Hitachi circular saws

CPSC Recall #03-101 — March 26, 2003

Recall Summary

Recall Number03-101
Recall DateMarch 26, 2003
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 14,300

Where It Was Sold

Home centers
hardware stores and industrial suppliers nationwide sold these circular saws from August 2002 through March 2003 for between $90 and $100.

Product

Hitachi circular saws

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Hitachi Koki U.S.A., Ltd., of Norcross, Ga., is voluntarily recalling about 14,300 circular saws. The lower blade guards on these saws can stick in the open position, exposing the blade and posing a serious laceration hazard.Hitachi has not received any reports of injuries, but has received two reports from consumers of the lower guards sticking.The recall involves 7 1/4-inch circular saws with model numbers C7SB2 or C7BD2 and serial numbers that begin with C62, C72, C82, C92, C02 or CN2. The model number is located on the green nameplate on the motor housing below the name "Hitachi." The serial number is stamped at the lower right of the nameplate. The saw's housing is green and the name "Hitachi" also is written on the metal blade guard.Home centers, hardware stores and industrial suppliers nationwide sold these circular saws from August 2002 through March 2003 for between $90 and $100.Consumers should stop using these circular saws immediately and return them to Hitachi for a free repair. For more information, contact Hitachi at (800) 706-7337 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.Hitachi circular saws with a circle stamped on the UPC label on the box are not included in this recall. Saws that have a light gray plastic stop between the upper and lower blade guards where they overlap also are not included in this recall.

Hazard

The lower blade guards on these saws can stick in the open position, exposing the blade and posing a serious laceration hazard.

Incidents & Injuries

Hitachi has not received any reports of injuries, but has received two reports from consumers of the lower guards sticking.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using these circular saws immediately and return them to Hitachi 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.