Dual Fuel Portable Generators
CPSC Recall #20-185 — September 16, 2020
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 20-185 |
| Recall Date | September 16, 2020 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | About 7,500 |
| Importer | MWE Investments, of Columbus, Ohio |
| Manufactured In | China and Vietnam |
Where It Was Sold
| The WGen500DFv was sold at Sam’s Club nationwide and online at SamsClub.com. The iGen4500DF was sold online at amazon.com |
| homedepot.com |
| lowes.com |
| electricgeneratorsdirect.com |
| powerequipmentdirect.com |
| norwall.com |
| and other online locations. The generators were sold from January 2020 through May 2020 for between $450 and $1 |
| 050 |
| depending on the model. |
Product
Dual Fuel Portable Generators
Description
This recall involves Westinghouse WGen5300DFv Dual Fuel Portable Generators and Westinghouse iGen4500DF Dual Fuel Inverter Portable Generators with manufacture dates from October 2019 through December 2019. The dual fuel generators can run on gasoline or propane. The WGen5300DFv has a bright blue and black metal exterior and has “Westinghouse” and “WGen5300DFv” printed in white lettering on the control panel on the side of the generator. The generator has a fold down handle and wheels for portability. The generator measures about 23.3 inches long by 20 inches wide inches by 19.29 inches tall without its wheel kit. It weighs about 129 pounds. The iGen4500DF has a bright blue plastic cover and has “Westinghouse iGen4500DF” printed in white lettering on both side panels. The generator measures about 29.7 inches long by 19.7 wide inches by 22 inches tall. It weighs about 105 pounds. Affected units will have one of the following serial numbers, which can be found on the unit’s back panel (the “x” fields are specific to individual units): 04511A1019xxxxxxxxx 04511A1219xxxxxxxxx 5311A1219xxxxxxxxx
Hazard
The recalled portable generators can leak fuel, posing a fire and burn hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
The firm has received 26 reports of fuel leaking from the fuel valve. No fires, injuries, or property damage have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled generators and contact MWE Investments to arrange for a free repair.
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.
If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident — they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
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.