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Craftsman Lawn Mowers

CPSC Recall #02-535 — May 6, 2002

Recall Summary

Recall Number02-535
Recall DateMay 6, 2002
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 900

Where It Was Sold

Sears sold these riding lawn mowers nationwide from February 2002 to April 2002 for about $999.

Product

Craftsman Lawn Mowers

Description

PRODUCT: Riding Lawn Mower - Sears Roebuck and Co. of Hoffman Estates, Ill. is voluntarily recalling about 900 riding lawn mowers. The recall involves model number 247.270250, which is visible on the model plate of the machine located under the seat. The name Craftsman Lawn Utility Vehicle appears on the side of the mower. The recalled mower is green, has a 24" cutting deck, a 6.75 horsepower mid-mount engine, and a rear utility bed. Sears sold these riding lawn mowers nationwide from February 2002 to April 2002 for about $999.PROBLEM: Under certain operating conditions, the vehicle's transmission may fail causing a loss of drive and brake ability. Should this occur, the potential for personal injury and/or property damage exists.INCIDENTS/INJURIES: None reported.WHAT TO DO: Consumers should stop using their riding lawn mowers immediately and contact Sears at (800) 659-5917 to schedule an appointment to have a free new transmission installed. For more information, consumers can contact Sears at (800) 500-1067 weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. CST. Purchasers were notified by direct mail notification.

Hazard

Under certain operating conditions, the vehicle's transmission may fail causing a loss of drive and brake ability. Should this occur, the potential for personal injury and/or property damage exists.

Incidents & Injuries

None reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using their riding lawn mowers immediately and contact Sears at (800) 659-5917 to schedule an appointment to have a free new transmission installed.

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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