Toro and Exmark brand commercial duty zero-turn radius riding mowers
CPSC Recall #01-526 — July 19, 2001
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 01-526 |
| Recall Date | July 19, 2001 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | Approximately 39,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Toro and Exmark commercial dealers sold these riding mowers nationwide between January 1998 through March 2001 for between $6300 to $11 |
| 200. |
Product
Toro and Exmark brand commercial duty zero-turn radius riding mowers
Description
PRODUCT: Riding Mowers - The Toro Company, of Bloomington, Minn., is voluntarily recalling approximately 39,000 Toro and Exmark brand commercial duty zero turn radius riding mowers. The recall involves Toro and Exmark mowers equipped with engine sizes from 17 to 26 HP and mowing deck widths from 44 to 72 inches. Toro and Exmark commercial dealers sold these riding mowers nationwide between January 1998 through March 2001 for between $6300 to $11,200. The mowers can be identified from a decal located on the right side of the operating console below the seat. Included are:Exmark Lazer HP Models:LHP4417KALHP4419KALHP4819KALHP4821KALHP5223KALHP4418KCLHP4818KCLHP4820KCLHP5220KCLHP5223KCExmark Lazer Models:LZ22LKA523LZ23LKA523LZ23LKA524LZ22LKA604LZ23LKA424LZ27LKA604LZ27LKA724LZ26KC604LZ26KC724LZ23KA604Toro Zmaster Z-100 Series Models:7417074171741727417374174741757417674178741797419774198Toro Zmaster Z-200 Series Models:742117421274213742147421674218742197424074241PROBLEM: Spilled fuel can ignite during refueling when fuel vapors are drawn into the hot muffler.INCIDENTS/INJURIES: Toro has received 28 reports of fires and 12 reports of minor burn injuries, mainly to commercial users. WHAT TO DO: Call Exmark at 800-479-8379 or Toro at 888-577-7466 for assistance in determining if the riding mower is part of the recall. If so, local Exmark or Toro dealers will install a spark arrester and (selected Exmark models only) a new fuel tank for free. Registered owners should already have been contacted by letter.
Hazard
Spilled fuel can ignite during refueling when fuel vapors are drawn into the hot muffler.
Incidents & Injuries
Toro has received 28 reports of fires and 12 reports of minor burn injuries, mainly to commercial users.
Remedy Instructions
Call Exmark at 800-479-8379 or Toro at 888-577-7466 for assistance in determining if the riding mower is part of the recall. If so, local Exmark or Toro dealers will install a spark arrester and (selected Exmark models only) a new fuel tank for free.
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.