Jeep Liberty Stroller Recall Issued After Exploding Tire Injuries

At least 18 children and caretakers have been injured by exploding stroller tires, leading to a recall of about 96,500 Jeep Liberty strollers in the United States and Canada.  

The Jeep Liberty strollers recall was announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on June 19, following at least 39 reports of the inner tube of the tire rupturing and causing the rim to crack and send sharp broken pieces towards users.

Among the reports of problems with the stroller tires, at least 16 caregivers indicated that they suffered lacerations and contusions to the stomach, face, arms, and legs. At least two incidents involved children suffering lacerations to the chin and legs while standing near the stroller when a tire burst.

The stroller recall affects three-wheeled Jeep Liberty branded strollers with model numbers JL031, JL032, JL034, JL035, and JL036 manufactured between June 2010 and September 2011. The model number and date of manufacture can be located on a white tag attached to the rear seatback pad.

The strollers have “Jeep” printed on the side and on the stroller tray and come equipped with a plastic red steering wheel, ignition key, and orange shifter.

The recalled Jeep Liberty strollers have metal, black, and silver frames and were sold in the following color combinations; green seat and canopy, gray seat and canopy with a teal blue stripe across the center of the canopy; orange seat and canopy with a tan stripe; tan seat and canopy with yellow stripe across the center top of the canopy; and tan seat and canopy with an orange canopy rim.

Strollers with gray triangles located on the rim below the valve stem are not part of this recall.

The strollers were manufactured in China and imported by Kolcraft Enterprises Inc. of Chicago, Illinois were they were sold at Burlington Coat Factory, Sears, and Toys R Us nationwide as well as other online and large juvenile specialty stores from June 2010 through June 2013 for between $150 and $180.

Last year, another Kolcraft stroller recall was issued after reports of child injuries. In June of 2012, Kolcraft recalled roughly 36,000 Contours Options three- and four-wheeled strollers after 3 children had fingers cut off due to a dangerous design defect. The CPSC stated those strollers presented an amputation and laceration hazard due to an opening forming while locking and unlocking the hinge mechanism used to adjust the handlebars.

Consumers have been advised to stop using the recalled Jeep Liberty strollers immediately and contact Kolcraft at (800) 453-7673 or visit them online at www.Kolcraft.com to receive free replacement wheels. Kolcraft has recommended that consumers should use manual bicycle pumps to inflate the tires to 30 p.s.i.