The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·05561·Announced 2005-04-06

L.L. Bean Recalls Folding Director's Chairs Due to Frame and Seat Failures

L.L. Bean is recalling approximately 3,500 director's chairs and replacement seats because wooden dowels, fabric, or frames can break, causing occupants to fall.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural defect in a consumer product that poses a risk of harm (falling) and has resulted in multiple reported falls, but the source explicitly states that no injuries have been reported, fitting the 'High' severity criteria for risk-of-harm products where injury has not yet been reported.

Plain-English summary

L.L. Bean Inc. is recalling approximately 3,500 director's chairs and replacement padded seats sold between February 2004 and September 2004. The recalled chairs are folding models with solid natural-colored wood frames and cotton duck fabric seats in navy, red, green, or natural colors. Affected models include XS78 and VU67 for the chairs and XS79 for the replacement seats. The products were sold through the L.L. Bean catalog, website, and the flagship store in Freeport, Maine, for prices ranging from $29 to $79.

The recall is due to a structural defect where the wooden dowels in the fabric seats are too small and can break or slide out, the fabric can tear from the frame, or the chair frame can break at the backrest, armrest, or leg axis. These failures can cause the chair's occupant to fall to the floor. L.L. Bean received 10 reports of dowels breaking, two reports of fabric tearing, and four reports of frame breakage, which involved eight people falling from the chairs. The company has reported no injuries resulting from these incidents.

Consumers should stop using the recalled director's chairs and replacement seats immediately. To receive a full refund or an L.L. Bean gift certificate, customers should contact L.L. Bean toll-free at (800) 555-9717 or visit www.llbean.com/recall.

The recalled product

Product
Director's Chairs and Replacement Director's Chair Padded Seats
Category
Consumer Product — Furniture
Hazard
Affected units
3,500

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · structural failure

See all →