"Harmony II" lawnmowers
CPSC Recall #00-095 — April 10, 2000
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 00-095 |
| Recall Date | April 10, 2000 |
| Remedy Type | Inspect, Repair |
| Units Affected | About 112,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Honda power equipment dealers and The Home Depot sold the lawnmowers nationwide from May 1998 through January 2000 for about $430. |
Product
"Harmony II" lawnmowers
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), American Honda Motor Co. Inc., of Torrance, Calif., is recalling about 112,000 lawnmowers. The lawnmowers' fuel tanks' seam can split or crack, leaking fuel, and creating a fire and burn hazard to consumers. American Honda Motor Co. has 25 reports of fuel leaking from these lawnmowers. There have been no fires or injuries reported. The recall involves Harmony II walk-behind mowers with model numbers HRT216, HRR216 and HRS216. "Harmony II" and the model number are written on the front of the lawnmowers. The recalled mowers have an engine serial number between 1128495 and 1438098. The engine serial number is located under the fan cover, stamped into the engine case. The lawnmowers are dark gray with red fan covers. "HONDA" is written on the top of the fan casing. Honda power equipment dealers and The Home Depot sold the lawnmowers nationwide from May 1998 through January 2000 for about $430. Consumers should stop using these lawnmowers immediately, and check to see if the gas tank is leaking. If there is a leak, immediately move the mower away from any possible ignition sources, for example, water heaters or electric appliances. Empty the fuel tank by following owner manual instructions. Consumers should take these mowers to a Honda power equipment dealer who will inspect and replace the fuel tanks free of charge. For dealer locations and more information, call American Honda Motor Co. at (800) 426-7701 anytime, or visit the company's website at http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/recall.html.
Hazard
The lawnmowers' fuel tanks' seam can split or crack, leaking fuel, and creating a fire and burn hazard to consumers.
Incidents & Injuries
American Honda Motor Co. has 25 reports of fuel leaking from these lawnmowers. There have been no fires or injuries reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using these lawnmowers immediately, and check to see if the gas tank is leaking. If there is a leak, immediately move the mower away from any possible ignition sources, for example, water heaters or electric appliances. Empty the fuel tank by following owner manual instructions. Consumers should take these mowers to a Honda power equipment dealer who will inspect and replace the fuel tanks free of charge.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Inspect, 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 (Inspect, 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.