The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereCPSC·86023·Announced 1986-04-10

Tatung Recalls 80,000 Nine-Inch Oscillating Desk Fans Due to Fire Hazard

Tatung is recalling 80,000 nine-inch desk fans sold in 1985 because a cord defect can cause the plastic case to catch fire.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a fire hazard with seven reported instances of the fan catching fire, which aligns with the rubric criterion for 'significant injury/property-damage reports' or high-risk fire hazards, warranting a Severe (4) rating.

Plain-English summary

The Tatung Company of America, Inc. is voluntarily recalling 80,000 nine-inch 2-speed oscillating desk fans in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). These fans were sold in 1985 under the Tatung brand (models LF-9GKA, LF-9BKA, LF-9GKP, LF-9BKP) and the Crosley brand (model CF-9T). The units were imported by Tatung and sold nationwide by various retail stores, typically for about twenty dollars.

The recall is due to a flexural cord failure that can occur after an unknown period of use. This failure can result in the fan stopping or the plastic case igniting. The CPSC staff identifies this as a fire hazard. In 1985, numerous incidents of fan failure were reported, including seven instances where the fan caught fire. While no injuries were reported, several fires occurred while consumers were asleep.

Consumers should check the decorative base plate for the Tatung or Crosley brand name and the bottom of the fan for the listed model numbers. Owners of recalled fans should stop using them immediately. To receive a free replacement fan motor and base assembly, owners should write to the Fan Recall Program at Tatung Company of America, Inc., 2350 El Presidio Street, Long Beach, California 90810, including their name and address. Questions can be directed to Tatung's toll-free hotline at 800-828-8641.

The recalled product

Product
Crosley nine-inch 2-speed oscillating desk fans
Manufacturer
Crosley
Category
Consumer Product — Small Home Appliances
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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