Shindaiwa Backpack Blowers
CPSC Recall #06-146 — April 25, 2006
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 06-146 |
| Recall Date | April 25, 2006 |
| Remedy Type | Inspect, Repair |
| Units Affected | About 87,000 |
| Importer | Shindaiwa, of Tualatin, Ore. |
| Manufactured In | Japan |
Where It Was Sold
| Shindaiwa dealers nationwide from July 1999 through February 2006 for about $545. |
Product
Shindaiwa Backpack Blowers
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Shindaiwa, of Tualatin, Ore., is voluntarily recalling about 87,000 Shindaiwa Backpack Blowers. The backpack blower's muffler support bracket can break, creating an opening in the muffler body. Hot exhaust gases could then escape from the muffler and melt the fuel tank or ignite grease or debris around the fuel tank, posing a fire hazard.Name of Product: Shindaiwa Backpack BlowersUnits: About 87,000Importer: Shindaiwa, of Tualatin, Ore.Hazard: The backpack blower's muffler support bracket can break, creating an opening in the muffler body. Hot exhaust gases could then escape from the muffler and melt the fuel tank or ignite grease or debris around the fuel tank, posing a fire hazard.Incidents/Injuries: Shindaiwa received one report of fire. No injuries reported.Description and Models: The Shindaiwa gasoline-powered backpack blowers are red and black with a white fuel tank. Model numbers EB630 or EB630RT are printed on the body of the blowers along with Shindaiwa.Sold by: Shindaiwa dealers nationwide from July 1999 through February 2006 for about $545.Manufactured In: JapanRemedy: Consumers should stop using the backpack blowers immediately and contact Shindaiwa for the closest dealer location to schedule a free inspection and a free repair if necessary. Consumers who have registered their equipment will receive direct correspondence from Shindaiwa about this recall.Consumer Contact: For additional 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 Web site at www.shindaiwa.com.
Hazard
The backpack blower's muffler support bracket can break, creating an opening in the muffler body. Hot exhaust gases could then escape from the muffler and melt the fuel tank or ignite grease or debris around the fuel tank, posing a fire hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
Shindaiwa received one report of fire. No injuries reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the backpack blowers immediately and contact Shindaiwa for the closest dealer location to schedule a free inspection and a free repair if necessary. Consumers who have registered their equipment will receive direct correspondence from Shindaiwa about this recall.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Inspect, 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 (Inspect, Repair) 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.