Toro zero-turn riding lawn mowers
CPSC Recall #03-523 — February 12, 2003
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 03-523 |
| Recall Date | February 12, 2003 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | About 400 |
Where It Was Sold
| Authorized Toro dealers sold these mowers nationwide from August 2001 through August 2002 |
| with a manufacturer's suggested retail between $8 |
| 306 and $8 |
| 528. |
Product
Toro zero-turn riding lawn mowers
Description
PRODUCT: Lawn Mowers - The Toro Company, of Bloomington, Minn., is voluntarily recalling about 400 zero turn riding lawn mowers. The 20 horsepower mowers are as follows:ModelSerial RangeDescription74178220000101-22001009520 HP 52" cut zero-turn radius mower74178230000101-23000015020 HP 52" cut zero-turn radius mowerThe model number can be found on a silver identification plate attached to the frame of the lawn mower near the right hand drive wheel. Authorized Toro dealers sold these mowers nationwide from August 2001 through August 2002, with a manufacturer's suggested retail between $8306 and $8528.PROBLEM: The engines for these products had fuel lines that were too long and could possibly droop and come in contact with moving parts that can cut the fuel lines, resulting in fuel leakage.INCIDENTS/INJURIES: Toro has received no reports of fuel leaks, fires, or injuries.WHAT TO DO: Consumers should stop using their lawn mowers until the fuel lines can be shortened. Registered owners should already have received a letter with enclosed instruction sheet and reply card for this modification. Contact Toro at 1-800-718-8995 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday for a free repair kit, or contact a Toro dealer for a free repair. For more information, contact Toro or visit the firm's website at www.toro.com.
Hazard
The engines for these products had fuel lines that were too long and could possibly droop and come in contact with moving parts that can cut the fuel lines, resulting in fuel leakage.
Incidents & Injuries
Toro has received no reports of fuel leaks, fires, or injuries.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using their lawn mowers until the fuel lines can be shortened. Registered owners should already have received a letter with enclosed instruction sheet and reply card for this modification. Contact Toro at 1-800-718-8995 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday for a free repair kit, or contact a Toro dealer for a free repair. For more information, contact Toro or visit the firm's website at www.toro.com.
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.