LG recalls 86-inch TVs over “serious tip-over hazards”

LG recalls around 57,000 86-inch TVs over instability and 12 reported tip-overs

LG has issued a recall for roughly 57,000 86-inch TVs after the US’ Consumer Product Safety Commission recieved 22 reports of TV stand stability issues and 12 reports of TV “tip-overs”, deeming the TVs to be unsafe to used when freestanding. 

This recall affects 86-inch TVs that were sold in the US, Canada and Mexico, with 52,000 units being sold in the US, 1,800 in Canada and 2,900 in Mexico. The recall includes four TV model numbers (86UQ8000AUB, 86UQ7070ZUD, 86UQ7590PUD, and 86NANO75UQA), and products with serial numbers that start with 202RM, 203RM, 204RM, 205RM, 206RM, 207RM, or 208RM.

Below is what the Consumer Product Safety Commission had to say about the hazards affecting LG’s 86-inch TVs.

    The TV can become unstable while on the assembled stand, posing serious tip-over and entrapment hazards that can result in injuries or death to children and others.

Owners of affected TVs are expected to detach their TVs from their included stand legs and place their television in a safe place away from children. Users who have wall mounted their TVs will not need to take any action, as they do not use the TV in a free-standing manner and do not use the TV’s included stand legs.

LG are offering users advice on their LG Cares website that advises affected users on what remedies they should take. In a statement to Digital Trends, LG has stated that “improper installation of the stand on certain LG 86-inch UHD TV models can create vulnerability in the integrity of the TV’s supporting stand.” In theory, this means that most 86-inch LG TV users can simply re-install their TV stands to make their televisions safe.  

Below is LG’s full statement regarding the “tip-over” risk that their large-screen TVs can pose. Users of these TVs should ensure that their TV’s stands are installed correctly. 

   It has come to LG’s attention that the improper installation of the stand on certain LG 86-inch UHD TV models can create vulnerability in the integrity of the TV’s supporting stand.

However, this vulnerability only occurs when the stand is not properly installed.* When the stand is installed exactly as described in the product instructions, and all provided screws are used and properly tightened, this structural failure does not occur.

LGE believes the product is not defective and does not present a substantial product hazard or unreasonable risk. Consumer safety is of paramount importance to LG, and despite there being no issue with the product itself, we have been taking steps to proactively inform and offer support to owners of the relevant TV models in order to avoid any risk of damage, either to the TV or the customer’s living environment.

As a primary corrective action, LG has offered consumers supplemental instructions (in both written and video formats) on how to conduct a thorough self-inspection to confirm the proper installation of the stand’s elements. Additional measures, such as technician visits and new screws or stand elements, have also been considered according to each situation.

* Not using all of the three screws supplied to attach the stand to the TV, or only partially tightening the three screws, can place excessive strain on the area of the stand that connects to the screen. This may cause possible damage to the stand and make the TV unstable when installed.

You can join the discussion on LG’s recall for 86-inch TV over tipping hazards on the OC3D Forums.