July 30, 2004
More than 500,000 combination TV/VCRs are being recalled because the cabinets can break when lifted by the ventilation holes in the top rear of the cabinet, permitting the TV/VCR to fall and injure hands and feet.
The units carry Panasonic, Quasar, RCA, and JCPenney brands. They were manufactured by Matsushita Electric Corporation.
About 10 incidents have been reported in which the TV/VCR cabinet broke at the ventilation holes when lifted or carried, resulting in the TV/VCR dropping to the floor. Minor cuts and bruises have been reported in four incidents.
The recalled combination TV/VCRs are gray/black. The cabinets have ventilation holes in the top rear of the cabinet. Only the 13 and 20 Combination TV/VCR sets manufactured between January 1, 1995, and December 30, 1995, are recalled. These sets can be identified by the model number which appears on the front and rear of the cabinet. The following model numbers are included in this recall:
Brand | Model |
|---|---|
| Panasonic | 13-inch models: PV-M1325, PV-M1345, PVM1365AD, AG-513B 20-inch models: PV-M2025, PV-M2035, PV-M2045, PV-M2065, AG-520B |
| Quaser | 13-inch model: VV-1305 20-inch models: VV-2005T, VV-2005, VV-2025 |
| Thomson (RCA) | 13-inch models: T13015BC, T13018BC 20-inch models: T20015BC, T20018BC, T20020BC |
| JCPenney | 20-inch model: 685-0879 |
The units were sold by retail stores nationwide from January 1995 through December 1996 for between $300 and $490, depending on the model.
Consumers should contact Panasonic, Quasar, RCA, and JCPenney to receive a free retrofit kit to cover the ventilation holes and prevent lifting from this area. Call Panasonic at (800) 833-9626 between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday. Visit Panasonics web site at www.Panasonic.com.
The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
