Ryobi battery-powered and corded lawn mowers
CPSC Recall #95-173 - September 24, 1995
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 95-173 |
| Recall Date | September 24, 1995 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | 20,000 |
Product
Ryobi battery-powered and corded lawn mowers
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - CPSC, Ryobi Outdoor Products Inc. (ROP) of Chandler, Ariz., is voluntarily recalling for repair 20,000 battery-powered and corded lawn mowers. The mower's starter button may stick in the 'on' position, and as a result, consumers could be injured by the moving mower blade. ROP has received nine reports of finger laceration injuries that occurred when the starter button was stuck in the on position. The walk-behind lawn mowers are gray and have a black data plate, which includes the serial number, on the rear of the mower. This recall includes Ryobi Mulchinator Models BMM2400 and CMM1200 with a ten-digit serial number with the last four digits ranging from 9240 through 9352. The lawnmowers were sold nationwide in home and garden centers and hardware stores from January 1993 through 1994 for $350 to $400 each. Consumers owning the recalled mowers, or those who are unsure if their mower is covered by the recall, should call (800) 345-8746 between 9am-7pm EST Monday through Friday for information on where to take the mower for repair free of charge. Consumers should always follow instructions in the owner's manual and remove the ignition key/circuit breaker or extension cord when the mower is not in use. Under no circumstances should hands or feet be placed under or near the mowing deck when the ignition key or extension cord is plugged in.
Hazard
The mower's starter button may stick in the 'on' position, and as a result, consumers could be injured by the moving mower blade.
Incidents & Injuries
ROP has received nine reports of finger laceration injuries that occurred when the starter button was stuck in the on position.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers owning the recalled mowers, or those who are unsure if their mower is covered by the recall, should call (800) 345-8746 between 9am-7pm EST Monday through Friday for information on where to take the mower for repair free of charge.
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.