John Deere Compact Utility Tractors
CPSC Recall #04-545 — April 8, 2004
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 04-545 |
| Recall Date | April 8, 2004 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | 300 |
| Manufacturer | John Deere, of Moline, Ill. |
| Manufactured In | United States |
Where It Was Sold
| Authorized John Deere dealers nationwide during January and February 2004 for between $18 |
| 000 and $21 |
| 500. |
Product
John Deere Compact Utility Tractors
Description
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), John Deere, of Moline, Ill., is voluntarily recalling 300 John Deere Compact Utility Tractors. Some of the steel bolts used to secure Roll Over Protective Structure (ROPS) to the tractor's real axle can shear off, decreasing the strength of the ROPS and its ability to protect the operator in the event of a roll over incident. Name of Product: John Deere Compact Utility TractorsUnits: 300Manufacturer: John Deere, of Moline, Ill.Hazard: Some of the steel bolts used to secure Roll Over Protective Structure (ROPS) to the tractor's real axle can shear off, decreasing the strength of the ROPS and its ability to protect the operator in the event of a roll over incident.Incidents/Injuries: John Deere is aware of three incidents where the bolts have sheared off, all which were discovered during factory inspections. There have been no reported injuries.Description: These vehicles are small agricultural tractors that 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:ModelSerial Range4210 CUT with Hydrostatic TransmissionLV4210H320674 through LV4210H3207734310 CUT with Hydrostatic TransmissionLV4310H331062 through LV4310H3313594310 CUT with PowrReverser TransmissionLV4310P335452 through LV4310P3355504410 CUT with Hydrostatic TransmissionLV4410H340381 through LV4410H3405924410 CUT with PowrReverser TransmissionLV4410P345138 through LV4410P345179Sold at: Authorized John Deere dealers nationwide during January and February 2004 for between $18,000 and $21,500.Manufactured In: United States of AmericaRemedy: The company is directly notifying purchasers. Consumers should stop using their tractors immediately and contact a John Deere dealer for a free repair.Consumer Contact: For more information, contact John Deere's Customer Communications Center at (800) 537-8233 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday and between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET Saturday, or at the John Deere website at www.johndeere.com.
Hazard
Some of the steel bolts used to secure Roll Over Protective Structure (ROPS) to the tractor's real axle can shear off, decreasing the strength of the ROPS and its ability to protect the operator in the event of a roll over incident.
Incidents & Injuries
John Deere is aware of three incidents where the bolts have sheared off, all which were discovered during factory inspections. There have been no reported injuries.
Remedy Instructions
The company is directly notifying purchasers. Consumers should stop using their tractors immediately and 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.