The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighCPSC·78056·Announced 1978-06-28

Bernina Sewing Machines Recalled for Foot Pedal Overheating and Fire Risk

Bernina is voluntarily correcting Type 213 foot pedals on sewing machines made between late 1969 and January 1976 due to overheating and fire risks.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

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 risk of fire and short circuit, which constitutes a risk-of-harm product where injury has not yet been reported, aligning with the High severity criteria.

Plain-English summary

Bernina Sewing Machines of Switzerland, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), has announced a voluntary corrective action program for Type 213 foot pedals found on Bernina sewing machines manufactured between late 1969 and January 1976. The foot pedal, which acts as a speed regulator, may overheat if an internal switch remains in a "closed" position. This overheating increases the possibility of a short circuit or fire within the pedal.

According to Bernina, no injuries have been reported in connection with the sewing machines sold with this specific foot pedal. To address the issue, Bernina is providing a free, easy-to-install kit containing a thermally activated switch to replace the existing switch in the Type 213 black foot pedals. Pedals stamped with a blue "T" already contain the necessary switch and are not affected.

Owners of these sewing machines will be notified directly by the company via letter. Consumers are urged to unplug the machine when not in use and avoid placing foreign objects on or near the foot pedal as a safety precaution. Those who have not been notified or have questions should contact their local Bernina retailer or one of Bernina's four American distributors: Larson Bernina Corporation in Minneapolis, MN; Swiss-Bernina Inc. in Hinsdale, IL; Bernina Sewing Machine Company, Inc. in North Salt Lake, UT; or Bernina Distributors, Inc. in Los Angeles, CA.

The recalled product

Product
Bernina Sewing Machines
Manufacturer
Bernina
Category
Consumer Product — Sewing Machines
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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