Question

Mattel manufactured and sold the Jeep Wrangler Power Wheel mini-car for children. 150 caught on fire and thousands overheated. Upon learning of the defect, how long did Mattel have to report it to the Consumer Product Safety Commission?

Answer 1

Manufacturers, like Mattel, are obliged to report defects that could cause harm to consumers to the Consumer Product Safety Commission typically within 24 hours per U.S. requirements. The actual reporting timeline for the overheating issue of Mattel's Power Wheels is not specified, but timely reporting is critical for consumer safety and to avoid legal penalties.

Step-by-step explanation:

Upon discovering a defect in a product that could be harmful to consumers, such as the Jeep Wrangler Power Wheel mini-car by Mattel that caught on fire or overheated, companies are typically required to report this information to the appropriate regulatory body promptly. In the United States, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) oversees the safety of consumer products.

While the specific information regarding Mattel's reporting timeline for the overheating issue is not provided, manufacturers are generally required to report potentially hazardous product defects within 24 hours after they obtain information that reasonably supports the conclusion that a product does not comply with a CPSC rule, standard, regulation, or that it contains a defect that could create a substantial product hazard or an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death. Failure to report in a timely manner can lead to legal penalties, and it underscores the importance of swift action to ensure consumer safety.