About 400,000 patio umbrellas sold at retailer Costco are being recalled because of a malfunction that can cause the items to catch on fire, according to a federal agency.
The umbrellas were manufactured in China, according to the CPSC. They were imported into the United States via SunVilla Corp., a firm based in California.
“The lithium-ion batteries in the umbrella’s solar panels can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards,” the agency said in the announcement.
It also states that SunVilla “received six reports of the lithium-ion batteries overheating,” noting that it “includes three reports of solar panels catching fire while charging via the AC adapter indoors and two reports of umbrellas catching fire when the solar panel puck overheated and caught fire while attached to the umbrella and one smoke inhalation injury.”
The CPSC recommended that consumers stop using the products immediately and remove the solar panel puck that contains the lithium-ion battery from the top of the umbrella. The puck should then be stored away from the sun and away from material that can catch on fire. Consumers also shouldn’t charge it with the AC adapter.
The umbrellas were only sold at Costco stores across the United States and Canada, the agency stated. They were sold between December 2020 and May 2022 for $130 to $160.
More than 400,000 were sold in the United States, and 33,000 were sold in Canada, according to the notice.
“Consumers can return the umbrellas and solar puck to any Costco Warehouse nationwide for a full refund. Consumers unable to return the product to Costco can contact the firm for instructions on how to receive a refund. SunVilla and Costco are contacting all known purchasers,” the announcement reads.
“In the affected vehicles, it is possible that the high voltage battery main contactors may overheat, which can result in an open contactor or welding condition. Should the contactors weld closed while driving, a powertrain malfunction warning light will be illuminated on the next drive cycle, along with a no-start condition,” the company wrote in a letter.
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