Coleman Powermate Model PM 3000 electric generators
CPSC Recall #89-001 — January 2, 1989
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 89-001 |
| Recall Date | January 2, 1989 |
| Remedy Type | New Instructions, Repair |
| Units Affected | Some 1,700 |
Product
Coleman Powermate Model PM 3000 electric generators
Description
WASHINGTON -- Repair kits for some 1,700 Powermate Model PM 3000 electric generators sold over the past five years are being offered by Coleman Powermate, Inc. of Kearney, Nebraska to correct a possible fuel line leak which could trigger a fire. In the voluntary recall undertaken in cooperation with the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Coleman Powermate said that vibration from use of the generator can cause the fuel hose to rub against the edge of the engine shroud. If the fuel line ruptures, gasoline will spill and could cause a fire. The firm has received two reports of fuel line rupture, neither of which resulted in fire or personal injury. Coleman Powermate, which is the successor company to Ag-Tronic, Inc., said suspect Model PM 3000 generators were manufactured between December 1983 and September 1988. Model PM 3000 generators bearing serial number 193180 and higher have been corrected at the factory and do not pose the safety problem. Consumers with Model PM 3000 electric generators will receive a repair kit with step-by-step instructions for replacing the existing fuel line hose and engine shroud with a new fuel hose and newly designed engine shroud which will correct the problem. Consumers should call the company at 1-800-445-1805 for a free repair kit or write Coleman Powermate, Inc., 125 Airport Road, Kearney, Nebraska 68848.
Hazard
Vibration from use of the generator can cause the fuel hose to rub against the edge of the engine shroud. If the fuel line ruptures, gasoline will spill and could cause a fire.
Incidents & Injuries
The firm has received two reports of fuel line rupture, neither of which resulted in fire or personal injury.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers with Model PM 3000 electric generators will receive a repair kit with step-by-step instructions for replacing the existing fuel line hose and engine shroud with a new fuel hose and newly designed engine shroud which will correct the problem. Consumers should call the company at 1-800-445-1805 for a free repair kit or write Coleman Powermate, Inc., 125 Airport Road, Kearney, Nebraska 68848.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a New Instructions, 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 (New Instructions, 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.