CPSC, Black & Decker Announce Recall to Repair 18-volt Cordless Drill/Drivers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., of Towson, Md., is voluntarily recalling about 265,000 18-volt cordless drill/drivers. The drill's switch can malfunction and overheat, posing the possibility of a fire hazard to consumers.

Black & Decker has received twenty reports of melting, smoking, or fires in the drills, including two minor burn injuries.

The recalled 18-volt, cordless drill/drivers are orange or jade and have the words, "Black & Decker" printed on the body of the drill. The drill/drivers have the following model numbers and date codes:

Model Number	Date Codes	Color
CD1800	20011952 through 20020652	Orange
PS3700	973652 through 983052	Jade
PS3725	20003852 through 20013652	Jade
PS3750	20002454 through 20005252	Jade

The model number is printed on the nameplate on the side of the drill and the date code is printed on the bottom of the handle where the battery is inserted (remove the battery to locate date code). The recalled units were manufactured in China.

Mass merchandisers, home centers and hardware stores nationwide sold the drill/drivers from September 1997 through February 2002 for between $50 and $80. The drill/drivers were sold separately and as part of various tool kits.

Consumers should stop using the drill/drivers immediately, remove the battery, and contact Black & Decker toll-free at (866) 821-5444 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to receive a free repair. For additional information, consumers can log on to the company's website at www.blackanddecker.com.

No other models or date codes are affected by this recall to repair.


The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $700 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.