CPSC Votes to Sue Britax Over B.O.B. Strollers
Last Friday, the CPSC voted to sue Britax Child Safety, Inc. to force the company to recall various models of single and double B.O.B. jogging strollers. The one-count administrative complaint alleges that the strollers present a substantial product hazard under Section 15(a)(2) of the Consumer Product Safety Act because they contain a product defect that presents a substantial risk of injury to the public.
The CPSC claims that the three-wheel strollers’ quick release mechanism can fail to secure the front wheel to the fork, allowing that front wheel to detach during use. Furthermore, due to the design of the stroller, consumers are allegedly likely to believe that the wheel is secured when it is not. The CPSC states that it has received over 200 reports of incidents since January 2012 – 97 of which resulted in injuries, some severe, to 50 children and 47 adults. In a press release on the B.O.B. website, Britax counters that the strollers are safe when used as instructed and do not contain a defect. The company points out that the QR mechanism is “widely-used” in bicycles and strollers, and front wheel detachments only occur when wheels are installed improperly – and contrary to available written and video instructions.
The complaint requests a finding that the strollers present a “substantial product hazard” under the CPSA and an order Britax that implement a corrective action plan that includes initiating a stop-sale, notifying consumers and the public of the recall, and providing a remedy. The Commissioners voted to approve the complaint along party lines, with Acting Chairman Ann Marie Buerkle opposing the filing. As we have previously reported, the Commission’s priorities could shift if she and Republican nominee Dana Baiocco are confirmed.
Under the CPSA, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers have an obligation to report to the CPSC as soon as they obtain information that reasonably supports the conclusion that a consumer product contains a defect that could create a substantial product hazard, or creates an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death. The CPSC takes this reporting obligation very seriously, and staff do not hesitate to reach out to companies after receiving a number of consumer complaints related to a single consumer product (or set of products).