Haier 42-Inch LCD TVs recalled due to breaking stands

Consumer Reports News: October 03, 2012 04:38 PM

Find Ratings

Televisions

A safety recall warning has been issued for 42-inch LCD TVs made by Haier America, says the Consumer Product Safety Commission. About 5,000 of the flat-panel Haier TVs have stands that can crack or break during use, posing a risk falling and possibly injuring consumers.

According to the CPSC, Haier has received 184 consumer complaints of cracked stands with its LE42B1380 model, a 42-inch LCD TV sold at Fry's Electronics, other nationwide store chains and online retailers, such as Amazon.com, for about $450.

Consumer Reports tested both the 42-inch Haier L42B1180 and 55-inch Haier LE55B1381 LCD TVs which are of similar design. Those Haier TV sets are among the models near the bottom of our Ratings of TVs, but they aren't part of this official safety notice. It makes sense, however, that consumers should verify with Haier that their particular LCD TV model is not being recalled, say Consumer Reports experts.

Wall-mounted versions of the Haier LE42B1380 TVs shouldn't be affected either, says the CPSC. But with over 16,000 injuries and 200 deaths among children 5 years and younger from falling TVs and other furniture tip-overs during 2000 to 2008, the CPSC warns precautions should be taken with potentially unstable TVs.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Haier TVs, detach the LCD screen from the stand, and put both in a safe place. The CPSC says consumers should also contact Haier America (either at this toll-free number: 877-813-8516, or the company's website: www.haieramerica.com) to obtain a free replacement TV stand.

Haier America LCD TV model information (circled in red above) can be found on the back of the unit, printed on a label.