The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·89061·Announced 1989-06-27

Empire of Carolina Recalls Big Wheel Battery-Operated Ride-On Toys

Empire of Carolina is replacing the 'ON' switch on approximately 39,000 battery-operated ride-on toys sold nationwide from 1986 to 1988 because the switch can overheat or stick.

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 risk-of-harm product (ride-on toy) where injury has been reported (minor burns and loss of control), but no serious injuries or deaths are documented, fitting the 'High' severity criteria for reported minor injuries without critical harm.

Plain-English summary

Empire of Carolina, Inc. is offering to replace the 'ON' switch for approximately 39,000 battery-operated, Big Wheel-ride-on toys sold nationwide from 1986 through 1988. The affected models include the Kawasaki KLT 250 Prairie Big Wheel (item numbers 1215, 1220, and 1223) and the Sweet-Tee-Nuff Big Wheel (item number 1221). These three-wheel toys are decorated with decals reading 'Kawasaki' or 'Sweet-Tee-Nuff' and 'Electric Rechargeable.' Note that Kawasaki permits the use of its name but is not the manufacturer of the product.

The 'ON' switch, located on the handlebar, can overheat and may burn a child's hand. Additionally, the switch may become stuck in the 'ON' position, causing the operator to lose control of the riding toy, which can travel up to five mph. Empire of Carolina and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission are aware of five instances where the switch overheated or burned out, and one incident where the switch stuck, preventing the operator from stopping the toy. Two of these incidents involved minor burns from contact with the overheated switch.

Consumers should immediately discontinue using the battery-operated Big Wheel riding toy until the switch is replaced. Empire of Carolina will send a new switch and handlebar free of charge to all owners. This repair is necessary even if the switch was previously replaced. Owners should call Empire of Carolina toll-free at 1-800-334-5666, or collect at 919-823-4111 in North Carolina, and have the model name and number ready. Owners may also write to EMPIRE CAMPAIGN, c/o Empire of Carolina, Inc., P.O. Box 427, Daniel Street Extension, Tarboro, North Carolina 27886.

The recalled product

Product
Kawasaki Big Wheel battery-operated ride-on toys
Manufacturer
Empire of Carolina
Category
Consumer Product — Ride-on Toy
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · burn injury

See all →