Wolf: Where the Customer is Always on the Menu

Effective September 3, Wolf is recalling 24,000  48" ranges manufactured between 1998 and June 2008. 
The CPSC release states:

"Delayed ignition of gas in the 18-inch oven can cause a flash of flames to be projected at a consumer when the range door is opened, posing a burn hazard to consumers"

That sounds like the kind of exciting dinner party one is unlikely to forget.  

• There have been 97 reports of "delayed ignition" and 15 reports of "minor burns" in Wolf 48" ranges.
• Do you think these 15 customers, representatives of the nation's best and brightest, would term the loss of eye lashes, knuckle hair or 1st degree burns as "minor"?
• 97 reports of un-combusted gas filling Wolf ovens, igniting in a glorious fireball, and making a sound not so different from the brand name.  "WOOOOOOOOFF".
• Only 97 incidents and a mere 15 minor burns?  Why recall now?  Why not wait a little longer?  They could have waited a few more years, perhaps until they hit 175 incidents, 24 minor burns, and the burning deaths of a family of 6.

BUT WAIT....THERE'S MORE:  Wolf is no stranger to "Delayed Ignition".  In 2001 Sub-Zero / Wolf recalled 15,000 gas ranges sized 30, 36, 48, and 60" manufactured between 1996 and 2001.
        The 2001 CPSC release from archives.
        Our amusing report from 2001.
 

Were some of these 2001 recalled units in this 2008 recall?  Did the 2001 recall resolve those problems, create new ones, or miss an unrelated second cause for the problem?

So why rush?  They are just going to recall them for something else later.  It's so much more convenient to fix two recalls at once.

Jokes Aside.  This is absolutely unacceptable.  We do not make Ford Pinto's.  In our industry we take some pride that when a consumer burns himself a little, or even to death, it is usually the result of consumer negligence, not corporate lethargy.  One wonders what priority they place on "consumer safety".

See the CPSC 2002 report:  GAS RANGE DELAYED IGNITIONS: Tests and Examinations of Ranges, to see an analysis of the general problem (Wolf was not discussed) and to see photos of the business-end of delayed ignition.