Power Equipment Engines
CPSC Recall #03-046 - November 26, 2002
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 03-046 |
| Recall Date | November 26, 2002 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | About 25,000 |
| Manufactured In | United States |
Where It Was Sold
| Products equipped with the recalled engines were sold by retailers and dealers nationwide from June 2002 through November 2002. Sears |
| Roebuck & Co. distributed a limited quantity of these recalled products under its Craftsman brand name. |
Product
Power Equipment Engines
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Tecumseh Products Co., Tecumseh, Mich., is voluntarily recalling about 25,000 engines used in various outdoor power equipment. A misrouted fuel line in the engine can become damaged, allowing gasoline to leak out, posing a fire hazard to consumers.Tecumseh has not received any reports of incidents. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.The recalled engines, which were manufactured in the United States, have model numbers HMSK 80 through 110 and HM 80 through 100, which can be found on the lower left side of the engine housing. The recalled engines also have a date of manufacture code (DOM) between 02175 and 02268 followed by the letter "C", which can be found on the engine identification decal. The HMSK models are 8 to 11 horsepower Snow King® snowthrower engines, while the HM models are 8 to 10 horsepower Utility engines. The power equipment, brand names, and retailers involved in this recall include: Power EquipmentBrand NameRetailers/DealersSnowthrowersAriensSimplicitySnapperToroHome Depot, Ariens Dealers, Blaine's Farm, FleetSimplicity DealersSnapper DealersToro DealersChipper-ShreddersMTD Yard MachinesMighty MacMerry MacBaker, EarthquakeSimplicityMenards, Northern Tool, Home DepotMackissic DealersNorthern ToolArdisam DealersSimplicity DealersGeneratorsColeman PowermateNorth StarMenardsNorthern ToolPressure WashersTilton Aqua-StripperTilton Hydra StormTilton DealersHydra Storm DealersWheeled Leaf BlowersMTD Yard MachinesHome DepotProducts equipped with the recalled engines were sold by retailers and dealers nationwide from June 2002 through November 2002. Sears, Roebuck & Co. distributed a limited quantity of these recalled products under its Craftsman brand name. Equipment owners will receive direct mail notice from Sears about this recall.Consumers should stop using the power equipment immediately and contact Tecumseh at (888) 271-4048 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to schedule a free engine repair. Consumers also can log on to the company's website at www.tecumsehpower.com. Engines that have a yellow dot painted on the fuel line have already been inspected or repaired and are not included in this recall.
Hazard
A misrouted fuel line in the engine can become damaged, allowing gasoline to leak out, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
Incidents & Injuries
Tecumseh has not received any reports of incidents. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the power equipment immediately and contact Tecumseh at (888) 271-4048 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to schedule a free engine repair. Consumers also can log on to the company's website at www.tecumsehpower.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.
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.