332.           

In home products

Target Corporation voluntarily recalled 55,000 6-piece LED flashlight sets because they can overheat, smoke or melt, posing fire and burn hazards. Target has received four such incident reports, including two minor burn injuries to consumer's hands. The sets have UPC code 490021010049 and were sold at Target stores nationwide from October 2010 through December 2011. For a replacement, check out our Flashlight report.

IKEA issued a recall on 133,000 ANTILOP highchairs sold in the United States, because the high chair's restraint buckle can open unexpectedly, posing a fall hazard to the child. IKEA has received eight reports worldwide of failing restraint buckles, including three reports of children who received minor injuries after falling out. Consumers may contact IKEA at (866) 966-4532 to obtain a free replacement seat restraint.      To avoid the issue completely, read the ConsumerSearch report on top-rated high chairs. 

Bike safety

If you like to bike with your child, make sure to check your garage for the following products:

• Failure to meet impact resistance standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission made Triple Eight recall 30,400 children and youth bicycle helmets. The defective helmets may increase the risk of head injury in a fall.  Consumers may contact Triple Eight at (888) 548-8518 for a full refund.  If you feel safer using a replacement helmet, we ranked the best in our bicycle helmet report.
• Additionally Chariot Carriers recalled 4,000 bicycle trailers and 70,000 bicycle trailer conversion kits because the hitch mechanisms can crack and break, causing the trailer to detach from the bicycle, posing an injury hazard to children. Consumers may contact Chariot Carriers at (800) 262-8651 for a free repair kit.

Bad cheese

Alpine Slicing and Cheese issued three recalls on several of its cheese products, sold by various local supermarkets in numerous states, because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The cheeses in the three recalls included:

• Edelweiss Creamery Premium Fondue Blend;  
• Brennan's Cellars Shredded Premium Fondue Blend -- Emmentaler Swiss & Gruyere Cheese, Brennan's Cellars Shredded Mild Colored Cheddar Cheese, and Brennan's Cellars Shredded Part Skim Mozzarella Cheese;
• HEB Queso Cotija (Grated), El Viajero Queso Quesadilla (Shredded), El Viajero Queso Cotija (Grated), and BMF Queso Quesadilla (Shredded).

What should you do?

If you own any of these products, check the product code against the specific product codes found on the manufacturer's recall press release, which we have linked to above for each individual recall. For details on these and other recalls, including product recall press releases, how to obtain a refund or manufacturer's recommendations to obtain a fix for your product's problem, the U.S. government maintains an online recall clearinghouse at Recalls.gov for six of its agencies that issue recalls.

For any recalled product, the CPSC recommends consumers stop using it right away. And remember, it's illegal to knowingly resell or attempt to resell any recalled product.