2004 Model Neuton Cordless Electric Lawnmowers
CPSC Recall #05-510 - November 16, 2004
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 05-510 |
| Recall Date | November 16, 2004 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | 25,000 |
| Importer | Country Home Products, Inc., of Vergennes, Vt. |
| Manufactured In | Taiwan |
Where It Was Sold
| The lawnmowers were sold nationwide from March 15 |
| 2004 through November 12 |
| 2004 through mail orders |
| internet |
| and retail stores for about $399. |
Product
2004 Model Neuton Cordless Electric Lawnmowers
Description
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Country Home Products, Inc., of Vergennes, Vt. is voluntarily recalling 25,000 2004 model Neuton cordless electric Lawnmowers. These lawnmowers contain an electronic switch in their handlebar. In certain instances this switch is not aligned properly, in which case the mower does not comply with the mandatory federal safety standard for lawnmowers under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. The safety standards require that lawn mowers contain a blade control system that includes a handlebar that is designed to cause the motor to stop in the event that the operator ceases to maintain a grip on the handlebar. In units containing the defective switch, when the handlebar is released, the motor continues to run which causes the blade to continue to spin. When this occurs, the potential for personal injury or property damage exists.Name of Product: 2004 Model Neuton Cordless Electric LawnmowersUnits: 25,000Importer: Country Home Products, Inc., of Vergennes, Vt.Hazard: These lawnmowers contain an electronic switch in their handlebar. In certain instances, this switch is not aligned properly, in which case the mower does not comply with the mandatory federal safety standard for lawnmowers under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. The safety standards require that lawn mowers contain a blade control system that includes a handlebar that is designed to cause the motor to stop in the event that the operator ceases to maintain a grip on the handlebar. In units containing the defective switch, when the handlebar is released, the motor continues to run which causes the blade to continue to spin. When this occurs, the potential for personal injury or property damage exists.Incidents/Injuries: No injuries or property damage have been reported. Country Home Products has received 23 reports that the mower and blade did not turn off when the handle was released.Description: The recalled lawnmowers were sold under the NEUTON name and carry model number 81030. NEUTON is printed on the front portion of the lawnmower. The lawnmowers have a 14-inch cutting width with rear bagging capability.Sold at: The lawnmowers were sold nationwide from March 15, 2004 through November 12, 2004 through mail orders, internet, and retail stores for about $399.Manufactured in: TaiwanRemedy: Known owners of the recalled lawn mower will be notified of this recall. Country Home Products is sending all registered owners instructions on how to determine if their lawnmower is affected by the recall. The defective handlebars will be replaced at no charge to consumers.If you have the Neuton lawnmower but have not received a set of instructions by December 1, 2004, please contact Country Home Products toll-free at (877) 405-7462 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Consumers may also view and download instructions from Country Home Products' website at www.chp.com.
Hazard
In units containing the defective switch, when the handlebar is released, the motor continues to run which causes the blade to continue to spin. When this occurs, the potential for personal injury or property damage exists.
Incidents & Injuries
No injuries or property damage have been reported. Country Home Products has received 23 reports that the mower and blade did not turn off when the handle was released.
Remedy Instructions
Known owners of the recalled lawn mower will be notified of this recall. Country Home Products is sending all registered owners instructions on how to determine if their lawnmower is affected by the recall. The defective handlebars will be replaced at no charge to consumers.
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.