STIHL battery-powered hedge trimmers
CPSC Recall #16-195 - June 14, 2016
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 16-195 |
| Recall Date | June 14, 2016 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 8,000 (in addition, about 1,000 were sold in Canada) |
| Manufacturer | "VIKING GmbH, of Austria" |
| Importer | STIHL Inc., of Virginia Beach, Va. |
| Manufactured In | Austria |
Where It Was Sold
| Authorized STIHL dealers nationwide from June 2010 through April 2016 for about $300. |
Product
STIHL battery-powered hedge trimmers
Description
"The hedge trimmer can operate faster than expected, continue running after the trigger is released or operate by depressing either the trigger or the front handle switch individually"
Hazard
The hedge trimmer can operate faster than expected, continue running after the trigger is released or operate by depressing either the trigger or the front handle switch individually, posing a laceration hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
STIHL Inc. has received seven reports of the trigger or front handle switch not operating properly. No injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled trimmer and return it to an authorized STIHL dealer for a free replacement battery-powered hedge trimmer.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace 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 (Replace) 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.