Critical Recalled June 19, 2001 About 4,300 Remote Controlled Race Cars and 28,000 Galileo thermometers units Updated March 5, 2026

CPSC, Firms Announce Recall of Remote Controlled Toy Race Cars and Galileo Weather Thermometers

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The hazard

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.

Incidents reported: 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.

What to do now

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.

Contact: 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

About this recall

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.

Product photos

Recalled Toy Race Car
Recalled Toy Race Car
Recalled Thermometer
Recalled Thermometer

Photos: U.S. CPSC