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Echo-brand gas-powered grass trimmers, brush cutters, hedge clippers, power blowers, and power ed...

CPSC Recall #04-171 — June 28, 2004

Recall Summary

Recall Number04-171
Recall DateJune 28, 2004
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 540,000
ManufacturerEcho Inc., of Lake Zurich, Ill.
ImporterEcho Inc., of Lake Zurich, Ill.
Manufactured InUnited States

Where It Was Sold

Home Depot
home centers
hardware stores
and power equipment dealers nationwide from February 2003 to May 2004 for between $149 and $300.

Product

Echo-brand gas-powered grass trimmers, brush cutters, hedge clippers, power blowers, and power edgers

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Echo Inc., of Lake Zurich, Ill. is voluntarily recalling about 540,000 Echo-brand grass trimmers, brush cutters, hedge clippers, power blowers and power edgers. The fuel lines on these tools can develop an "alligator surface" appearance which could develop into a condition that will allow leakage of gasoline and fuel vapor, posing a fire hazard to consumers.Name of product: Echo-brand gas-powered grass trimmers, brush cutters, hedge clippers, power blowers, and power edgersUnits: About 540,000Manufacturer/Importer: Echo Inc., of Lake Zurich, Ill.Hazard: The fuel lines on these tools can develop an "alligator surface" appearance which could develop into a condition that will allow leakage of gasoline and fuel vapor, posing a fire hazard to consumers.Incidents/Injuries: Echo has received three reports of fuel leakage with no reported injuries or property damage.Description: The specific gas-powered tools involved are identified by the model and serial numbers on the following chart. The model number and serial number is written on the name plate on each product.ModelDescriptionStart S/NEnd S/NHC-150Hedge Clipper0503675105076594HC-150iHedge Clipper0500384305005681HC-151Hedge Clipper0600508306007241HCR-150Hedge Clipper0500136205002577HCR-151Hedge Clipper0600122706001271SHC-210Hedge Clipper0500640905009843SHC-211Hedge Clipper0600100106001029PB-200Power Blower0511341405210165PB-200Power Blower0601581406028130PE-200Power Edger0502228905044753PE-310Power Edger0300185103003116PE-311Power Edger0200108502001266PPF-210Power Pruner0500911205014016PPF-211Power Pruner0600127806001423ES-210Shred/n/Vac0503746205061058ES-211Shred/n/Vac0600199906003588GT-200iTrimmer0502062705030474GT-200RTrimmer0504738005147265GT-201iTrimmer0600164506001841GT-201RTrimmer0600811106013438SRM-210Trimmer0512042005278091SRM-210iTrimmer0501185605022111SRM-210SBTrimmer0500849305016331SRM-211Trimmer0600959906016954SRM-310Trimmer0300508103008383SRM-310STrimmer0300196803003296SRM-311Trimmer0200320002003724SRM-311STrimmer0200134702001431SRM-340Trimmer0300156103002148SRM-210UBrushcutter0500296105004671SRM-211UBrushcutter0600100106001028SRM-310UBrushcutter0300178203002571SRM-311UBrushcutter0200140502001601WP-1000Water Pump508419510025Sold at: Home Depot, home centers, hardware stores, and power equipment dealers nationwide from February 2003 to May 2004 for between $149 and $300.Manufactured in: United StatesRemedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled tools immediately and contact an Echo dealer for a free repair.Consumer Contact: For more information, consumers should call Echo toll-free at (800) 673-1558 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit Echo's website at www.echo-usa.com.

Hazard

The fuel lines on these tools can develop an "alligator surface" appearance which could develop into a condition that will allow leakage of gasoline and fuel vapor, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents & Injuries

Echo has received three reports of fuel leakage with no reported injuries or property damage.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the recalled tools immediately and contact an Echo 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.

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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.

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.

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