Troy-Bilt and Craftsman Brand Gasoline Chain Saws
CPSC Recall #07-040 - November 27, 2006
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 07-040 |
| Recall Date | November 27, 2006 |
| Remedy Type | - |
| Units Affected | About 76,000 |
| Importer | MTD Southwest Inc., of Tempe, Ariz. |
Where It Was Sold
| The Troy-Bilt brand chain saws were sold at independent retailers |
| home improvement and hardware stores nationwide from January 2004 through June 2006 for between $200 and $250. The Craftsman brand chain saws were sold at Sears and Kmart stores nationwide from January 2004 through June 2006 for between $190 and $230. |
Product
Troy-Bilt and Craftsman Brand Gasoline Chain Saws
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), MTD Southwest Inc., of Tempe, Ariz., is voluntarily recalling about 76,000 Troy-Bilt and Craftsman Brand Gasoline Chain Saws. The chain saw's plastic front handle can break during operation. If this occurs, the saw would be difficult to control and poses a risk for lacerations.Name of Product: Troy-Bilt and Craftsman Brand Gasoline Chain SawsUnits: About 76,000Importer: MTD Southwest Inc., of Tempe, Ariz.Hazard: The chain saw's plastic front handle can break during operation. If this occurs, the saw would be difficult to control and poses a risk for lacerations.Incidents/Injuries: MTD has received two reports of consumers losing control of the saw when the handles broke during use. One consumer reported bruising to his elbow and the other received burns to his fingers after contacting the muffler when the chain saw he was using broke and he lost control of the saw.Description: These Troy-Bilt and Craftsman brand chainsaws are powered by a two-cycle gasoline engine ranging in size from 46cc to 55cc. They are equipped with either an 18-inch or 20-inch bar. There are four Troy-Bilt models affected: 41AY00AR966, 41AY60AR766, 41AY90AR766 and 41AY08AR966. There is one Craftsman "Incredi-Pull" model affected: a 55cc two-cycle gasoline engine with an 18-inch bar and model number 316.350840. The model number of the chain saw is located on the engine casing.Sold at: The Troy-Bilt brand chain saws were sold at independent retailers, home improvement and hardware stores nationwide from January 2004 through June 2006 for between $200 and $250. The Craftsman brand chain saws were sold at Sears and Kmart stores nationwide from January 2004 through June 2006 for between $190 and $230.Remedy: Consumers should stop using these chain saws immediately, and contact MTD to receive a free service kit with a replacement handle and installation instructions. Sears customers will be mailed a free service kit with a replacement handle and installation instructions.Consumer Contact: For more information, contact MTD toll-free at (888) 848-6038 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or log onto the company's Web site at www.troybilt.com - customers should call a toll free number at (800) 659-7026 between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday.
Hazard
The chain saw's plastic front handle can break during operation. If this occurs, the saw would be difficult to control and poses a risk for lacerations.
Incidents & Injuries
MTD has received two reports of consumers losing control of the saw when the handles broke during use. One consumer reported bruising to his elbow and the other received burns to his fingers after contacting the muffler when the chain saw he was using broke and he lost control of the saw.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using these chain saws immediately, and contact MTD to receive a free service kit with a replacement handle and installation instructions. Sears customers will be mailed a free service kit with a replacement handle and installation instructions.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a remedy 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 (refund, replacement, or 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.