Some concerning info about 1998-99 Self Propelled Windtunnels

[amtraksebo1997]

So I was looking through the CPSC's articles about vacuum recalls, when I came across one about Hoover Windtunnel Self Propelled models from 1998-99. Apparently, there was some problem with the switches on them that caused them to overheat the handle and toolholder areas of the vacuums, resulting in a fire hazard. I'm not sure if this problem still occurs on the ones that you can find on Ebay, Cragslist, etc., but i still think it's wort putting this out there.

https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2005/c...hoover-self-propelled-upright-vacuum-cleaners

 

[eurekaprince]

Yes…Hoover paid for the repair. We had ours done at the time, even though we never experienced any problems.

 

[amtraksebo1997]

Also, I've noticed that there's a lot of listings for Hoover Windtunnel S3765 bagless canister vacuums on Ebay, even after those were recalled too. I know that the problem was just with the power nozzle's cord, and all that needed to be done was to take it to Hoover for a free repair, but I'm not entirely sure how many people actually got that repair. Also, there was a recall for some of the Windtunnel T-Series bagless uprights with a cord rewinder, because the cord was improperly seated in the cord rewinder assembly, and could be pulled loose, posing fire and shock hazards. Was the problem on those also fixed on most of those Windtunnels? Anyways, here's the links to the S3765 canister and T-Series upright's recall articles:
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2011/h...anister-vacuums-due-to-fire-and-shock-hazards

https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2010/httpwwwcpscgovcpscpubprerelprhtml1010248html

 

[huskyvacs]

Those recalls never amount to anything, it's just done for litigation protection.

I have the original Windtunnel with no repairs and it is fine. I also have the T-series as well and never had any problems with it.

 

[amtraksebo1997]

Huskyvacs what is that supposed to mean?

 

[amtraksebo1997]

I found this on the subject here: https://money.cnn.com/2005/04/14/news/fortune500/cspc_maytag/

 

[huskyvacs]

It means just because something has a recall doesn't mean it's dangerous and everyone has to throw it away or not sell it. The chance of a recalled item having that problem is incredibly small.

 

[amtraksebo1997]

huskyvacs just because you haven't experienced those problems on your vacuums personally, doesn't mean that they don't exist, or happen to other people with the same vacuums. Now could someone please tell me if these issues were kinked out on the ones you can still buy today?

 

[panasonicvac]

You can't buy those Windtunnels anymore today, at least not brand new, because Hoover quit selling them.

 

[amtraksebo1997]

panasonicvac your right, but you can still find plenty of them used off Ebay, Cragslist, etc.

 

[luxlife]

Ralph Nader declared that the Chevy Corvair was “unsafe at any speed “, yet you can still buy them used whenever they become available for sale.

There’s very little that can be done about these vacuums unless you want to wage a one man campaign against used Windtunnels on Craigs List and eBay. Go for it. It’s almost not worth mentioning so many years after the fact. I guess while you’re at it, you should try and find recall info about the Lewyt Electronic because it was reported to electrocute the user.

 

[amtraksebo1997]

luxlife All I'm asking if that problem was fixed on those Windtunnels that I mentioned. Is that too much to ask??? As for the Lewyt electronic, aren't those things really rare? Idk I don't know much about vacuums older than the 1970s.

 

[panasonicvac]

Unfortunately the used ones I'd come across with are totally worthless. All of them had the idler cables broken off. Because these Windtunnels are no longer made, they don't even make parts for them anymore. When I first got my Ultra, the cable broke but was lucky enough to get a replacement as soon as I did because that was when they were still being made. But if you want to get a Windtunnel, locally is your best option. Only if it works of course, I would not buy one that doesn't work. And I would not buy one from online like eBay or Craigslist, that is a risk, especially with how ridiculously expensive these are being sold for as is. I could buy a brand new Hoover today for less money and that even works better. Not to say that the self propelled models are terrible cleaners because honestly, I've used more worse Hoovers before.

 

[amtraksebo1997]

panasonicvac Ok? lots of vacuums that are second hand are trashed when you get them. I don't see how they're any different from any other vacuum in that regard. As for parts, I'm sure you'd be able to at least get a new switch for them, because come on, it's a rocker switch. Speaking of, did you ever replace the one on your Ultra that you showed off on your Youtube channel?

 

[panasonicvac]

Mine is from 2001, never had the switch replaced and I don't see a need to. Even if it was one of the models with a defective switch, I'm not going to bother fixing up something that I don't really use. This is one of the reasons why I'd recommend finding something locally because you can be able to see the vacuums up close in person before you'd consider buying. I always inspect the machines that would catch my interest to see if I want to buy it or not. Doesn't just include where it's been from the last home but also by estimating how much it'd cost to fix and restore it to like mint condition. I know there were machines in the past that I've sadly had to pass on even though I would've loved to have them. But I wasn't happy with the shape they were in. Either they were heavily abused like severely scratched up for example, too costly to fix, or parts were just not available to get anymore. There were a few Ultra Windtunnels that I saw at my local thrift store recently but all had broken cables so I chose to pass on them.

 

[wstonehockertv]

Also, let's not forget the reality that the Self-Propelled Windtunnels came from the Maytag era, as well as TTi. Given that parts for them are not so easy to find these days, I'm now convinced that the older models without the Self-Propelled feature are better. Hell, whatever TTi puts out these days is better.

 

[amtraksebo1997]

Panasonicvac the recall was only for models from 1998 and 1999, so you should be fine anyways.

 

[justjunque]

I just hit one of the local thrift stores for the first time in probably a couple of months.
There was a self-propelled WindTunnel.
I believe the serial number indicated a 1997 model; May or June, I think. I would describe the color as a sort of dark bluish green.
It had a few scrapes and scuffs, but nothing too bad. And I think the dusting brush was missing.
It was marked $9.99, and came with some spare bags.
I passed, because I have gotten to a point where it has to basically be something I feel like I have to have. Since I have no practical use for an upright, let alone a self-propelled one, I figured I'd leave it for someone who will really be thrilled with finding it.
It was a nice looking machine though.

Barry

 

[panasonicvac]

There's a black Turbopower 7500 and a green premium model made around during 1998-99 that I would love to find for my collection someday. But when or if I do, I'm still not going to bother replacing the switches on them. Seems rather pointless anyways because I wouldn't use either machine except for when I do YouTube videos.

The non-self propelled models are definitely for sure more reliable. But despite that, I still would buy the self propelled models over the non self propelled models. I really like the self propelled feature and I like that the brushroll can turn off either in upright position or when you switch it over to bare floors. When TTI took over, they've definitely made some improvements but also cheapened some things as well on these Windtunnels. Personally, I prefer the older Maytag/Whirlpool Self Propelled Windtunnels. The Ultra that I have, it's my all time favorite one.