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BR 500 and BR 550 Backpack Blowers

CPSC Recall #06-008 — October 17, 2005

Recall Summary

Recall Number06-008
Recall DateOctober 17, 2005
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 6,230
ManufacturerStihl Inc. of Virginia Beach, Va.
Manufactured InU.S.A.

Where It Was Sold

Authorized Stihl dealers nationwide from January 2005 through May 2005 for about $450.

Product

BR 500 and BR 550 Backpack Blowers

Description

These backpack blowers have serial numbers ranging from 264264925 through 264740832 which are located on top of the engine's cylinder on the fin. The spark plug boot can be removed to view the serial number from the exterior of the blower.

Hazard

The fan wheel on these backpack blowers could break, resulting in pieces of plastic flying out of the blower housing. This poses a risk of injury to the user or a bystander.

Incidents & Injuries

Stihl has received five reports of the fan wheel breaking. No injuries have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using these blowers immediately and return them to an authorized Stihl dealer for a free repair.

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.

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.

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