PlainRecalls

CPSC, The Wenzel Co. Announce Recall of Eddie Bauer Propane Lanterns

Reported: September 25, 2003 Initiated: September 25, 2003 #03194 12,300 units

The Wenzel Co., of St. Louis, Mo. issued this CPSC recall on September 25, 2003. Classified as Moderate severity. Approximately 12,300 units are affected. The recall was issued because: The lanterns could produce high levels of carbon monoxide (CO), posing a risk of CO poisoning to consumers if the lante…. This recall notice is sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Below you will find the complete product description, hazard information, remedy instructions, and related recalls from the same manufacturer or product category.

Recall Insight

This CPSC action (record #03194) was formally reported on September 25, 2003. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. The Wenzel Co., of St. Louis, Mo. is listed as the recalling firm. Federal records indicate 12,300 units are affected.

The documented reason for this recall is: The lanterns could produce high levels of carbon monoxide (CO), posing a risk of CO poisoning to consumers if the lantern is used indoors. Distribution information was not included in the agency filing, so consumers should assume broad potential exposure until the firm publishes point-of-sale details. The remedy documented by the agency is: Consumers should return these lanterns to any Target store or contact The Wenzel Co. for a refund. Consumers should detach the lantern from the propane cylinder and should return only the lantern its… — consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.

To put this record in context, PlainRecalls indexes 83,949 recalls across the FDA, CPSC, NHTSA and USDA FSIS going back to 1995. Within the same product category, the database holds 6 closely related recalls. That clustering is a signal — repeated actions in a narrow category often indicate a systemic quality-control issue, a supplier-wide contamination, or a design defect that has propagated across product lines. This recall is roughly 23 years old; older recalls can remain relevant because many units enter resale, rental, and secondary-market channels where the original warning never reaches the end user. Always cross-check the recall number against the official agency page before relying on any summary.

Recall Distribution by Severity Class

Severity1Class I (Critical)Class II (Moderate)Class III (Low)
Recall Distribution by Severity Class

Severity

Moderate

Units Affected

12,300

Related Recalls

6

0 from same agency

Product Description

The Eddie Bauer lantern, sold exclusively at Target stores, is ocean blue with two mantles. It has a glass globe, electronic ignition, and an extra-large hood and handle. When assembled, the lantern sits on a plastic base that houses the propane fuel cylinder. The "Eddie Bauer" name appears on the front of the product on an oval panel immediately below a black on/off switch. The Wenzel Company produces the lantern under license with Eddie Bauer.

Reason for Recall

The lanterns could produce high levels of carbon monoxide (CO), posing a risk of CO poisoning to consumers if the lantern is used indoors.

Remedy

Consumers should return these lanterns to any Target store or contact The Wenzel Co. for a refund. Consumers should detach the lantern from the propane cylinder and should return only the lantern itself to the Target store.

Recall Profile

Structured summary of the CPSC recall record
Attribute Value
Agency U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Severity class Moderate
Status Active
Recall number 03194
Date reported September 25, 2003
Date initiated September 25, 2003
Recalling firm The Wenzel Co., of St. Louis, Mo.
Units affected 12,300
Distribution Not disclosed

Profile values are sourced directly from the official CPSC enforcement record. Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Scale of Impact

12,300 units affected — limited or regional distribution scale.

Regional (<10K units)
Multi-state (10K – 100K units) ✓ This recall
Large-scale (100K – 1M units)
Massive (≥1M units)

Bracket cutoffs follow federal recall-disclosure conventions; bar widths scale linearly within each bracket. Source: PlainRecalls analysis of U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission filings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled?
The Eddie Bauer lantern, sold exclusively at Target stores, is ocean blue with two mantles. It has a glass globe, electronic ignition, and an extra-large hood and handle. When assembled, the lantern sits on a plastic base that houses the propane fuel cylinder. The "Eddie Bauer" name appears on the front of the product on an oval panel immediately below a black on/off switch. The Wenzel Company produces the lantern under license with Eddie Bauer.. Recalled by The Wenzel Co., of St. Louis, Mo.. Units affected: 12,300.
Why was this product recalled?
The lanterns could produce high levels of carbon monoxide (CO), posing a risk of CO poisoning to consumers if the lantern is used indoors.
What should consumers do?
Consumers should return these lanterns to any Target store or contact The Wenzel Co. for a refund. Consumers should detach the lantern from the propane cylinder and should return only the lantern itself to the Target store.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the CPSC on September 25, 2003. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 03194.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (03194) against your product. Visit the official CPSC website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
How do I report an injury from a recalled product?
Report injuries to the issuing agency: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem, or FDA via MedWatch. Document the product (photos, model/serial numbers, purchase receipts) and seek medical attention. Injury reports help agencies track hazard patterns and may strengthen enforcement actions.

Recall Context

Product recalls are issued when a manufacturer, distributor, or federal agency determines that a product poses a safety risk to consumers. This recall is classified as moderate severity, indicating the product may cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences. Across PlainRecalls, we track 83,000+ recalls from FDA, CPSC, and NHTSA to help consumers stay informed and act quickly when safety issues arise.

Nearby Recalls in This Category

Other recalls in the same product category — useful for spotting patterns across the same defect class or manufacturer.

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Data Sources

Data as of 2025. Source: FDA, CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS federal recall databases.

  • Source: FDA — Food and Drug Administration, openFDA Enforcement API (food, drug, and medical device recalls)
  • Source: CPSC — Consumer Product Safety Commission Recalls API (consumer product recalls and hazards)
  • Source: NHTSA — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Recalls API (vehicle safety recalls)
  • Source: USDA FSIS — Food Safety and Inspection Service (meat, poultry, and egg product recalls)

Recall information is sourced from official federal agency databases. Always verify recall details with the issuing agency for the most current status. This information is for research and awareness purposes only.

All federal data sources used on this page

Source: Federal recall agencies (FDA, CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS) Aggregated multi-agency recall feeds · 2024 Recall data normalized across federal agency feeds; severity classifications follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS).