STIHL BF-KM Mini-Cultivator attachments

CPSC Recall #20-193 — September 30, 2020

Recall Summary

Recall Number20-193
Recall DateSeptember 30, 2020
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 185,000
ManufacturerSTIHL Incorporated, of Virginia Beach, VA
Manufactured InUnited States

Where It Was Sold

Authorized STIHL servicing dealers nationwide from January 2005 through August 2020 for about $190.

Product

STIHL BF-KM Mini-Cultivator attachments

Description

The recalled mini-cultivator is one of 15 interchangeable attachments to the STIHL KombiMotor KM model powerheads, which are sold separately.  The mini-cultivator is used to break up loose soil.  It has four black discs with tines mounted to a gearbox and attached to a metal drive tube with a black deflector.  The mini-cultivator attachment should have been assembled by the STIHL dealer and not sold in a box or assembled by the consumer.  The recalled mini-cultivator attachments are those with the gearbox installed upside down. 

Hazard

The gearbox could have mistakenly been installed upside down by the STIHL dealer causing the tines to rotate backwards toward the operator, posing a laceration hazard to the user. 

Incidents & Injuries

STIHL Inc. has received 12 reports of incidents, including six reports of lacerations to consumers.  

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled mini-cultivator attachment and take it to an authorized STIHL servicing dealer for a free inspection and free proper assembly.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Repair) at no cost to you.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.