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Makita Circular Saws

CPSC Recall #03-053 - December 18, 2002

Recall Summary

Recall Number03-053
Recall DateDecember 18, 2002
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 180,000

Where It Was Sold

Home centers
hardware stores and industrial suppliers nationwide sold the circular saws from April 1998 to November 2002 for between $99 and $119.

Product

Makita Circular Saws

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, (CPSC), Makita U.S.A. Inc., of La Mirada, Calif., is recalling about 180,000 circular saws. The lower blade guard of the saw can become jammed, which can result in the consumer coming in contact with the blade and suffering a serious injury. Makita U.S.A. Inc. has not received any reports of incidents. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.The recall involves 7 1/4-inch circular saws with the model number 5740NB. The model number is located on the silver nameplate next to the name "Makita." The saw's housing is blue-green and the name "Makita" appears on the metal blade guard and silver nameplate on the motor housing. The recalled saws were manufactured in China. Home centers, hardware stores and industrial suppliers nationwide sold the circular saws from April 1998 to November 2002 for between $99 and $119.Consumers should stop using the circular saws immediately and return them to the nearest Makita factory service center for a free repair. For more information on how to return the saw or to locate the nearest Makita factory service center, consumers should contact Makita U.S.A. Inc. at (800) 462-5482 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.Any 5740NB circular saws with an "N" preceding the serial number on the nameplate and a blue dot on the shipping carton are not involved in this recall.

Hazard

The lower blade guard of the saw can become jammed, which can result in the consumer coming in contact with the blade and suffering a serious injury.

Incidents & Injuries

Makita U.S.A. Inc. has not received any reports of incidents. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the circular saws immediately and return them to the nearest Makita factory service center 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.

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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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