Briggs & Stratton Model 40 V-Twin Engine
CPSC Recall #11-719 — January 31, 2011
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 11-719 |
| Recall Date | January 31, 2011 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | About 50 |
| Manufacturer | Briggs & Stratton Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis. |
| Manufactured In | USA |
Where It Was Sold
| Sears |
| under the Craftsman brand; The Home Depot |
| under the Husqvarna brand; and Tractor Supply Company |
| under the Bad Boy brand. The mowers were sold in February 2010 and March 2010 for between $1 |
| 500 and $3 |
| 500. |
Product
Briggs & Stratton Model 40 V-Twin Engine
Description
The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Hazard
Wear on misrouted wiring may cause it to disconnect from the shut-off device, allowing the engine to continue running when the key is in the "OFF" position or when the operator gets off the seat while the mower is engaged, posing an injury hazard to consumers.
Incidents & Injuries
None reported
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using the riding mowers and contact a Briggs & Stratton Authorized Dealer for free inspection and repair. Consumers with affected Craftsman and Husqvarna models were notified by letter from Sears and Briggs & Stratton. Tractor Supply Company has not notified the purchasers of the affected Bad Boy models.
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.