Simplicity Crib Recall
Published: September 18th, 2008 • Comments: 34
About 600,000 Simplicity Drop Side Cribs were recalled Wednesday by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in cooperation with several retailers. The crib recall was issued due to a defect which could allow the drop side of the crib to detach, creating a hazardous gap that could allow an infant to become trapped or strangled.
The drop side cribs were manufactured by Simplicity, Inc. of Reading, Pennsylvania, which is no longer in business. Last month, about 900,000 Simplicity bassinets were recalled by retailers due to a risk of infant strangulation. The retailers agreed to accept returns after the U.S. CPSC was unable to obtain cooperation from SFCA, Inc., which is the company that purchased all of Simpliciy, Inc.’s assets at public auction in April 2008.
The Simplicity crib recall applies to models that were sold with model names such as Aspen and Crib N Changer Combo, Camille, Gabrielle, Shenandoah and Providence. However, the label on the headboard displays only the “Simplicity” brand name.
The cribs contain a sizing problem with the hardware, which could allow the drop side to come off of the tracks and detach or partially detach from the crib. This poses a serious risk of injury or death for any baby in the crib, as a large gap could result in which the infant’s head could become stuck.
Although no infant injuries have been associated with these Simplicity cribs, the U.S. CPSC and SFCA, Inc. are aware of at least nine incidents where the drop side detached on cribs that are part of this recall.
The Simplicity cribs were sold throughout the United States in children’s stores, department stores and mass merchandisers between January 2005 and August 2008 for prices between $150 and $300. The model numbers for the recalled Simplicity cribs include: 8620, 8745, 8748, 8755, 8756, 8778, 8810 and 8994. A label on the headboard just below the mattress support bears the date code which ends in 05GB, 05DH, 06GB, 06DH, 07GB or 07DH.
This is the third major Simplicity recall over the past 12 months.
In September 2007, approximately one million Simplicity cribs were recalled due to a similar problem caused by a different type of hardware. That crib recall, which was the largest in U.S. history, was associated with at least three infant deaths, 7 infant entrapments and 55 incidents with these cribs.
On August 28, 2008, a Simplicity bassinet recall was issued for 4-in-1 and 3-in-1 convertible close sleeper and bedside sleeper bassinets manufactured by Simplicity. These were sold under the Simplicity brand, as Graco bassinets and with “Winnie the Pooh” motifs. At least two infant deaths have been blamed on the defective Simplicity bassinets.
For this latest crib recall, consumers have been advised to immediately check their cribs and to stop using the drop side Simplicity cribs involved in this recall. A number of retailers have agreed to accept returns for refund or store credit, including: AAFES, Babies“R”Us, Burlington Coat Factory/Baby Depot, K’s Merchandise, Meijer Distribution Inc., Nebraska Furniture Mart, ShopKo, Target and Wal-Mart Stores .
Comment by Amanda on 18 September 2008:
I learned about this on the news and I want to know what is going to be done about the recall on the cribs a have the aspen crib and i am not sure what to do. I would also like a time line as to when i can exspect this to be resolved.
Comment by Vanessa on 21 October 2008:
I want an f==ing lawsuit.My son fell out of this thing and I hvae been through hell just trying to return it and guess what I still have it.What the f==k and I am expecting in june.
Comment by Johanna on 1 November 2008:
I am from Trinidad (West Indies) and purchased the Simplicity 8745 HC on 12 October 2007. When I purchased the crib, one of the track connectors in the package was broken and I have been since trying to source one. It was due to this that I noticed the RECALL. I really need to know what is being done for people who still have these cribs.
Comment by Tiffany on 4 November 2008:
The only way that I noticed the recall was because I had ordered replacement parts for other baby items. I then took the initiative to check any recalls on all of my baby items. The crib that I had, the Aspen 4-in-1, was the last item that I checked. I was glad that I checked this out because I found out that two infants were killed in the crib. It was a pain in the ass trying to return it, as I got it as a gift some six months ago. Yes, I purchased the crib WHILE there was a recall on it. Dunno how that happened, but I took pictures of the crib as proof that I have it.
Anyway, I would suggest anyone that has a Simplicity crib to go to simplicityforchildren.com and check the manufacturing numbers to make sure your crib was not the cribs involved. And if your crib IS, I would suggest taking pictures just like I did. And fight like hell to return it. I had to do that, and I find it unnecessary.
Comment by Kristen on 14 November 2008:
I also have the Aspen 4-in-1 crib and found out after owning it for 2 yrs. that it is recalled. I checked it out on http://www.cpsc.gov and they listed the model numbers and retailers that sold them. Simplicity has gone out of business, so you have to contact the retailer. I am working on returning it to Walmart. It was a bit of a hassle to find out what to do, but they are willing to give me a store credit which is great! I also contacted Target about it and that was very simple. Unfortunately, I need to replace the bed and Walmart has what I need instead of Target.
Comment by Rebecca on 31 December 2008:
We have two of the recalled Crib and Changer Combos for our twin 17 month olds. We purchased them in May of 07. I was sure something was wrong with these cribs when my babies kept getting their legs stuck and had bruises all over… and when I looked up the phone number on the internet to contact them about this, I found the recall. So now I am waiting on a call back from Shopko to find out what to do next. How do I get 2 fully assembled cribs to them and then get two more put back together… Ughhh what a pain… and I hope the return goes smoothly… and I am so grateful my babies havent been seriously hurt by this crib….
Comment by Tonya on 3 January 2009:
I am grateful to have a husband that pays attention to things like this because I am just finding out. Thank God my son did not get hurt but he very well could have and after losing two children already in a freak accident this would have been unthinkable. What do I do if I purchased this crib at a Big Lot and their name was not on this list.
Comment by toni on 5 January 2009:
I saw the add at a local walmart about the recall and checked my sons crib. Yep “lucky” us we had the one recalled. Upon returning it to our “freindly” local walmart my husband was treated like he was trying to pull something over on them. After he explained to them that we have had the crib for a year and we were not the ones that had a problem with the crib and it actually is a huge inconvience for our son to now sleep in a pack and play until we replace his crib. They kindly gave us a 132.00 gift card because they didnt have any replacements in the store and our sons entire room is furnished according to this crib. A crib that converts to a toddler bed and a twin bed is a investment silly as it seems I wanted them to match as they did when I choose to purchase the set. We are unable to replace it for the 132.00 although I am glad the company recalled a poorly constructed product I wish there was a way to replace it with my walmart gift card. Because of it being a year since puchase I haven’t got my receipt however I only want a equvilant replacement and cannot find a equivilant for the price given to me. With all the layoffs and the economy the way it is I am sure I am not the only one having a difficult time financialy replacing my crib. To the local department stores that are being bothered by this recall. I am sure I speak for most parents when I say “It is as much a bother to us and definitly don’t feel lucky to have to try to find a new safe crib for my child a year after I have been there done that.” So please don’t treat us like we are trying to gain something out of this because we want what is safe for our children and remember you are the ones that graciously and responsibly post such recalls I am sure you anticipate parents will read and respond to them. Thank you and have a great day…..
Comment by Amanda on 21 January 2009:
I know I have one the recalled Simplicity cribs. I haven’t checked the product number yet, but I know because I have occasionally found one side of the drop down unsecured. Not realizing there was something else going on, I at first accused my nine and seven year olds of letting it down without permission. They’ve been scolded for it a few times. I wonder if now that my toddler is old enough to stand and pull on the side that is why I’ve only now discovered the problem. I, too, will have to seek replacement through the retailer. Hopefully it won’t be a headache. I always see these cards with items I buy that encourage me to “fill out and return to be notified in the event of recall.” Well, I’ve yet to receive a notification and this isn’t the first recalled item I’ve had. By the way, I have the recalled Simplicity bassinet too…isn’t that great.
Comment by Nicole on 15 February 2009:
I JUST heard about the recall and am not yet sure if my 11 month old is using the recalled simplicity crib. I got the room in a box one. with the changing table and dresser. and was wondering if anyone knew if that was the one recalled or not??? I was also wondering if it was the one recalled do i have to return the whole set! or just his crib.
Comment by Janenne on 16 March 2009:
I just heard about this recall when the piece in question broke and I tried to get a new one. Now I hear they are out of business and we cannot even get a replacement part. Now What?
Comment by Megan on 18 March 2009:
I found out about this recall back in July right before my 3rd son was
born…so I filled out a form twice on there website and guess what 8 months later and still no replacement parts….My son has been without a crib for 8 months…I can’t aford another one or I would get one…I called walmart and they were jerks to me and wouldn’t replace my crib…said I had to contact the company…Well now there is no way to contact them…So thanks a lot simplicity……If anyone has any suggestions I would love to hear them. Thank you!
Comment by Stephanie on 19 March 2009:
How do we get a replacement part if they are out of business? My 18 month old is using a recalled crib.
Comment by Sara on 31 March 2009:
I purchased a Simplicity 3 in 1 crib n changer combo from Wal-Mart in 2004 for my son. I haven’t had to worry about such a recall until now since we were putting the crib back up for the new baby, she is due in May. It’s hard to gather the neccessary information needed to respond to this recall. I hardly new the company had went out of business until I found this site. I have contacted Wal-Mart and I am waiting to hear what they have to say. I seriously doubt we will find replacement parts since the company no longer exist, but I hope that we get at least our moneys worth in a new crib.
Comment by Jessica on 13 May 2009:
I called the toll free national recall center and was told that since my model crib requires a replacement part I need to stop using my crib immediately. However since Simplicity is no longer in business there is no way to get the replacement part and we have to discard the crib. I don’t see how it’s fair that the cribs that need a replacement part are out of luck but other cribs that don’t require the replacement part can take their crib back to where they bought it to get a refund. Where is the justice in all of this?!
Comment by Stephanie on 18 June 2009:
I bought one of the recalled cribs in March of 07. I just found out there was a recall on these cribs! My son has been in this crib for 2 years and I have had problems with the drop side. I am pretty upset about it! I only found out about it because I was turning it into the toddler bed and I misplaced the instructions and came accross this website in my internet search for instructions. Now I am afraid to let him sleep in it! And that pisses me off even more cause I now have to go buy a toddler bed, which I have already purchased 2 years ago!!
Comment by erika on 2 July 2009:
I purchased my simplicity crib in 2006. I had to have it replaced in 2007 when the bottom of the crib broke out from under my 1 y/o. The original crib was a recall I was unaware of untill that situation occurred. Simplicity sent me a new crib which is currently on the new recall list. The current crib is in use by my 10 m/o who is alwasy getting her legs stuck in the side as well as the side drops down all the time. Way to go simplicity replace a crap crib with another one.
Comment by Diane on 2 July 2009:
I brought this crib last year for my son who is now 1yrs old, he fell out of this crib two times form the drop sides coming apart. I am taking this shit back to Target ASAP and am going to call my lawyer.
Comment by Nancy on 2 July 2009:
I just learned about the recall on the simplicity crib a little bit ago. I had called walmart a week ago because my one year old actually took off the side of the crib while he was in it and the number on the waranty packet that came with the crib wasnt a working number. they were supposed to have somebody call me back with contact information for the company and nobody ever called. i called them again tonight about the recall and they said that the best they can do with out a reciept is give me a $50 wal mart credit. how am i supposed to replace a crib for $50? i paid almost $300 dollars for the crib set! that just doesnt seem right to me. with all these people having problems with the simplicity brand cribs there should be someway that we would be able to go after the company to replace the defective cribs. they got our money for them, we should be able to get it back? does anybody know if there is a lawsuit yet?
Comment by Jenna on 3 July 2009:
I just found out today that my daughter’s crib is included in the newest recall. I bought it at Baby Depot, and they said to bring it back and they would either give me my money back (with receipt-which I no longer have since the crib is 3 years old) or give me $299 store credit. I went today and picked out a new crib (Delta Shelby), which luckily they had in stock and cost $299. It is almost exactly the same as our Simplicity Christina crib & changer combo, except it’s a different finish & the drawer under the changing table is different–and of course no drop-down side. I am returning ours tomorrow. They were very nice to deal with and I am expecting a no-hassel exchange tomorrow.
Comment by Jamie on 4 July 2009:
my daughter almost died in a Simplicity crib. The CPSC came to our home and did an investigation. Still, two years later, we have yet to learn what came of the investigation. I spent over a year crusading against Simplicity/Graco, trying to force them to stop selling dangerous products to families. My voice went unheard. Imagine all the innocent lives that could be saved if someone just cared enough. Lawyers aren’t interested because my daughter didn’t die, so they won’t get big bucks. The CPSC is great, if they contact you and keep up with the investigation. Simplicity is impossible to deal with. I’ve considered taking black permanent markers into retail stores and writing “DO NOT BUY, CHOKING HAZARD” on each crib box, but I’d probably get arrested.
Comment by gina on 5 July 2009:
Wow i can totally relate to your situation because i am having the same problem&nobody will help me&i DO NOT have that kind of money at all to just go buy a new crib. So please if anybody out there knows how we can get our money back let it be known. This company SIMPLICITY i feel are just SCAM ARTISTS anyway&trying to scam people@THE EXSPENSE of inocent little babies&as a result of this lives have been lost&families are devistated&it could have been prevented.My heart goes out to anyone who has suffered a loss because of careless companies such as these.PARENTS LETS STOP ALL OF THESE GREEDY COMPANIES
Comment by Lizbeth on 5 July 2009:
I bought my crib last year and I received an email regarding the recall. I am really worried because I bought my crib online and all I have is my bank statement that shows that i bought from that website but not the product. My other bad luck is it is from the Simplicity Website. After recieving the email i check and they were recalling these cribs two months before I purchase mine. It is not right for them to allow the purchase to go through if it was on recall from the beginning. I am worry that I am not going to get anything back from this. I paid around $300 for it and might not get anything out of it. This is really ridiculous from what it seems a company can go on business and sell a couple of damage product and then decide to go out of business after getting their money and us customers are left out with the losses. I don’t see how the justice is working for us, it does sure works for scam artist.
Comment by Shantell on 8 July 2009:
I bought the crib combo set with the dresser and changing table from Walmart online. I recieved the recall email, and even though I bought this crib in 2006 I’m taking it back to a Walmart store this weekend. I called the Walmart customer service number, and because I purchased it so long ago they no longer have a record of it. I also no longer have the packaging. They told me “No Problem”. Just take it to the store, and if anyone gives you any grief tell them to call this number”. They gave me a special 800 number. I’ll post after I see what happens.
Comment by jessica on 10 July 2009:
i also like the previous mom have the exact crib and got the same response from wal-mart. i will be returning my crib tomorrow and i only want enough to get my second born a safe crib. i feel very blessed that my now 3yr and my 7m old have not been hurt, but i will feel much better when my baby has a replacement. as of now he is sleeping in a pack and play
i will write again to describe my experience with wal-mart.
Comment by rick on 13 July 2009:
when i put this crib together for my son this drop rail was a problem and this was way back in the begining of 2004, my father and brother in laws put it together a second time and the problem was still there, my wife and i contacted smpiclty in july of 2004 and made them aware of the problem and was told it was my fault because i put it together wrong and that was it as far as they were concerned that is it when i begin to hear of the accidents and deaths related to this crib, if they say they did not know about the problem they are damn liars we were told they could send us a repair kit but even then the repair kit did not fix the problem.
Comment by jessica on 15 July 2009:
wal-mart was great! no questions, they were not rude and i got a full refund (store credit) for my 3yr old crib…now i am able to replace my son’s crib and not worry anymore. hopefully. i wish cribs were all just one piece, it is unnecessary things like drop sides that make them dangerous…..
Comment by just me on 15 July 2009:
lizbeth….try to return your crib to wal-mart or k-mart, they are taking back recalls if you tell either one thats where you got it they will refund it. it may be a lie but you should not just be stuck with a death trap!!!
also babiesrus & target announced they will refund recalled cribs
Comment by amy on 16 August 2009:
we just recieved our letter that the crib was recalled and come to find out simplicity went out of business. we bought our crib 9 months ago and thank god the store Nebraska furniture Mart upon there own grace are now taking a loss by replacing everyones crib that was purchased through their store. That is an A++ for them.
Comment by erin on 1 October 2009:
I remember when my son was getting a bit more mobile there were times when I would go and get him up in the morning and he would have his leg or both leg and arm stuck down the side. I sadly did not think anything of it. Then when he started pulling himself up there were times that I would go in there and one side or the whole side was down. I would either second guess whether I put the side up after I put him to bed or if he was somehow pulling on it hard enough to bring it down. Little did i know that 5 months after that the crib would be recalled. The worse part is I or my sister-in-law did not find out until now. Thank fully nothing happened to our children. I do not know what I would have done if it had. (my crib 2 and half years old)(sister-in-law is 3 and half years old)
I got an e-mail from my sister-in-law who had one of the recalled simplicity cribs(one with changing table attached) and the 3 in 1 bassinet. I starting looking up model numbers and found out that yes I have one of those recalled cribs and one of the bassinets too. Thankfully i am not expecting like she is at the moment, but i do plan on having more children. She called and talked to wal-mart who directed her to their corporate offices and told her what they could do for her. I tried calling 2 of our local wal-mart and they proceeded to give me the run around. I asked her for the number she called and proceeded to talk to a very nice man who looked up my model number to double check. He then told me to immediately stop using the crib and take it back to the store for a full refund. He told me that I did not have to have all the bells and whistles just the crib. In the end they will throw them away. I got the nursery set with changing table and dresser. Do not have to turn the whole set in. Make sure you get the name of the person you talk to and and the date. if you have any problems with the refund then give them this information so everything can get cleared away.
Standard return regulations should not apply to a recall. So do not let the store try and tell you otherwise. I am grateful that I was able to get things all set in motion. Do not know what i would have done if i could not get a full refund. I am living off unemployment at the moment and do not know what i would have had to do if I would have to buy crib all by myself. plan on buying a crib with no drop down and a toddler bed for the price of what that crib was. Will inform if I have any more problems, but i have faith that it will be okay.
Comment by Rose on 1 October 2009:
I got my crib in 2005, I need to use in again in May but needed a side rail that had broke. Went online saw it was recalled and took it to Baby depot in NJ. They took it back without a problem and most stores that sold them should as well without a problem. I have a store credit. The web site i got the information from is http://www.aboutlawsuits.com/simplicity-crib-recall-1064/
Try it and print it and take it with you to the store.
Comment by Tina on 22 November 2009:
I found out yesterday– that I had this crib… I tried to sell my crib online and someone brought it to my attn. I took it back to walmart… the crib is 3 yrs old.. I just said it was recalled,,, she looked it up ina book.. gave me a giftcard for $141.06. No hassle at all!!
Comment by Tonia on 24 November 2009:
I also have one of the recalled simplicity cribs. I also got it form walmart. I called them this morning and after being dicked around for ever, they finally told me that Simplicity is no longer in buisness and that they could not help me out!! So what am i supposed to do with it now? I don’t have the money to go out and buy a new crib!! and my daughter stoppped sleeping through the night because we had to put her in a pack and play
Comment by Amanda on 12 March 2010:
My 13 month old daughter recently got stuck in her bed.It is one that has been recalled, (I didn’t know this until afterward).I was scared.I’m going to call walmart today and see if I can get my money back(It’s over three years old).I don’t want to put my child back in it, but don’t have the money to purchase another one.