CPSC, Firms Announce Recall of Remote Controlled Toy Race Cars and Galileo Weather Thermometers
Kids’ product recall 01-166. Announced by CPSC on Jun 19, 2001.
- CPSC: stop using it
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. CPSC’s own notice is on cpsc.gov.
The short answer
Announced by CPSC on Jun 19, 2001. Copied from CPSC on Oct 19, 2026.
- Stop using it what CPSC tells owners to do now (needs attention)
- About 4,300 Remote Controlled Race Cars and 28,000 Galileo thermometers units, as CPSC gives them
- Reported injuries, in the notice (needs attention)
Every line below is in CPSC’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
Problems with the circuits are rendering some of the Remote Controlled Race Cars inoperable. These cars can overheat and emit smoke and may pose a potential burn hazard. The thermometers contain a liquid that is flammable and a hazardous substance that could be harmful or fatal if swallowed.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What should you do?
Consumers should stop using these cars immediately, remove the batteries from the remote controlled race cars and the remote controls and return the remote controlled race cars and remote controls to the Texaco station where purchased, for a full refund. Consumers also may return the items for a full refund, by obtaining a prepaid shipping label by calling Equity Marketing Inc. Consumers should stop using these thermometers immediately and return them to the Christmas Tree Shops Inc. where purchased, for a refund.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: Consumers may call Equity Marketing Inc. at (888) 747-4355 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or by writing to Remote Controlled Car Recall, Equity Marketing, Inc. at 6330 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048. For more information, consumers may also visit the firm’s website at www.equity-marketing.com. For more information, consumers should call Christmas Tree Shops Inc. at (800) 876-9677 anytime, or visit the firm’s website at www.christmastreeshops.com
Which ones are recalled?
The remote controlled race cars are black with the number 28 printed in red on the doors and roof and the Texaco logo printed on the hood of the car. The cars are about 8 inches long by 3 inches wide and 2 inches high. A black cordless remote control is sold with the cars and reads in part “FORWARD,” and “REVERSE” in yellow print. The thermometers are made of glass. They are cylinder-shaped, measuring about 17 inches high. Inside the cylinder are floating small glass spheres filled with various colors of liquid. Attached to each sphere is a metal disk with different temperatures embossed on both sides. The spheres float up and down within the cylinder to identify a temperature based on their position within the cylinder. A small gold sticker that says “Made in China” is on the bottom of the cylinder.
About 4,300 Remote Controlled Race Cars and 28,000 Galileo thermometers units, as CPSC gives them.
Remote Controlled Toy Race Cars and Galileo Weather Thermometers.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
CPSC’s photos
CPSC shows 2 photos on its notice. Hearth Record doesn’t copy them; each opens on cpsc.gov.
Who made and sold it?
- Distributed by Equity Marketing Inc., Los Angeles, Calif.
- Distributed by Nantucket Distributing Co. Inc., South Yarmouth, Mass.
- Participating Texaco gas stations nationwide sold the cars under the “Need for Speed” promotion, from May 2001 through June 1, 2001, for about $12, with any $10 purchase.
- The Christmas Tree Shops Inc. in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Albany, New York sold these thermometers, from June 2000 through December 2000, for $12.99.
- Made in China, as the notice gives it.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Was anyone hurt?
Equity Marketing Inc. has received three reports of the toy cars emitting smoke. No injuries have been reported. CPSC and Nantucket Distributing Co. Inc. have received five reports of thermometers breaking resulting in two injuries. A man suffered burns to his hands when the thermometer broke near a stove and ignited his clothing. Another man suffered smoke inhalation when extinguishing a fire caused by candles igniting a broken thermometer.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- The notice lists no UPCs, so check the model, the description and the photos.
- The notice lists no model numbers in a field of their own; its description may give them.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Recalls API.
Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.
Recalls of kids’ and home products are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record. Copied on Oct 19, 2026.