PlainRecalls

2003 Recalls

370 recalls · Page 2 of 8

2003 Recall Year Insight

Federal agencies issued 370 product recalls indexed by PlainRecalls in calendar year 2003. That represents about 0.44% of the 83,949 total recalls we track from 1995 through the present, and averages roughly 1.0 recalls per day across the FDA, CPSC, NHTSA, and USDA FSIS combined. Year-level views are the cleanest way to see macro patterns: volume spikes often correlate with new regulatory priorities (e.g., infant-sleep products after 2021, lithium-ion batteries after 2022), supply-chain contamination events, or changes in agency enforcement intensity, while quiet years can reflect either genuine product-safety improvements or reduced agency staffing and reporting lag. With 8 pages at 50 recalls each, browsing this year end-to-end gives a statistically representative sample of what the federal recall pipeline looked like in 2003.

On this page of 50 records, severity classification shows 19 critical, 31 moderate, and 0 lower-severity recalls. The page references 42 distinct recalling firms operating in 7 distinct product categories, with 28 of 50 records disclosing affected-unit counts. Issuing-agency distribution on this slice leans toward CPSC (28), NHTSA (22), which matters because each agency's recall authority, hazard framing, and remedy mechanism differ — an FDA food recall, a CPSC consumer-product recall, and a NHTSA vehicle recall are legally distinct instruments even when the underlying hazard language sounds similar. Reviewing the dominant agency for a given year is one of the fastest ways to understand where federal attention was concentrated.

Year-indexed browsing serves three practical purposes: historical research (tracking how a hazard class evolved over time), consumer action (finding whether a product purchased in 2003 was later recalled), and journalistic or regulatory context (understanding what the enforcement landscape looked like in a given period). Every record on this page links to a full detail view with the hazard, remedy, distribution, and agency-assigned recall number — always use that recall number to verify current status directly with the issuing agency before acting on time-sensitive remedies, because agencies amend, terminate, and expand recalls in the months and years after initial publication. Data on this page reflects federal agency public filings; the agency's live record remains authoritative for legal, medical, or safety decisions. Verify with FDA openFDA, CPSC, NHTSA, or USDA FSIS for the system-of-record on any specific recall. PlainRecalls indexes this archive for research and consumer awareness purposes.

CPSC Moderate Nov 18, 2003

CPSC, Cub Cadet Corp. Announce Recall of Compact Tractors

Cub Cadet LLC (Cub Cadet), of Cleveland, Ohio

CPSC Moderate Nov 18, 2003

CPSC, Deere & Company Announce Recall of Gator Utility Vehicles

Deere & Company, of Moline, Ill.

CPSC Moderate Nov 18, 2003

CPSC, Schylling Associates Inc. Announce Recall of Jack-In-the-Box-Type Toys

Schylling Associates Inc., of Rowley, Mass.

CPSC Moderate Nov 18, 2003

CPSC, SecureAlert Announce Recall of Safety and Security Phones

SecureAlert Inc., of Salt Lake City, Utah

NHTSA Critical Nov 17, 2003

INFINITI,NISSAN 2000-2003: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

INFINITI,NISSAN

NHTSA Critical Nov 14, 2003

NISSAN 2000-2003: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

NISSAN

NHTSA Critical Nov 14, 2003

INFINITI 2003: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

INFINITI

NHTSA Critical Nov 14, 2003

BMW 2004: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

BMW

CPSC Moderate Nov 13, 2003

CPSC, Fisher-Price Announce Recall of Scooters and Mini Bikes

Fisher-Price, of East Aurora, N.Y.

CPSC Moderate Nov 13, 2003

CPSC, Polardreams International Ltd. Announce Recall of Candle Gift Sets

Polardreams International Ltd., of Fairfield, Iowa

CPSC Moderate Nov 13, 2003

CPSC, Target Corporation Announce Recall of Multicolored Sidewalk Chalk

Agglo Corporation, of Hong Kong

CPSC Moderate Nov 12, 2003

CPSC, Polaris Industries Inc. Announce Recall of ATVs

Polaris Industries Inc., of Minneapolis, Minn.

NHTSA Critical Nov 10, 2003

CHRYSLER 2004: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

CHRYSLER

NHTSA Critical Nov 10, 2003

JEEP 2002-2003: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

JEEP

NHTSA Critical Nov 10, 2003

BUICK,PONTIAC 2004: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

BUICK,PONTIAC

CPSC Moderate Nov 7, 2003

CPSC, Advantage Publishers Group Announce Recall of Children's Activity Books

Advantage Publishers Group, of San Diego, Calif.

CPSC Moderate Nov 6, 2003

CPSC, BRIO® Corp. Announce Recall of Toy Drums

BRIO® Corp., of Germantown, Wis., a subsidiary of BRIO AB of Sweden

CPSC Moderate Nov 6, 2003

CPSC, The Metal Ware Corp. Announce Recall of Deep Fryer Covers

The Metal Ware Corp., of Two Rivers, Wis.

NHTSA Critical Nov 6, 2003

FORD 2000-2003: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

FORD

NHTSA Critical Nov 6, 2003

FORD 2001-2003: SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

FORD

NHTSA Critical Nov 6, 2003

FORD,MERCURY 2004: STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

FORD,MERCURY

NHTSA Critical Nov 4, 2003

CHRYSLER,DODGE 2003-2004: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

CHRYSLER,DODGE

NHTSA Critical Nov 4, 2003

MITSUBISHI 2003-2004: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

MITSUBISHI

NHTSA Moderate Nov 3, 2003

CHEVROLET,GMC 2002: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY

CHEVROLET,GMC

NHTSA Critical Nov 3, 2003

MITSUBISHI 2004: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

MITSUBISHI

CPSC Moderate Oct 30, 2003

CPSC, Fire Control Instruments Announce Recall for Audio Evacuation Units

Fire Control Instruments, of Westwood, Mass.

CPSC Moderate Oct 30, 2003

CPSC, Michaels Stores, Inc. Announce Recall of Halloween Candleholders

CPSC Moderate Oct 30, 2003

CPSC, Notifier Announce Recall for Fire Alarm Panels

Notifier, of Northford, Conn.

CPSC Moderate Oct 30, 2003

CPSC, Walgreen Co. Announce Recall of Pumpkin Tealight Candleholders

CPSC Moderate Oct 29, 2003

CPSC, Neurosmith Announce Recall of Children's Plush Toys

Neurosmith, of Long Beach, Calif.

CPSC Moderate Oct 29, 2003

CPSC, Russound Inc. Announce Recall to Repair Audio Video Controller/Amplifiers

Russound Inc., of Newmarket, N.H.

CPSC Moderate Oct 29, 2003

CPSC, Shindaiwa Inc. Announce Recall of Hedge Trimmers

Shindaiwa Inc., of Tualatin, Ore.

CPSC Moderate Oct 29, 2003

CPSC, Style Asia Inc. Announce Recall of Cigarette Lighters

Style Asia, Inc. Moonachie, N.J.

CPSC Moderate Oct 29, 2003

CPSC, The Sarut Group d/b/a City Limit Announce Recall of Fish-Shaped Cigarette Lighters

The Sarut Group d/b/a as City Limit, of New York, N.Y.

NHTSA Critical Oct 27, 2003

HONDA 2002: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

HONDA

NHTSA Critical Oct 27, 2003

MACK 2003: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

MACK

CPSC Moderate Oct 24, 2003

CPSC, Wahl Clipper Corp. Announce Recall of Curling Irons

NHTSA Moderate Oct 24, 2003

BMW 2001: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

BMW

NHTSA Critical Oct 24, 2003

CHRYSLER,DODGE,PLYMOUTH 2000-2004: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CHRYSLER,DODGE,PLYMOUTH

CPSC Moderate Oct 23, 2003

CPSC, Pier 1 Imports Announce Recall of Footed Glass Floater Bowl Candleholder

CPSC Moderate Oct 22, 2003

CPSC, Husqvarna Forest and Garden Co. Announce Recall to Repair Lawn Mowers

Husqvarna Forest and Garden Company, of Charlotte, N.C.

CPSC Moderate Oct 21, 2003

CPSC, Koyker Manufacturing Announce Recall of Utility Vehicles

Koyker Manufacturing Company, of Lennox, S.D.

NHTSA Critical Oct 20, 2003

KENWORTH,PETERBILT 2003: STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM

KENWORTH,PETERBILT

CPSC Moderate Oct 16, 2003

CPSC, HSN LP and Innova, Inc. Announce Expansion of the Recall of Ultrex Thermal/Double Wall Pans

Innova Inc., of Davenport, Iowa

CPSC Moderate Oct 15, 2003

CPSC, Buck Knives Inc. Announce Recall of Pocket Knives

Buck Knives Inc., of El Cajon, Calif.

CPSC Moderate Oct 15, 2003

CPSC, Honda Power Equipment Manufacturing Inc. Announce Recall of Lawnmowers

Honda Power Equipment Manufacturing Inc., of Swepsonville, N.C.

CPSC Moderate Oct 15, 2003

CPSC, John Wiley & Sons Inc. Announce Recall of "Candle and Soap Making For Dummies" Instruction Book

John Wiley and Sons Inc., of Hoboken, N.J.

NHTSA Moderate Oct 10, 2003

ISUZU 2003: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP

ISUZU

NHTSA Critical Oct 10, 2003

DODGE 2001-2003: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

DODGE

NHTSA Critical Oct 10, 2003

DODGE 2003: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

DODGE

Nearby Recall Years

Browse recalls from adjacent calendar years to see how federal enforcement volume has shifted over time.

Compare 2003 with 2002 →

Data Sources

  • Source: FDA openFDA Enforcement API — calendar-year recall filings for food, drugs, and devices
  • Source: CPSC + NHTSA + USDA FSIS — consumer product, vehicle, and meat/poultry recall feeds for 2003