CPSC Announces Recall of Valvoline Brake Cleaner and Brake Parts Cleaner

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4, 2004 -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

  
  Name of products:  Pyroil(R) Brake Parts Cleaner and NAPA(R) Brake Cleaner

  Units:  2.8 million cans

Manufacturer: The Valvoline Company, a Division of Ashland Inc., of Lexington, Ky.

Hazard: The affected aerosol cans contain a defective spray valve that might stick when depressed, possibly emptying the can's flammable contents.

Incidents/Injuries: Valvoline has received nine complaints about sticking spray valves. One consumer was injured when the product sprayed into his eye.

Description: The recall involves 13-ounce cans of Pyroil(R) Non- Chlorinated Brake Parts Cleaner and NAPA(R) Non-Chlorinated Brake Cleaner. This product is used by professional mechanics as well as "do-it-yourself" consumers who perform brake repairs on their own vehicles. The recalled cans contain one of the following four digits in their date codes, which are found on the bottom of the cans:

   Pyroil (Part No. 4003)   NAPA (Part No. 4800)
   C014      F084           C024      E064
   C024      F094           C094      E144
   C184      F104           C184      E244
   C194      F234           C194      E254
   C304      F244           C224      F174
   D024      F284           C234      F184
   D034      G134           C304      G284
   D214      G144           C314      H124
   D224      G194           D014      H304
   D264      G294           D034      H314
   E104      H034           D054      I074
   F074      H194           E054      I084

Sold at: Auto parts retail stores nationwide from March 2004 through September 2004 for about $2.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled aerosol cans immediately and contact Valvoline for a free replacement.

Consumer Contact: For more information, consumers should call Valvoline at (800) 255-3533 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit their Web site at http://www.valvoline.com/.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $700 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products -- such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals -- contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270 or visit CPSC's Web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/.

Firm's Hotline: (800) 255-3533

CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772