CPSC recall 05-561, announced April 6, 2005, covers L.L. Bean Director's Chairs and Replacement Director's Chair Padded Seats (about 3,500 units). 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. The notice cites 10 incident reports. Consumers should stop using the director's chair and the padded replacement seat immediately and contact L.L. Recall contact: call (800) 555-9717, or go to www.llbean.com/recall.
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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.
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 noticeWhat to look for
- Model numbers
- 3 listed. Yours must match one exactly.
- Where to look
the label underneath the seat
(the notice’s words)- When sold
- February 2004 through September 2004
- Price paid
- $29 to $79
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.
What to do now
- Check the label. Compare your model number with the 3 listed in this recall.
- Stop using it. The notice says to stop using recalled units immediately.
- Contact the firm. Call (800) 555-9717, or go to www.llbean.com/recall.
- Read the official notice. The CPSC notice is the final word on which units are included and what to do.
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Product and sales details
- Brand
- L.L. Bean
- 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
This recall in context
Compared with the 129 chair recalls in this index, as of October 31, 2026.
- Size
- 3,500 units: the 75th-largest of 119 chair recalls that state a unit count. The median is 7,000 units.
- Hazard
- Fall: named in 86 of 129 chair recalls, the most common hazard among them.
- Brand history
- L.L.Bean is named in 12 CPSC notices in this index, from 2000 to 2018. This recall is the 3rd. The one before: L.L. Bean Children's Snuggle-Up slippers (01-035, Nov 2000). 2 of them are chair recalls.
- Time on sale
- 8 months. Recalled 7 months after the last month of sales the notice gives.
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.
Know someone who has one?
Recalls only work when owners hear about them. Send this notice to family or friends who might own the same product.
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