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Backpack blowers

CPSC Recall #01-178 — June 25, 2001

Recall Summary

Recall Number01-178
Recall DateJune 25, 2001
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 50,500

Where It Was Sold

Home centers
hardware stores and manufacturer dealers nationwide sold these blowers for between $400 and $750.

Product

Backpack blowers

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), five firms are recalling about 50,500 backpack blowers. The fuel tanks on these blowers can leak, posing a fire hazard and risk of burn injuries to consumers.The following firms are conducting this recall: Husqvarna Forest & Garden Co., of Charlotte, N.C.; John Deere Consumer Products Inc., of Moline, Ill.; Makita U.S.A. Inc., of La Mirada, Calif.; Carswell Import & Marketing Associates Inc., of Winston-Salem, N.C.; and Tilton Equipment Co., of Rye, N.H.Carswell has received 159 reports of leaking fuel tanks on these blowers. Makita U.S.A has received 55 reports of leaks. John Deere has received five reports of leaks. No injuries have been reported. The other firms have not had reports of leaks.The recalled blowers all have their brand name, model number and serial number written on the units. Consumers should check with the manufacturer to determine if their blower is part of the recall. Consumers should have their serial number available when they contact the firm. ManufacturerModel NumberDates SoldToll-Free Number/Web SiteHusqvarna Forest & Garden Co.155BT and 155BFSold from June 1998 through June 2001(800) 438-7297www.husqvarna.comJohn Deere Consumer Products Inc.UT 26113, UT08093 and UT08104Sold from January 1998 through April 2001(800) 537-8233www.johndeere.comMakita U.S.A. Inc.RBL500Sold from March 1997 through January 2001(800) 625-4828www.makitaope.comCarswell Import & Marketing Associates Inc.FL500Sold from December 1996 through June 2001(800) 929-1948www.carswelldist.comTilton Equipment Co.TB50Sold from August 2000 through May 2001(800) 447-1152www.tiltonequipment.comHome centers, hardware stores and manufacturer dealers nationwide sold these blowers for between $400 and $750.Consumers should stop using the recalled blowers immediately, and contact the manufacturer to have their blower repaired free of charge.

Hazard

The fuel tanks on these blowers can leak, posing a fire hazard and risk of burn injuries to consumers.

Incidents & Injuries

Carswell has received 159 reports of leaking fuel tanks on these blowers. Makita U.S.A has received 55 reports of leaks. John Deere has received five reports of leaks. No injuries have been reported. The other firms have not had reports of leaks.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the recalled blowers immediately, and contact the manufacturer to have their blower repaired free of charge.

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.

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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 (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.

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