CPSC warns the fakes pose a lethal chocking hazard

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• CPSC warns against counterfeit Labubu plush toys posing choking hazards

• Thousands of fake dolls seized at U.S. ports after failing federal safety tests

• Parents urged to buy only from reputable sellers and check for authenticity markers

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued an urgent warning to parents and caregivers about counterfeit Labubu dolls, citing serious safety risks for children.

The fakes, sold both as plush figures and plush keychains, are small enough for a child to fit in their mouth, creating the risk of suffocation. CPSC has also received reports of knockoff dolls breaking apart easily, releasing small pieces that could be choking hazards.

These fake Labubu dolls are dangerous, illegal, and have no place in American homes, said CPSC Acting Chairman Peter Feldman. No parent should have to wonder if a toy will stop their child from breathing. Protect your children and buy only from reputable sellers.

Labubu dolls are collectible designer toys created by Pop Mart, a Chinese company known for its blind-box art toys and collaborations with independent artists. Authentic Labubu dolls are not included in the CPSC warning.

Seizures at U.S. ports

CPSC investigators say they have intercepted multiple shipments of counterfeit Labubu dolls originating from China. Thousands of units have been seized after inspectors confirmed violations of federal safety regulations governing toys with small parts.

Federal law prohibits the importation and sale of products that fail to meet these standards, and the agency has pledged continued aggressive enforcement at U.S. ports to keep dangerous toys out of American homes.

Spotting a fake

To help consumers avoid counterfeit toys, CPSC is advising families to take a closer look at what they buy:

• Watch out for deep discounts, which may signal fake products.

• Check for authenticity markers: genuine Pop Mart Labubu dolls feature a holographic Pop Mart sticker, a scannable QR code linking to the official site, and, in newer versions, a UV stamp on one foot.

• Count the teeth: authentic dolls have nine; fakes often have the wrong number.

• Examine the colors: knockoffs often appear overly bright or off-shade.

• Buy from trusted retailers or verified online marketplaces only.

• Look for safety labeling that includes choking hazard warnings and independent safety certifications.

CPSC said it urges families to immediately stop using any counterfeit Labubu dolls already in their possession and to dispose of them safely. Parents are encouraged to report product defects or any injury incidents at www.SaferProducts.gov.

Subaru holds its lead in mass-market brands while Lexus surges 6% to take top luxury slot

By Truman Lewis of ConsumerAffairs

• Subaru leads mass-market brands with record driver satisfaction score of 85, topping Toyota and Mazda.

• Lexus surges 6% to claim the No. 1 luxury spot, ahead of Mercedes-Benz and Tesla.

• Overall satisfaction slips as rising prices and longer car loans weigh on drivers.

Subaru and Lexus are pulling ahead of the auto pack when it comes to customer satisfaction, according to new survey data from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI).

The annual ACSI Automobile Study shows overall driver satisfaction slipping 1% to a score of 79 (on a 100-point scale) despite the industry reaching its strongest sales in five years. The decline comes as buyers face steeper payments over longer loan periods.

In the mass-market segment, Subaru rose 2% to an industry-leading score of 85, separating itself from Toyota, which fell 1% to 82 and now shares second place with Mazda. Buick, GMC, and Honda followed close behind at 81. Subarus reputation for safety and dependability, along with freshened models like the redesigned Forester and new Crosstrek engine options, helped solidify its lead.

Luxury brands

On the luxury side, Lexus leapt 6% to a score of 87, leapfrogging last years co-leaders Mercedes-Benz (82) and Tesla (81). The Toyota-owned brand is benefitting from booming hybrid sales, with five Lexus models ranking among the top 15 most popular luxury hybrids in 2024. Lexus electrified sales climbed more than 13% year over year in the first quarter of 2025.

The study also highlights shifting consumer expectations as automakers balance technology, safety, and cost. Vehicle safety and technology both slipped by one percentage point, while two newly added measures driving range on a full charge or tank and expected future resale value debuted at the bottom of the rankings. Electric vehicles fared worst on both counts.

For automakers, innovation and practicality now collide, said Forrest Morgeson, Associate Professor of Marketing at Michigan State University and Director of Research Emeritus at the ACSI. Customers expect advanced technology and efficiency, but theyre also scrutinizing every dollar spent.

The 2025 ACSI Automobile Study is based on nearly 10,000 customer surveys conducted between July 2024 and June 2025.

The FTC claims they resold thousands of Taylor Swift tickets for outrageous prices

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is suing a Maryland-based ticket broker for allegedly using illegal tactics to scoop up tickets for high-demand events, including Taylor Swifts Eras Tour.

• The brokers allegedly bypassed Ticketmasters safeguards using fake accounts, spoofed IPs, and SIM boxes to purchase nearly 380,000 tickets in just over a year.

• The operation allegedly generated millions in profits by reselling tickets at steep markups, in violation of federal law.

The Federal Trade Commission has filed a lawsuit against a Maryland ticket broker operation accused of unlawfully gaming Ticketmasters security systems to purchase hundreds of thousands of tickets for some of the nations most sought-after events and reselling them at inflated prices.

The investigation was launched after an avalanche of complaints in 2023 from music fans who said it was nearly impossible to get tickets to Taylor Swift concerns, and when they were available from third-party sellers, prices were outrageous.

A 2023 report from the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) suggested that many fans who purchased tickets for her Eras Tour decided to take advantage of the demand and resell those tickets at unheard of prices.

How high? According to StubHub, seven times more than a Springsteen seat, nine times Adele and Beyonc, and 13 times what the Super Bowl charged.

FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson said the action reflects the agencys commitment to cracking down on practices that hurt consumers and distort fair competition.

Todays action puts brokers on notice that the Trump-Vance FTC will police operations that unlawfully circumvent ticket sellers purchase limits, ensuring that consumers have an opportunity to buy tickets at fair prices, Ferguson said.

The charges

According to the FTC complaint, Key Investment Group operating under names such as Epic Seats, TotalTickets.com LLC, and Totally Tix LLC used a range of tactics to evade Ticketmasters restrictions. These included:

• Creating thousands of fictitious or third-party Ticketmaster accounts.

• Deploying thousands of virtual and traditional credit card numbers.

• Concealing their identity with proxy and spoofed IP addresses.

• Using SIM boxes to collect cell phone verification codes linked to fake accounts.

According to the FTC, these methods allegedly enabled the group to purchase nearly 380,000 tickets in just over a year, spending close to $57 million. They then resold portions of those tickets for about $64 million, pocketing millions in profits through hefty markups.

The FTC argues that these tactics violated both the FTC Act and the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act, which prohibits the circumvention of technological controls designed to enforce ticket limits or preserve fair online purchasing rules.

Ford again leaves competitors in the dust

Quick Recap Table Week of Aug. 18

Heres the complete version of theAuto Safety Recall Derbywith links to the NHTSA site.

Auto Safety Recall Derby: Week of Aug. 18

Ford

Headlights May Fail

• NHTSA ID: 25V519000

• Units Affected: 21,765

• Models: 2025 Lincoln Nautilus, Mustang Mach E, Mustang

• Issue: Burnt diode in LED Driver Modules may cause failure of multiple exterior lights, including headlights, DRLs, turn signals, and tail lights (Nautilus).

• Remedy: Dealers will inspect/replace LED Driver Modules. Notifications start Aug. 25, 2025.

Window Automatic Reversal System

• NHTSA ID:25V518

• Units Affected: 102

• Models: 20242025 Lincoln Nautilus

• Issue: Incorrect recall repair may prevent windows from reversing when obstructed, violating FMVSS 118.

• Remedy: Dealers will update driver and passenger door module software. Notifications Sept. 15, 2025.

Parking Lights May Flicker

• NHTSA ID:25V517

• Units Affected: 1,278

• Models: 2022 Ford F-150

• Issue: Improper repair under recall 22V686 may cause parking lights to flicker when headlights are on.

• Remedy: Dealers will replace LED control module and update software. Notifications Sept. 15, 2025.

Parking Lights May Flicker (Repeat)

• NHTSA ID: 25V515

• Units Affected: 2,361

• Models: 2022 Ford F-150

Rearview Camera Image May Not Display

• NHTSA ID: 25V510

• Units Affected: 41,875

• Models: 20202022 Lincoln Corsair

• Issue: Water intrusion in connectors can cause loss or distortion of rearview camera image.

• Remedy: Replace camera harness and camera. Interim letters mailed Aug. 18, 2025; final notice later.

Jaguar

Upper Suspension Arm May Detach

• NHTSA ID: 25V514

• Units Affected: 121,509

• Models: 20142017 Range Rover, Range Rover Sport

• Issue: Cracked suspension knuckle joint can cause arm detachment.

• Remedy: Inspect and install retaining bracket or replace knuckle. Notifications Sept. 30, 2025. Expands recall 24V840.

Nissan

Daytime Running Lights May Malfunction

• NHTSA ID: 25V508

• Units Affected: 13,719

• Models: 2025 Nissan Frontier

• Issue: Software logic error may cause DRLs to dim when idle start-stop restarts the engine.

• Remedy: Dealers will update ECM software. Notifications Sept. 17, 2025.