John Deere X300 Select Series Lawn Tractors

CPSC Recall #06-577 — August 28, 2006

Recall Summary

Recall Number06-577
Recall DateAugust 28, 2006
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 16,000
ManufacturerDeere & Company of Moline, Ill.
Manufactured InUnited States

Where It Was Sold

Authorized John Deere dealers nationwide from April 2006 through May 2006 for between $2
800 and $5
000.

Product

John Deere X300 Select Series Lawn Tractors

Description

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Deere & Company of Moline, Ill., is voluntarily recalling about 16,000 John Deere X300 Select Series Lawn Tractors. A problem in the manufacturing process could cause damage to the circuit in the interlock module. If the interlock module fails, the mower blades will be able to run with no operator on the tractor seat. Consumers could suffer injuries from contact with operating blades. Name of Product: John Deere X300 Select Series Lawn TractorsUnits: About 16,000Manufacturer: Deere & Company of Moline, Ill.Hazard: A problem in the manufacturing process could cause damage to the circuit in the interlock module. If the interlock module fails, the mower blades will be able to run with no operator on the tractor seat. Consumers could suffer injuries from contact with operating blades.Incidents/Injuries: No incidents or injuries have been reported.Description: These John Deere X300 Select Series lawn tractors are green with yellow seats and wheels. The following model and serial numbers can be found on the serial number plate on the tractor's frame, which is located just above the front wheel axle on the right side of the tractor.ModelSerial Number RangesX300M0X300A012380 - 012875X300M0X300C020339 - 024949X300M0X300D011842 - 012375X304M0X304A013047 - 013964X320M0X320A017344 - 020858X324M0X324A012658 - 013220X340M0X340A012667 - 013498Sold at: Authorized John Deere dealers nationwide from April 2006 through May 2006 for between $2,800 and $5,000.Manufactured in: United StatesRemedy: The company is directly notifying those consumers who purchased an affected tractor. Consumers should contact a John Deere dealer for a free repair.Consumer Contact: For more information, contact John Deere's Customer Contact Center at (800) 537-8233 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET Saturday, or at the John Deere Web site at www.deere.com.

Hazard

A problem in the manufacturing process could cause damage to the circuit in the interlock module. If the interlock module fails, the mower blades will be able to run with no operator on the tractor seat. Consumers could suffer injuries from contact with operating blades.

Incidents & Injuries

No incidents or injuries have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

The company is directly notifying those consumers who purchased an affected tractor. Consumers should contact a John Deere dealer 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.

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.