ECHO and Shindaiwa Backpack Blowers and replacement straps
CPSC Recall #20-086 — March 5, 2020
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 20-086 |
| Recall Date | March 5, 2020 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | About 67,700 blowers and 6,600 replacement straps |
| Manufacturer | ECHO Inc., of Lake Zurich, Ill. |
| Manufactured In | United States |
Where It Was Sold
| Independent ECHO and Shindaiwa outdoor power equipment dealers and online at www.HomeDepot.com and www.Grainger.com between August 2018 and February 2020 for about $600 for blowers and $30 for replacement straps. |
Product
ECHO and Shindaiwa Backpack Blowers and replacement straps
Description
This recall involves ECHO and Shindaiwa brand 2-cycle gas powered commercial backpack blowers with shoulder straps. This recall also includes replacement shoulder straps. The model and serial numbers can be found on the blower’s engine block. The ECHO or Shindaiwa logo appears on the shoulder strap, and the replacement strap part number appears on the plastic bag at the time of sale. Backpack blower ModelsStart Serial NumberEnd Serial NumberPB-8010H P48715001001P48715999999PB-8010H P52315001001P52315011904PB-8010TP48615001001P48615999999PB-8010TP52415001001P52415014244EB810P52515001001P52515002697EB810RTP52015001001P52015999999EB810RTP52615001001P52615003792 Spare Parts – Replacement Straps Part NumberECHO Right shoulder strap P/N C061000780ECHO Right shoulder strapP/N C061000781ECHO Left shoulder strapP/N C061000790ECHO Left shoulder strapP/N C061000791Shindaiwa Right shoulder strapP/N C061000861Shindaiwa Left shoulder strapP/N C061000871
Hazard
The blower’s shoulder straps, plastic buckles, or the anti-static ground wire can be drawn into the blower fan and fan housing causing plastic pieces to be expelled from the machine, posing laceration and impact hazards.
Incidents & Injuries
The firm has received 62 reports of incidents, including one minor injury, when pieces of blower were expelled from the machine, hitting a consumer in the neck.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using the backpack blowers and return them to an authorized ECHO or Shindaiwa dealer for a free repair. To locate the nearest authorized dealer, go to the ECHO Store Locator at www.echo-usa.com or the Shindaiwa Dealer Locator at www.shindaiwa-usa.com.
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.