Grass Bag Attachments for MTD electric walk-behind lawn mowers
CPSC Recall #02-219 — August 5, 2002
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 02-219 |
| Recall Date | August 5, 2002 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 5,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Home improvement and mass retailers nationwide |
| including Lowe's |
| sold the recalled lawn mowers from January 2002 through July 2002 for under $200. |
Product
Grass Bag Attachments for MTD electric walk-behind lawn mowers
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), MTD Products Inc., of Cleveland, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling about 5,000 grass bag attachments for its 19-inch electric walk-behind lawn mowers. The lawn mowers have a rear-mounted grass bag that does not seal properly to the rear door of the mower, allowing grass and other debris to be thrown out at the top of the bag. This could result in injury to the operator or bystanders.MTD Products has not received any reports of injuries. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.The recalled grass bags are attachments for MTD electric walk-behind lawn mowers with model numbers 18A-407-000 (red body) and 18A-407-062 (green body). The model numbers can be found on a model plate label on the rear discharge door of the mower. "Yard Machines" is printed on top of the motor shroud.Home improvement and mass retailers nationwide, including Lowe's, sold the recalled lawn mowers from January 2002 through July 2002 for under $200.Consumers who have the recalled lawn mowers should remove and dispose of the old grass bag and contact MTD to receive a free replacement bag. Contact MTD customer service toll-free at (888) 848- 6038 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. For additional information, consumers also can visit the firm's website at www.yardmachines.com.
Hazard
The lawn mowers have a rear-mounted grass bag that does not seal properly to the rear door of the mower, allowing grass and other debris to be thrown out at the top of the bag. This could result in injury to the operator or bystanders.
Incidents & Injuries
MTD Products has not received any reports of injuries.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers who have the recalled lawn mowers should remove and dispose of the old grass bag and contact MTD to receive a free replacement bag.
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.
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.
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.