Shindaiwa Backpack Blowers

CPSC Recall #07-289 — August 23, 2007

Recall Summary

Recall Number07-289
Recall DateAugust 23, 2007
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 22,000
ManufacturerShindaiwa Kogyo Co., Ltd., Hiroshima, Japan
ImporterShindaiwa Inc., Tualatin, Oregon

Where It Was Sold

Shindaiwa dealers nationwide from September 2005 through May 2007 for about $600.

Product

Shindaiwa Backpack Blowers

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Shindaiwa Inc., Tualatin, Oregon, is voluntarily recalling about 22,000 Shindaiwa Backpack Blowers. The muffler's outer shell can melt allowing exhaust gas to exit from the bottom or back side of the muffler. The exhaust gas may cause damage to the fuel tank creating a possible fire hazard for the user.Name of Product: Shindaiwa Backpack BlowersUnits: About 22,000Importer: Shindaiwa Inc., Tualatin, OregonHazard: The muffler's outer shell can melt allowing exhaust gas to exit from the bottom or back side of the muffler. The exhaust gas may cause damage to the fuel tank creating a possible fire hazard for the user.Incidents/Injuries: Shindaiwa is aware of one incident where a small muffler fire was involved with no property damage and no injuries.Description: This recall involves Shindaiwa Models EB8510 and EB8510RT. All models up to serial #7025018 are included. After serial number 7025018, the leaf blower has been upgraded with stainless steel muffler shells. The backpack blowers weight approximately 24 pounds and include Serial Numbers through February 2007 production (S/N 702XXXX) which are located on the side label. These machines are blue with a red label that reads, Shindaiwa.Sold by: Shindaiwa dealers nationwide from September 2005 through May 2007 for about $600.Manufactured by: Shindaiwa Kogyo Co., Ltd., Hiroshima, JapanRemedy: Consumers should stop using the backpack blowers immediately and contact Shindaiwa for the closest dealer location to schedule a free muffler replacement. Consumers who have registered their equipment should have already received correspondence from Shindaiwa about this recall.Consumer Contact: For more information contact Shindaiwa at (800) 521-7733 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm's website at www.shindaiwa.com.

Hazard

The muffler's outer shell can melt allowing exhaust gas to exit from the bottom or back side of the muffler. The exhaust gas may cause damage to the fuel tank creating a possible fire hazard for the user.

Incidents & Injuries

Shindaiwa is aware of one incident where a small muffler fire was involved with no property damage and no injuries.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the backpack blowers immediately and contact Shindaiwa for the closest dealer location to schedule a free muffler replacement. Consumers who have registered their equipment should have already received correspondence from Shindaiwa about this recall.

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.

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.