Power Clear 180 Single Stage Snow Blowers

CPSC Recall #10-299 — July 13, 2010

Recall Summary

Recall Number10-299
Recall DateJuly 13, 2010
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 35,700 in the United States and 2,300 in Canada
ManufacturerThe Toro Company, of Bloomington, Minn.
Manufactured InUnited States

Where It Was Sold

Toro dealers and The Home Depot stores nationwide from November 2009 through May 2010 for between $400 and $440.

Product

Power Clear 180 Single Stage Snow Blowers

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.Name of product: Power Clear 180 Single Stage Snow BlowersUnits: About 35,700 in the United States and 2,300 in CanadaManufacturer: The Toro Company, of Bloomington, Minn.Hazard: Exposure to ethanol in gasoline can cause the carburetor needle to become corroded. A corroded needle can stick in the open position and allow fuel to leak from the carburetor, posing a fire hazard to consumers.Incidents/Injuries: Toro has received 2,200 reports of carburetor leaks. No fires or injuries have been reported.Description: This recall involves Toro® Power Clear 180 Single Stage snow blowers. The recalled snow blowers have model numbers 38272 and 38282. Serial numbers included in the recall range from 310000001 through 310999999. The model and serial number can be found on a decal on the lower right side of the snow blower.Sold at: Toro dealers and The Home Depot stores nationwide from November 2009 through May 2010 for between $400 and $440.Manufactured in: U.S.A.Remedy: Consumers should immediately check to see if their snow blowers are included in this recall and contact an authorized Toro service dealer to arrange a free repair. To obtain the location of the nearest dealer, consumers should contact Toro.Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Toro toll-free at (877) 738-4440 between 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.toro.com.

Hazard

Exposure to ethanol in gasoline can cause the carburetor needle to become corroded. A corroded needle can stick in the open position and allow fuel to leak from the carburetor, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents & Injuries

Toro has received 2,200 reports of carburetor leaks. No fires or injuries have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should immediately check to see if their snow blowers are included in this recall and contact an authorized Toro service dealer to arrange a free repair. To obtain the location of the nearest dealer, consumers should contact Toro.

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.

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.