Recall #05-561 · Published April 6, 2005

L.L. Bean Director's Chairs and Replacement Director's Chair Padded Seats

CPSC, L.L. Bean Inc. Announce Recall of Director's Chairs, Replacement Seats

CPSC published a recall notice for Director's Chairs and Replacement Director's Chair Padded Seats from L.L. Bean on April 6, 2005. CPSC identifies this hazard: The wooden dowels in the fabric seats are too small and can break or slide out of the fabric sleeves; the fabric seat can tear from the wooden seat frame; and the chair frame also can break at the backrest upright, the armrest and at the leg axis. These failures can cause the chair's occupant to fall to the floor, and possibly sustain injuries. The official remedy states: Consumers should stop using the director's chair and the padded replacement seat immediately and contact L.L. Bean to receive a full refund or an L.L. Bean gift certificate.

Recalled Chairs
Recalled Chairs
Image: CPSC recall notice

What to check on the product label

Compare the model on your label, then check any serial numbers, date codes, and exclusions in the notice. A model match alone does not confirm that your unit is included.

Affected model numbers

Additional identifying details

The recalled director's chair includes models XS78 and VU67and the recalled replacement seat includes model XS79, which can be found on the label underneath the seat.

Which products are included?

The recalled director's chair is a folding chair with a solid natural-colored wood frame. They have cotton duck fabric seats and backs in navy, red, green and natural colors. The seats are padded and unpadded, and replacement padded seats were sold separately. The director's chair measures 34 inches high, 24 inches wide and 19 inches deep with an 18-inch seat height. The replacement padded seats are navy red, green and natural canvas. The recalled director's chair includes models XS78 and VU67and the recalled replacement seat includes model XS79, which can be found on the label underneath the seat.

Confirm these details on the official CPSC notice

Why it was recalled

The wooden dowels in the fabric seats are too small and can break or slide out of the fabric sleeves; the fabric seat can tear from the wooden seat frame; and the chair frame also can break at the backrest upright, the armrest and at the leg axis. These failures can cause the chair's occupant to fall to the floor, and possibly sustain injuries.

Incidents and injuries

L.L. Bean received 10 reports of the dowels breaking, two reports of the fabric tearing and four reports of frame breakage, which involve eight people falling from the chairs. There have been no reports of injury.

Official remedy

Consumers should stop using the director's chair and the padded replacement seat immediately and contact L.L. Bean to receive a full refund or an L.L. Bean gift certificate.

Product and sales details

Product type
Chairs & stools
Recall number
05-561
Units
About 3,500
Manufactured in
China, United States
Sold at / sales period
L.L. Bean catalog, Web site and L.L. Bean flagship store in Freeport, Maine, from February 2004 through September 2004, for $79 for the padded and $59 for the unpadded chair and $29 for the padded replacement seat.
Distributor
L.L. Bean Inc., of Freeport, Maine, Rio Brands, of Philadelphia, Pa.

Director's Chairs and Replacement Director's Chair Padded Seats

CPSC product type: Chairs, Stools & Benches

Recall contact information

Consumers should contact L.L. Bean toll-free at (800) 555-9717 anytime or visit the company's Web site at www.llbean.com/recall for more information.

Verify phone numbers, hours, and websites on the current CPSC notice before contacting the firm.

Related recalls

Selected by shared brand or household-product category.

No. 05-163Furniture

CPSC, Atico International USA Announce Recall of Children's Folding Chairs

Atico International

Hazard: The chair's safety lock can fail, allowing the chair to collapse or fold unexpectedly. Children's fingers can become caught or entrapped in the hinge and slot areas of the chair, posing a pinch or cut hazard. This can cause severe lacerations and fingertip amputations to children's fingers.