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Gasoline-Powered Professional Hedge Trimmers

CPSC Recall #04-121 — April 14, 2004

Recall Summary

Recall Number04-121
Recall DateApril 14, 2004
Remedy TypeReplace
Units Affected15,000
ManufacturerShindaiwa Inc., of Tualatin, Ore.
ImporterShindaiwa Inc., of Tualatin, Ore.
Manufactured InJapan

Where It Was Sold

Shindaiwa dealers nationwide from January 2001 through November 2003 for between $369 and $450.

Product

Gasoline-Powered Professional Hedge Trimmers

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Shindaiwa Inc., of Tualatin, Ore., is voluntarily recalling Gasoline-Powered Professional Hedge Trimmers. The muffler's retaining bolts can allow the muffler to come loose from the engine while the hedge trimmer is in operation. A loose muffler can contact and damage the fuel tank creating a fire hazard. More than 59,000 Shindaiwa hedge trimmers were recalled in October 2003 because of a leaking fuel cap.Name of product: Gasoline-Powered Professional Hedge TrimmersUnits: 15,000Manufacturer/Importer: Shindaiwa Inc., of Tualatin, Ore.Hazard: The muffler's retaining bolts can allow the muffler to come loose from the engine while the hedge trimmer is in operation. A loose muffler can contact and damage the fuel tank creating a fire hazard. More than 59,000 Shindaiwa hedge trimmers were recalled in October 2003 because of a leaking fuel cap.Incidents/Injuries: Shindaiwa has received 26 reports of mufflers coming loose and damaging the fuel tank, and one report of a fire that resulted in the operator suffering minor burns.Description: The 30-inch and 40-inch hedge trimmers have red engine covers, a red fuel cap and a label on the recoil starter that reads "Professional Shindaiwa." The recall includes all double-sided professional hedge trimmer models DH 231 and HT 231 with serial numbers up to 110000. The serial numbers are printed on a nameplate on the engine cover.Sold at: Shindaiwa dealers nationwide from January 2001 through November 2003 for between $369 and $450.Manufactured in: JapanRemedy: Stop using these hedge trimmers and return them to an authorized Shindaiwa dealer to have the muffler bolts replaced free of charge.Consumer Contact: Shindaiwa toll-free at (800) 521-7733 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.

Hazard

The muffler's retaining bolts can allow the muffler to come loose from the engine while the hedge trimmer is in operation. A loose muffler can contact and damage the fuel tank creating a fire hazard. More than 59,000 Shindaiwa hedge trimmers were recalled in October 2003 because of a leaking fuel cap.

Incidents & Injuries

Shindaiwa has received 26 reports of mufflers coming loose and damaging the fuel tank, and one report of a fire that resulted in the operator suffering minor burns.

Remedy Instructions

Stop using these hedge trimmers and return them to an authorized Shindaiwa dealer to have the muffler bolts replaced free of charge.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace 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 (Replace) 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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