John Deere 4000 Ten Series Compact Utility Tractors

CPSC Recall #04-527 - December 22, 2003

Recall Summary

Recall Number04-527
Recall DateDecember 22, 2003
Remedy TypeRepair
Units Affected1,700
ManufacturerDeere & Company of Moline, Ill.
Manufactured InUnited States

Where It Was Sold

Authorized John Deere dealers nationwide and in Canada from April 2001 to August 2003 for between $18
000 and $27
000.

Product

John Deere 4000 Ten Series Compact Utility Tractors

Description

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Deere & Company of Moline, Ill. is voluntarily recalling 1,700 John Deere 4000 Ten Series Compact Utility Tractors. An internal failure may occur within the Hydrostatic Transmission preventing the transmission from returning to neutral after the pedals are released. This can allow unexpected movement or cause the tractor to continue moving, creating a possible risk of injury to the operator or a bystander.Name of Product: John Deere 4000 Ten Series Compact Utility TractorsUnits: 1,700Manufacturer: Deere & Company of Moline, Ill.Hazard and Product Description: An internal failure may occur within the Hydrostatic Transmission preventing the transmission from returning to neutral after the pedals are released. This can allow unexpected movement or cause the tractor to continue moving, creating a possible risk of injury to the operator or a bystander. The following model and serial numbers can be found on the serial number plate on the tractor frame:ModelSerial Range4210 CUT with HSTLV4210H220677 through LV4210H2210254310 CUT with HSTLV4310H232267 through LV4310H2336384410 CUT with HSTLV4410H241367 through LV4410H2418214610 CUT with HSTLV4610H260774 through LV4610H2609064710 CUT with HSTLV4710H270806 through LV4710H271286Incidents/Injuries: John Deere is aware of several failures of the transmission with no reported injuries.Sold At: Authorized John Deere dealers nationwide and in Canada from April 2001 to August 2003 for between $18,000 and $27,000.Manufactured In: U.S.A.Remedy: Consumers should stop using their tractors immediately and contact a John Deere dealer for a free repair.Consumer Contact: For more information, contact John Deere's Customer Communications Center on (800) 537-8233, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am until 6:00 pm (Eastern Time), Saturday, 9:00 am until 3:00 pm, or at the John Deere website at www.johndeere.com.

Hazard

An internal failure may occur within the Hydrostatic Transmission preventing the transmission from returning to neutral after the pedals are released. This can allow unexpected movement or cause the tractor to continue moving, creating a possible risk of injury to the operator or a bystander. 

Incidents & Injuries

John Deere is aware of several failures of the transmission with no reported injuries.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using their tractors immediately and contact a John Deere dealer for a free repair.

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.