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Black & Decker 19-inch Cordless Twin Motor Lawn Mower

CPSC Recall #80-037 - October 1, 1980

Recall Summary

Recall Number80-037
Recall DateOctober 1, 1980
Remedy TypeNo Remedy Available
Units AffectedApproximately 18,000

Product

Black & Decker 19-inch Cordless Twin Motor Lawn Mower

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. ( October 2, 1980 ) -- Owners of more than 18,000 cordless battery-powered lawn mowers are being warned that a possible defect in the mower's battery may pose a fire hazard while the mower sits unused in a garage or storage area. The warning is being issued jointly by the manufacturer, Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc. of Towson, Maryland, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The company has received eight separate complaints from consumers reporting that the battery on their lawn mower caught on fire while in storage. Black & Decker currently is conducting tests on their model 8055 cordless battery-powered mowers to determine the exact cause of the fires. There have been no reports of injuries or deaths related to the fires. In addition, neither CPSC nor the company has received reports of battery fires occurring while the lawn mowers were being used by consumers. The Black & Decker lawn mowers are orange and white in color and have two blades which produce a 19-inch cut. They were manufactured in 1976 and sold nationwide in hardware stores and other retail outlets between January, 1976 and August, 1980. The model number 8055 is embossed with the words "19-inch Cordless Twin Motor" on the top of the plastic housing next to the battery. While the company is conducting tests and developing a program to repair the lawn mowers, consumers are being urged to remove the fuses from the battery before placing the mower in storage. Consumers also are being advised to store the mower at a safe distance from flammable materials. To obtain instructions on how to remove the battery fuses, other safety precautions, and to arrange for future corrections by Black & Decker Service Centers, consumers should call Black & Decker's toll-free number at 800-638-3830. Maryland residents should Call Black & Decker collect at 301-820-2406.

Hazard

Owners of more than 18,000 cordless battery-powered lawn mowers are being warned that a possible defect in the mower's battery may pose a fire hazard while the mower sits unused in a garage or storage area.

Incidents & Injuries

The company has received eight separate complaints from consumers reporting that the battery on their lawn mower caught on fire while in storage. There have been no reports of injuries or deaths related to the fires.

Remedy Instructions

While the company is conducting tests and developing a program to repair the lawn mowers, consumers are being urged to remove the fuses from the battery before placing the mower in storage. Consumers also are being advised to store the mower at a safe distance from flammable materials. To obtain instructions on how to remove the battery fuses, other safety precautions, and to arrange for future corrections by Black & Decker Service Centers, consumers should call Black & Decker's toll-free number at 800-638-3830.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a No Remedy Available at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

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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 (No Remedy Available) 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.

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